The Five Core Feelings You Were Never Taught to Trust
Reclaiming Emotional Authority in Atlanta and DC Psychotherapy Groups
Don’t let negative emotions control your life.
Take the first step toward emotional mastery with Dr. Scott Conkright.
Contact us at (404) 315-7150 or HERE to schedule your therapy session.
Most of us were taught to mistrust the very feelings that make us human. In Affect Relational Theory (A.R.T.), I focus on five core feelings: affective responses that guide emotional life before we even have language.
These feelings are fast, embodied, and relational. But when ignored or shamed, they become barriers to connection and vitality. Whether you’re seeking therapy groups in Atlanta or Washington, D.C., or joining virtual group therapy for emotional healing, understanding these five feelings can change your life.
1. Interest – The Spark You Suppressed
Interest is what makes you lean in. It fuels learning, love, and attention. But many people were told they were “too much,” “too curious,” or needed to stay in line.
In group therapy for men with ADHD or emotional avoidance, reclaiming interest means reclaiming your inner compass.
2. Enjoyment – The Feeling You Were Shamed For
Enjoyment is the smile that rises before you realize it. It’s the nervous system’s way of saying, “This is good.” But in strict or anxious families, joy was often viewed as disruptive.
In therapy for depression and trauma, learning to trust joy is radical. In support groups in D.C. and Atlanta, enjoyment becomes a safe feeling again.
3. Sadness – The Feeling That Opens the Heart
Sadness allows you to honor what matters. But when you had no one to comfort you, sadness became something to fear.
In group therapy for grief and loss, sadness becomes a bridge to belonging.
4. Anger – The Feeling That Sets Boundaries
Anger tells you something isn’t right. But if you grew up in chaos or fear, anger felt like danger. In A.R.T., anger is re-understood as clarity.
In group therapy for boundaries, conflict, and trauma, anger becomes assertiveness. It becomes agency.
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5. Fear – The Feeling That Seeks Safety
Fear keeps you alive. But if your environment punished fear, you learned to override it. That creates anxiety and disconnection.
In online therapy groups for trauma survivors, fear is allowed to exist, be witnessed, and then evolve into courage.
Rediscover Your Core Feelings. Wherever You Are
If you’ve felt emotionally stuck, numb, or unsure of who you are, chances are your core feelings have been muted.
I offer group therapy for shame recovery, anxiety, and emotional literacy in Atlanta, D.C., and online. These groups are safe, innovative, and rooted in the science of core feelings.
Schedule your free consultation today or explore available therapy groups near you.
Join Our Group Therapy Sessions
Learn how to recognize and manage your affects with Dr. Scott Conkright’s expert guidance. Schedule a therapy session today by calling (404) 315-7150 or visiting HERE.
