Phase 1: Allowing one’s emotions to exist This first step—allowing one’s emotions to exist and to be seen—is also the first phase of emotion processing. It is easy to mistake a self-regulated or emotionally regulated person for someone who has processed emotions. Likewise, someone who has suppressed their emotions can be easily mistaken as self-regulated or emotionally regulated. Just because you’re regulated doesn’t mean you’ve processed emotions. Emotion processing is one’s ability to experience and integrate emotions.
