Feelings Class #1 - What Is a Feeling?

$33

What Is a Feeling? Video Course

Class 1 of the Fear of Feelings Series with Sky Kershner, MSW, DMin

You know that moment when someone you care about says they're "fine" and you can see they're anything but?

Or when they describe being "upset" about something that clearly triggered anger, sadness, or fear?

Have you ever given someone a compliment, only to have them brush it off, unable to feel healthy pride in their accomplishment?

Have you ever done this yourself?

Feelings can be tricky

We all know that feeling feelings isn't always easy for us humans. Sometimes we say things like "I hate to feel sad" or "I don't like to get angry," - and then what happens when those emotions show up anyway?

Maybe you feel the feeling, but if you're like me and most people, you might also get anxious or try to avoid the feeling.

How is it for you when someone gives you a compliment? Do you brush it away? Do you get anxious? I know I do.

Or I used to.

What You Get in This Course

Video 1: Introduction (15 minutes) My opening lecture setting up the groundwork for understanding emotions

Video 2: Emotions Are in the Body (12 minutes) A fun and illuminating collection of photos showing emotions in action - people, babies, even dogs experiencing feelings - and narrated by me. You'll never look at emotional expression the same way.

Video 3: The Full Class Experience (90+ minutes) The complete live session from November 21, 2025, including:

How I developed Emotion-Focused MI
What comes first - feelings or thoughts?
Group discussions and real questions from participants
New video examples that bring the concepts to life
All the spontaneous insights that happen when people get together to learn

Video 4: AI for MI Practice Tutorial (5 minutes) This course includes free use of my AI for MI practice tools, including one on reflecting the client's feelings based on attention to what's happening in their body.

What's in the Course Video

This course will help us understand what's going on when emotions feel difficult - when we brush off compliments, get overwhelmed by sadness, are trying not to blow up with anger, or find ourselves saying "I don't know how I feel about that."

What You'll Come Away With: Our Goals

A clearer understanding of what feelings actually are (and aren't)
Less anxiety when emotions get big - yours or someone else's
Deeper, more authentic relationships when you're comfortable with emotions
Tools for staying present instead of rushing to fix or avoid feelings
Freedom from emotional perfectionism and having all the answers

Instead of tiptoeing around emotions (yours and others'), you'll have a chance to show up more fully in relationships. Instead of anxiety when someone gets upset, you'll have a better chance to be curious. Instead of rushing to make feelings go away, you'll have a better chance to be present with what's actually happening.

The big picture is about becoming someone who can be trusted with emotions - starting with your own.

Who Is This For

Anyone who is curious and interested in understanding human emotions better, so that anxiety and avoidance of feelings do not add to suffering in your relationships.

Anyone who is in a caring relationship with another person - whether you're a parent or a partner, learning to be comfortable relating with others on an emotional level will help you have better relationships.

Professionals who are interested in being more effective by developing empathy and fluency in the client-centered skills of Motivational Interviewing.

Watch Anytime

Watch at your own pace, pause when you need to breathe, replay the parts that resonate.

Want to Join the Live Class?

It's Not Too Late! If you want to experience the class live and in real time, you can still register for the remaining sessions. Take this course first, so you will know what is going onn and then you can jump in on the next class live. Here's more info.

Ready to Start? Let's Go!

This class is part of the Fear of Feelings video series, which is the starting point for Emotion-Focused Motivational Interviewing. It's the first in the series and is recommended before the next class. Each class stands alone, but they build on each other like conversations that matter.

A word about me

I'm an Associate Professor at WVU School of Medicine, where I teach Motivational Interviewing and Psychodynamics. I'm also a person in recovery, so learning to understand feelings has been part of my own journey. As one of 95 MINT Certified Trainers worldwide, I've also spent years in conversations with people as they consider making hard decisions about what to do with their lives.

This course builds on my developing work in Emotion-Focused Motivational Interviewing, which I've presented at international conferences in New Zealand, San Diego, and Minneapolis, as well as online.

For more of on learning Emotion-Focused MI, go to Everyday MI.

Sky Kershner, DMin, MSW, LPC
MINT Certified Trainer, WVU School of Medicine
Creator of the Everyday MI community

I want this!

Watch link provided after purchase

Testimonials:

"I've experienced every emotion in the last eight sessions that we talked about and I've allowed myself to sit with them without judgment (not an easy task). And I feel lighter knowing that my typical amygdala response doesn't have to be the deciding factor in how my emotion is acted out."

“This class is teaching how we can honor our feelings AND pause and think about what to do with those feelings.”

“Thank you for your openness and vulnerability, it invites the same. Your groups and classes are becoming more and more important to me. I sometimes feel like I am on an “emotion island” in a sea of people who don’t want to or don’t know how to be present to their feelings. It is so life affirming to be in a group that cares so much about empathic conversations, learning and growing.“

“The video resources were really good. It makes it real for me.”

“This course gave me a clearer understanding of how difficulties in experiencing and expressing emotions can create barriers in our internal experiences and relationships. Sky fosters a safe and engaging space to learn how emotional and bodily awareness can enhance conversations and empower change. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to better understand the role of emotions in their clients' experiences and improve their ability to support meaningful change.”