In Yalom's therapeutic factors, which one addresses the relief gained from expressing suppressed emotions?

The correct answer is the concept of catharsis, which pertains to the emotional release that occurs when individuals express feelings that have been previously suppressed or unprocessed. Catharsis is a crucial therapeutic factor because it can lead to a sense of relief, clarity, and healing. By articulating these emotions, individuals often experience a reduction in psychological distress, allowing them to confront and process their feelings in a supportive environment.

In therapeutic settings, particularly in group therapy as described by Yalom, catharsis can enhance emotional understanding and integration of personal experiences. This process fosters healing by enabling participants to confront emotions that may have been bottled up, promotes self-awareness, and can create a sense of connection among group members as they share similar experiences.

While the other concepts like altruism, belongingness, and socialization skills play important roles in therapeutic contexts, they do not specifically focus on the release of suppressed emotions. Altruism involves selfless concern for others and can build a supportive community, belongingness relates to the human need for social connectedness and acceptance, and socialization skills refer to the ability to interact effectively in social situations. Each of these factors contributes to the therapeutic process, yet they do not specifically address the expression of suppressed emotions in the same