Putting Feelings Into Words: Affect Labeling Disrupts Amygdala Activity in Response to Affective Stimuli

fMRI study in adults: labeling the emotion in a face ("affect labeling") reduced amygdala response to negative stimuli and increased right ventrolateral prefrontal activity, relative to non-affective labeling. Mechanistic basis often cited for "name it to tame it." Note: sample is adults, not children; reduction is partial, not elimination of feeling.