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In order to regulate emotions, it is necessary to first figure out what emotion (or emotions) we are feeling. Once the emotion is identified, it can be processed. We use clues from our internal and external experience including thoughts (interpretations), body sensations, urges, body language, behavior, past experience, and emotions to help identify the emotion and put a name to it.
Once the emotion is identified, it can be processed. It is true that some of the same tools for identifying an emotion are used to process the emotion. Things to consider when processing emotions include, identifying a prompting event, interpreting the event, evaluating the validity of the interpretation, identifying alternative interpretations, considering other times when we experienced the emotion, and arriving at an alternative thought.