What is emotional ventilation?

n. in psychotherapy and counseling, a client's full and free expression of feelings or emotions, especially in session.

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In respect to this, how do you know if someone is emotionally dumping you?

Emotions. When someone is emotionally dumping on you, they are usually not dumping positive situations or feelings onto you. The stuff that they tell you about tends to involve some sort of negative situation, or it's a negative rant about someone. So effectively, they are also passing on their negative emotions to you Correspondingly, what is toxic venting? What is Toxic Venting? Toxic venting feels like an attack on someone's character. Whether you are the one venting, or you're listening to someone else do it, this communication makes the other person out to be "the bad guy." This type of bad-mouthing becomes an intense form of gossip.

How do you tell someone to stop venting to you?

Try something like, "I want to be there for you, but I'm unable to support you today in the way that you need," and maybe even follow up with another date or time that's less busy.