Shame - the toxic emotion
| Adelaide
Shame is painful, hard-wired, rapid response, primitive emotion. It is often activated by the loss of relationship connection or threat of demotion or exclusion. Being an emotional experience that can be intensely painful, shame has the capacity to negatively impact self worth and how a person relates to others. The experience of toxic, maladaptive shame is so destructive, it is closely associated with most major mental health issues including depression, body image and eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, violence , social anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress and suicide. Yet the pain and embarrassment associated with this experience of shame drives it underground where it is suppressed, denied or managed in a way that creates even more distress to self and others.
In recent years the communal norm to hide and avoid shame is being exposed alongside a growing recognition of the importance of naming, understanding and therapeutically treating shame. Shame is seen as a dominant and common experience clients bring to counselling and an underlying reason why many seek therapeutic help. Yet, addressing shame directly with clients is difficult as most clients are either reluctant to talk about their shame or are unaware of it, which leaves it up to the practitioner to approach. If shame is not approached and addressed, it is legitimised.
This workshop aims to discuss and address shame in a practical way by exploring several fundamental themes;
What is Shame?
- Causes
- Shame’s evolutionary relational purpose
- Recognising the difference between shame and guilt
- Social-cultural context of shame
- External and internal shame
- Intergenerational shame
What role does power have in Shame?
- Shame’s association with the misuse of power
How do clients manage their shame?
- Hiding, denying and living with shame
How can practitioners respond?
- Recognising our own shame and appropriate use of power
- Engaging and supporting clients in addressing shame