Shame’s Opposite: An Exploration of Pride’s Healing Power

A child of four runs around the house, flying a towel above his naked body like a sail, shouting “I’m MEEEE!” Arms flung wide, he knows no shame…and why should he? In his home, there is the safety and love of adoring parents. What should we call what he is experiencing? Arrogance does not come… Continue Reading Shame’s Opposite: An Exploration of Pride’s Healing Power

Be Easy on Yourself – Releasing Shame through Imperfection

In the 50’s, the prevailing belief concerning crying infants was that, if you picked them up whenever they cried, you’d be spoiling them, teaching them to complain in order to get their needs met. The results? Adults all too often incapable of soothing themselves without chemical dependency or distraction. Adults resistant to asking for help,… Continue Reading Be Easy on Yourself – Releasing Shame through Imperfection

Shame Part 2: Psychological Perfectionism

Inappropriate… Don’t you love the word? It says everything and nothing. Of course, we therapists love to weigh in on our own versions of what’s appropriate – what’s acceptable to thought or behavior. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a dirty word, used far more in our profession to hurt, to shame, then to help.… Continue Reading Shame Part 2: Psychological Perfectionism

Identifying and Releasing Shame

Shame on you. Wow. Just notice how those three little words can ruin a good day. Feel them in your body, and observe how your physical self cringes. And yet, for every external message of shame we receive, how many more do we deliver to ourselves? In order to heal our shame, we must understand… Continue Reading Identifying and Releasing Shame