The Moulding Health show explores self-discovery and healing through the insights of healthcare practitioners, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach to mental health. In a recent episode, Dr. Jess Walker defines the shame meaning and discusses the complex emotion of shame, differentiating it from guilt and highlighting its profound impact on therapy. The conversation delves into the nature of shame, its roots in childhood experiences, and its effects on relationships and self-esteem. Dr. Walker stresses the importance of addressing shame directly in therapeutic settings to facilitate healing and personal growth. The episode also touches on coping mechanisms like self-harm, the significance of vulnerability, and the role of therapists in guiding clients through intense emotional experiences. Overall, the discussion underscores the necessity of compassion, understanding, and a holistic approach to therapy in overcoming shame and trauma.
1. Introduction
The Moulding Health show serves as a platform for exploring mental health issues through the insights of healthcare practitioners. In a recent episode, Dr. Jess Walker, a counselling psychologist, gave insight on shame meaning and delves into the complex emotion of shame, its implications in therapy, and how it affects individuals’ lives. This article synthesizes the key points discussed in the episode, emphasizing the importance of addressing shame in therapeutic settings and its impact on mental health.
1.1 Shame meaning and the role of shame in therapy
Shame is nothing but a complex and universal emotion that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. People often confuse shame with guilt, yet the two emotions are not the same. Guilt typically relates to specific actions or behaviors—feeling awful about something one has done, such as cheating on an exam. In contrast, shame is a deeper, more internalized feeling about oneself, leading to a perception of being a negative person or feeling fundamentally flawed. For example, after cheating, one might feel guilty for the action but shame for being a “bad” or “disgusting” person.
People often avoid discussing shame because it is a painful and awkward emotion that they experience viscerally and can manifest physically. This avoidance can be particularly pronounced in therapeutic settings, where clients may find it challenging to confront their feelings of shame. Therapists may also skirt around the topic, which can hinder effective treatment and prevent clients from addressing core issues.
The significance of shame in therapy is profound. Therapists need to engage with shame directly rather than merely acknowledging it in passing. By doing so, they can help clients process and understand their feelings, leading to deeper healing and resolution of underlying issues. The speaker, who has a keen interest in shame and has researched it extensively, emphasizes the importance of addressing this emotion in therapy to facilitate meaningful progress.
1.2 Temporary vs. Prolonged Shame
There are two types of shame: temporary and prolonged. Often associated with specific events, temporary shame dissipates quickly, making it manageable. On the other hand, prolonged shame has deep roots and frequently originates from traumatic experiences like childhood abuse. This type of shame can be challenging to address, requiring a patient process of self-exploration, trust in therapeutic relationships, and the cultivation of self-compassion. Transforming prolonged shame into a healthier self-perception can take months or even years.
2. Background
2.1 Awareness of Internal Struggles
Many individuals grapple with internal issues that affect their relationships and job performance, often without recognizing the root causes. Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or avoidance of intimacy may stem from past experiences that have planted seeds of shame. Therapy can help uncover these underlying issues, revealing connections between present struggles and past experiences.
2.2 Precursors to Shame
Shame can arise from various precursors beyond early childhood trauma and narcissistic parenting. Factors such as insecure attachments to caregivers can lead to confusion about self-worth. Children who experience abuse may internalize the belief that they are inherently bad, perpetuating feelings of worthlessness into adulthood. These unresolved feelings can manifest in behaviours aimed at protecting oneself from perceived exposure of flaws, reinforcing shame.
2.3 Shame and Confidence in Transitional Life Stages
Shame significantly impacts confidence during transitional life stages, such as starting work or university. Adolescents exploring their identities may encounter experiences that evoke shame, which can undermine self-worth. While mild shame can be manageable, deeper, toxic shame can create emotional struggles, making it harder to build confidence. Conversely, individuals who experience only mild shame may develop resilience and navigate their feelings more effectively.
3. Analysis
3.1 Vulnerability and Decision-Making
Vulnerability and shame play critical roles in decision-making and personal growth. Acknowledging vulnerability is essential for confronting deep-seated shame, which can be daunting. Therapy provides a safe space for individuals to explore their feelings without fear of judgment, allowing them to gradually build trust and express their vulnerabilities.
3.2 Impact of Negative Parental Feedback
Negative parental feedback can significantly impact a child’s self-esteem, shaping their emotional responses and coping mechanisms. When parents are unresponsive, children may internalize the belief that their feelings are invalid, leading to unhealthy coping strategies. This lack of positive emotional modelling can hinder their ability to navigate emotions healthily in adulthood.
3.3 Self-Harm as a Coping Strategy
Self-harm can serve as a coping strategy for individuals dealing with overwhelming emotions like shame. It provides immediate relief by allowing individuals to focus on physical pain as a distraction from emotional turmoil. However, while self-harm may offer temporary relief, it does not address underlying issues and can lead to more dangerous behaviours over time.
3.4 Detachment and Dissociation
Detachment and dissociation are coping mechanisms that help individuals cope with trauma. These responses allow individuals to escape the pain of their experiences. Therapists work with clients to connect their emotional and rational brains, helping them process trauma and develop healthier coping strategies.
4. Insights
4.1 The Role of Counselling Psychologists
Counselling psychologists provide support to individuals facing various levels of distress and difficulties by utilizing a range of therapeutic approaches grounded in psychological theories and evidence. Counselling psychologists receive training in various modalities such as psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), compassion-focused therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), which enables them to customize their approaches to meet the individual needs of each client.
People might seek the help of counselling psychologists for various reasons, such as dealing with relationship issues, processing traumatic experiences, or developing coping strategies for anxiety and depression. Additionally, counselling psychologists may work with organizations to enhance understanding of human behaviour and create trauma-informed environments. Overall, their broad training and understanding of human experience enable them to address both individual and organizational challenges effectively.
Understanding the dynamics of shame is crucial when approaching individuals dealing with issues like substance abuse. High levels of shame can influence behaviours, particularly among men, where societal expectations may lead to aggressive responses. Individuals may react to shame through anger or withdrawal, and some may appear to function well on the surface while struggling internally with self-worth.
4.2 Transitioning After Intense Therapy Sessions
Therapists help clients transition back to normal life after intense therapy sessions by focusing on several key strategies. First, they work to disentangle the different emotional parts within the client, such as feelings of shame, to help them recognize that these emotions are just parts of their experience rather than their entire identity. This process can be complex, especially in the early stages of therapy.
Therapists also emphasize the importance of developing a “soothing system,” which allows clients to manage their emotional responses more effectively. Many clients may be stuck in a “threat system,” where they are hypervigilant and overwhelmed by negative emotions, making it difficult for them to think clearly or soothe themselves. Therapists guide clients in recognizing when they are entering this threat state and teach them self-soothing techniques, such as deep breathing, to help them regain a sense of calm.
Additionally, therapists acknowledge that clients may have learned maladaptive coping strategies, such as self-harm, and work to address these feelings without instilling shame. They provide a supportive environment where clients can explore their emotions and learn emotional literacy, which is crucial for self-soothing. Overall, therapists aim to equip clients with the resources and skills necessary to navigate their emotions and challenges outside of therapy. They recognize that this process takes time and cannot be rushed. They strive to ensure that clients leave sessions feeling safe and supported rather than overwhelmed or dissociated.
5. Conclusion
In summary, the discussion highlights the complexities of shame and its profound impact on mental health and personal development. It emphasizes the importance of addressing shame in therapeutic settings, recognizing its roots in past experiences, and understanding its effects on self-esteem and relationships. The speaker advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to therapy, integrating various therapeutic techniques and support systems to foster healing and self-compassion. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the necessity of compassion, empathy, and collaboration in helping individuals navigate their struggles with shame and trauma, paving the way for personal growth and recovery.
If you are a healthcare practitioner struggling to get a practice number for your private practice then the below article would help you.
We know transitioning to private practice and managing all the administrative tasks might be daunting. If you need help with medical billing software or practice management software, check the below article.