How Can I Heal Shame? Here are 4 Ways Psychotherapy can Help!

Shame is a powerful, overwhelming and painful emotion that can have a significant impact on our mental health and well-being. In psychotherapy, one of the most important tasks in healing shame is to create a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their feelings of shame and work towards healing them. 💔

Here are some strategies that can be helpful in healing shame in therapy:

1. Normalize the experience of shame: It's important for your therapist to help you understand that experiencing shame is a common human experience and that you’re not alone in your feelings. Normalizing the experience of shame can help us to reduce the intensity of this distressing emotion and help us to feel more comfortable sharing our experiences
2. Identify the root causes of shame: It's important to explore the underlying beliefs, experiences, and messages that contribute to our feelings of shame. Often, shame is rooted in early childhood experiences or negative messages that we’ve internalized over time. By identifying the root causes of shame, we can begin to shift our beliefs and perceptions about ourselves.
   
3. Engage in self-compassion: Shame often involves harsh self-criticism and a sense of worthlessness. Learning how to be more self-compassionate can help us to develop a more positive and accepting relationship with ourselves. This can involve speaking to ourselves with kindness, treating ourselves as we would a good friend, and to recognizing that we are all worthy of love and acceptance (especially from ourselves!).
   
4. Use experiential techniques: Experiential techniques such as internal family systems, inner child work, art therapy, somatic therapy, etc. can be helpful in healing shame. Using visualization, mindfulness, creativity and movement, can help us to explore and process our emotions in a safe and supportive environment, allowing us to release these feelings of shame and develop a more positive sense of self.

Ultimately, healing shame in therapy requires a compassionate and collaborative approach that empowers us to explore our emotions, challenge negative beliefs, and develop a more positive and accepting relationship with ourselves. Psychotherapy and counselling can equip you with the tools and support you need to heal from shame and move towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life. 💫


-Kristie & the Team 🌈