Shame can occur when we feel judged by others or when we judge ourselves. It can happen when we do something wrong and when we’re entirely innocent of wrongdoing. Whenever we feel bad about ourselves, for whatever reason, there is a touch of shame.

Shame makes us go small, go silent, or go away. Ironically, shame itself is not the problem. The problem is that there is often no one home to work with shame.

Self-compassion is the antidote to shame. In this 3-hour workshop, we’ll take a unique, non-pathological look at shame through the eyes of self-compassion.

After learning about the theory and research on shame, you will have an opportunity to explore the personal and cultural causes of shame in your own life within the context of self-compassion, then to resource yourself in the midst of shame as it arises in the moment.

At the completion of this activity, participants will:

1. Explain the theory and research on shame and self-compassion.
2. Describe how self-compassion is an antidote to shame - the 3 paradoxes of shame.
3. Identify personal childhood and cultural disconnections that lead to shame.
4. Apply new self-compassion practices to relieve the burden of shame in daily life.

CE credits are available, see below for more information.