Free from shame

Shame is a common emotion that many people experience, and it can sometimes be debilitating. Shame can manifest in many ways and can be caused by a variety of factors such as past experiences, past actions, or even societal expectations. 

Reducing Shame with Cognitive Therapy 

Cognitive therapy can be an effective treatment for reducing shame by helping you to  identify and change negative thoughts and beliefs about yourself.  Shame often leads to a negative self-image, which can be difficult to overcome. You may feel ashamed of your emotions, of your action, of your thoughts. Thinking you must be the only one who is this weird/twisted/embarrassing/stupid etc.  You might feel powerlessness, distrust, worthlessness or even physical pain.
You might shrink down, feel a knot in your stomach, feel flustered and experience as something is weighing heavily on your chest. 

Just like guilt and resentment, shame is a learned emotion intended to keep us alive.  When a child develops mobility and starts to explore the world they learn to be ashamed of their actions.  The oven is hot and the child knows it, they might get closer to it saying, hothothothot, looking for a confirmation from the caregiver.
They either touch it and might get reprimanded or get a verbal confirmation of the danger and are directed towards safer points of interest. When getting reprimanded they learn but also experience shame for causing disappointment.  These little incidents happen multiple times and teach us to stay safe. They can just as easily turn into self destructive and debilitating thought patterns which no longer keeps us away from harm’s way, but merely keep us away from everything.

Old Sins Cast Long Shadows

We can also carry with us a generational shame, planted to us by society or our family.  By identifying and labeling shame you can begin to feel better about yourself and live more freely without carrying the weight of the past generations on your shoulders.

Reframing Past Experiences

Past experiences can often contribute to feelings of shame. We will examine and  reframe past experiences by exploring different perspectives and finding more positive interpretations. This can help you feel more empowered and in touch with your shame. Where does it come from? What triggers it? How does it feel in your body?

Shame can be a difficult emotion to navigate, but cognitive therapy can be an effective treatment for reducing feelings caused by shame. By identifying negative thoughts and beliefs, challenging them, developing positive self-talk, and reframing past experiences, you can overcome shame and build a healthier self-image. 

If you are struggling with shame, it may be helpful to speak with a therapist who specializes in cognitive therapy. With the right support, you can overcome shame.