Clinical Director Footprints to Recovery elgin, Illinois
Session Description: Shame and Guilt rob us of our ability to hold compassion for ourselves. These emotional experiences that many individuals with substance use and mental health disorders experience act as barrier to one's recovery journey. There are numerous factors that contribute to the emotional experience of shame and leave one feeling disconnected from themselves and the world around them. This powerful emotional experience has the ability to impact the trajectory of an individual's life if it is left unaddressed. Shame can be the very glue that keeps one stuck in a lifestyle that that makes facing each new day overwhelming. At the same time, it is very challenging for the individual to hold any space for self-compassion when shame is present. The only space held when shame is present is the idea "I am not enough." The presentation will focus on the power of shame and how it is formed, the influence over one's actions and beliefs and how to support and guide individuals in the journey of developing a sense of compassion for themselves in the process.
Learning Objectives:
After this activity participants should be able to
Attendees will gain awareness on how to assess the role of attachment styles and relational experiences impact the development of shame.
Assess the relationship between shame and substance use. Describe internal and external messages that reinforce shame.
Attendees will identify what self-compassion is and how it can be applied to alleviate shame. Attendees will conduct exercises to reduce the impact of shame on client's sense of self.
