Shame
Shame is a word we avoid even thinking about if we can, yet all of us experience it at least sometime in our life and many of us carry unacknowledged shame around giving it different names such as embarrassment, guilt, self-blame, and others. We all know the dreadful experience of suddenly being awash in shameful feelings as they cascade through our bodies. Still, our first defense against it is to bury it as quickly as possible. When we take this path, shame gains power. The very energy we use to push it away, gives it the control it has over us and its ability to threaten our equilibrium.
For the past eight years I have studied with Bret Lyon, PhD and Sheila Ruben, LMFT (healingshame.com) in Berkeley. They have developed a series of courses that I have participated in many times to become certified in helping clients explore shame and get free of its painful grip. This is very delicate work and we approach it with compassion and patience, both with ourselves and with the buried shame. We move as slowly as is needed to engage this feeling. It is important to recognize that shame is used both to teach us socially (so we learn how to be a kind and thoughtful person) and in a toxic way that sits inside us, poisoning our self-esteem. I have learned many approaches that help to let the toxic shame go. Together we can find a way that works for you using the safety of our therapy relationship and the strengths and skills you already have to release this unnecessary burden and be free of it. We will take our time until you can feel truly ready to do this work. Contact me for a free half-hour consultation. |
Trauma
People with a history of trauma have been tremendously challenged. Adaptations you have made to deal with trauma in your life are often your great strengths as well as sometimes your most persistent weaknesses.
Additionally, trauma usually creates some negative beliefs about yourself or about others that may hinder your growth and your relationships. It is important to explore these and other aspects of trauma so you can gain a clearer awareness about them. Our therapy moves gently between traumatic events, beliefs, and adaptations. We evaluate our work together so we can maintain a pace and the degree of safety that works for you. I am constantly amazed by the pearls within themselves my clients discover or recover doing trauma work. 
Contact me for a free half-hour consultation.
Phone: 707-494-4198 Email: gailvb13@gmail.com |
