Shame-related states of mind in psychotherapy

Current theory on self-conscious emotions emphasizes the importance of shame-related phenomena in psychopathology and psychotherapy. An appreciation of manifestations of shame in psychotherapy greatly deepens our ability to connect with and understand our patients' experience. The relative salience of the shame-prone patient's devalued-self or devaluing-other internalizations will have critical importance in the psychotherapy setting, guiding the types of interventions and stances that are most helpful. Knowledge of some predictable shame-related transactions involving envy, blaming, or overzealous probing can help the psychotherapist preempt mobilization of unnecessary levels of shame in treatment.