Unearthing Shame: How Sandtray Therapy Helps Us Confront Our Deepest Emotion

In this eye-opening episode, your host Donna Mirus guides you through the labyrinthine landscape of shame—a complex, yet often misunderstood emotion. Drawing from the work of Brené Brown, an expert on vulnerability, empathy, and shame, we dig deep into what shame really means and how it affects both individuals and the relationships around them. This episode is packed with insights that will arm mental health professionals with tools to help their clients face their shame through Sandtray Therapy.

Introduction

• Welcome back and quick updates on recent sandtray trainings in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• Brief orientation for new listeners.

Understanding Shame

• Definition and distinctions from guilt.
• How shame manifests in behaviors and conditions like addiction, aggression, and depression.

Brené Brown's Work

• Exploring the "Shame Shields"—the defense mechanisms people use to protect themselves from shame.

Application in Sandtray Therapy

• Initial sessions in sandtray aimed at teaching healthy coping.
• Methods to help clients identify their shame shields in the sandtray.

Building Shame Resilience

• Steps in teaching your clients to combat shame.

Back to Basics

• Miniature collection essentials and their significance in treating shame in adults.

Case Study

• Journey through "Anna’s" story, a client who battled shame due to past trauma.

This episode provides a detailed guide for mental health professionals looking to enhance their understanding of shame and its intricacies, offering a richer, more nuanced approach to helping their clients through Sandtray Therapy.