Understanding and Treating Chronic Shame

Patricia A. DeYoung, MSW, PhD, is a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor in Toronto. She was a founding faculty member of the Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy.

"This is a deep and nuanced understanding of dissociated shame as it manifests clinically and in life as lived. It is supported by an equally deep and nuanced understanding of the underlying neurobiology and of the surrounding personality. This updated edition includes a chapter on the shaming of stigmatized communities; a welcome addition to this modern classic. Essential reading for anyone treating any kind of relational trauma." Daniel Hill, PhD, author of Affect Regulation Theory: A Clinical Model"In this outstanding new edition of Understanding and Treating Chronic Shame, Patricia DeYoung offers a comprehensive clinical study of shame, dissociation, and complex relational trauma. Connecting shame to traumatic failures of empathy, she offers cogent descriptions of several types of shame, from ethical shame to annihilating, stigmatizing, and chronic shame. In addition, DeYoung boldly tackles the disavowed shame of systemic racism that perpetuates violence against marginalized members of society. Impressive in its scope, this is a must read for all practitioners who are working to heal shame patterns that have penetrated both family and societal institutions for generations." Patricia Gianotti, PsyD, academic director of the Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy at Loyola University Chicago and coauthor of Listening with Purpose and Uncovering the Resilient Core"The second edition of this most humane, sensitive, and very useful book on shame has added important perspectives—two full, rich chapters—on stigmatizing shame. This is Dr. DeYoung’s first look at the ravages of racism. I hope it is not her last, for she has contributions to make from which all of us can benefit."Lynne Jacobs, PhD, cofounder of the Pacific Gestalt Institute and training analyst at the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis

• Part One: Understanding Chronic Shame. 1. Ubiquitous and Elusive: The Problem of Chronic Shame 2. Shame Is Relational 3. Shame and the Relational Right Brain 4. Relational and Right-Brain Narratives of Shame 5. Assessing for Shame 6. Societies of Chronic Shame Part Two: Treating Chronic Shame 7. Prerequisites for Working with Shame 8. Fostering Right-Brain Connection 9. Narrative as Right-Brain Integration 10. Giving Shame Light and Air 11. The Challenge of Dissociated Shame 12. The Three Faces of Shame: Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment 13. Lifetime Shame Resilience