Shame is linked to low self-esteem, relationship problems, addiction, eating disorders, aggression, psychological abuse, mood disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Shame leads to doubt, insecurity, anxiety, and depression and has the potential to destroy our enjoyment of life, success in work, and ability to have satisfying relationships. It drives our behavior outside of conscious awareness and beleaguers us with self-judgment, guilt, and “shoulds.”

This web conference explains the nature and origin of toxic shame, shame bonds and spirals, and how shame differs from guilt. It covers the development of defenses to shame, how to spot and address them with clients, and how to help clients integrate shame and recover from its debilitating effect.

This web conference is intermediate instructional level and designed to help clinicians:

  1. Assess when shame is present;
  2. Discover defenses to shame;
  3. Discuss the origin of toxic shame and the differences between internalized and acute shame;
  4. Determine shame spirals;
  5. Demonstrate tools and techniques to interrupt shame spirals and heal shame.

If you have any questions or concerns about this web conference, or would like more information, please contact us here.

How the Web Conference Works

Attendees who register for this event will log in to the web conference center by using a computer and calling in to the teleconference line. Attendees will be able to ask live audio questions via phone and/or submit text chat questions via computer. Live streaming video and/or document sharing will also be available to participants. Alternatively, attendees may dial in to the teleconference line only, though attendees dialing in by phone only will be unable to ask questions.

Before the scheduled event, all registered attendees will be sent a reminder email with specific instructions on how to log in to the web conference center, as well as links to optional handout materials if applicable.

This event will include lecture and question-and-answer periods. A recording of the web conference will be available to members in GoodTherapy.org's Continuing Education Archives within two weeks. After the live event, a written transcript of the event will be available in the Member's Area. Members of GoodTherapy.org can receive continuing education credits for attending this event by logging in to the GoodTherapy.org Member's Area.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety.

GoodTherapy.org is also an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services.

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ASWB Approval Period: March 30, 2016 through March 30, 2019. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers participating in this course will receive two clinical continuing education clock hours.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content..

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395.

Registration Information

This web conference is available at no cost to GoodTherapy.org members.

Event Reviews from Members

"She has put a lot of thought and work into how shame presents and how to work with it in clients. Also, her emphasis on therapists shame and countertransference was helpful." - Thomas Woodward, LPC

"I really appreciated the work she has done around the issue of shame. I thought her work was very helpful. I will benefit greatly from this workshop." - Jon Dodds PhD, LCPC

Meet the Presenter

Darlene Lancer, JD, MA, MFT

Darlene Lancer, LMFT, an expert on codependency and relationships, has been working with individuals and couples for over 27 years. Ms. Lancer is the author of Codependency for Dummies and her new book Conquering Shame and Codependency: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You, as well as the ebooks How To Speak your Mind - Become Assertive and Set Limits, 10 Steps to Self-Esteem, and Codependency Recovery Daily Reflections.

Ms. Lancer has been a featured speaker at national conferences, for professional organizations, and on the radio. Her writing appears on various mental health blogs and professional mental health journals. For more information on Darlene Lancer and her work, please visit www.darlenelancer.com and www.whatiscodependency.com.