Workshop - Working with Shame
Working with Shame Workshop
Shame affects everyone to some degree. For some this can be crippling or toxic leading to appeasement, self harm or harming another. Many use coping strategies, masks and roles to hide the shame they feel. Shame, and the fear of exposure, can lead to many different ways of hiding, coping strategies and even the formation of addiction processes or OCD like thought patterns and behaviours.
The workshop will explore shame from a biopsychosocial perspective, looking at the origins of shame in peoples lives and the growing impact it can have over time. It is well know that Adverse Childhood Experiences can have a detrimental impact on adult life, patterns of behaviour and relationships and shame can play a part in that.
This experiential and interactive day will help participants explore various aspects of shame and provide resources for supporting others along with guidelines for appropriate referral.
If you wish to book or host a Shame workshop then please fill in the form below.
Core Workshop Aims
To provide working definitions of shame vs guilt
To help carers understand shame from a psycho-socio-cultural perspective
To understand some of the underlying causes and contributing factors
To understand the impact shame has on self concepts, behaviours, concepts of others, world view and relationships
To explore the common reactions to shame
To explore aspects of the (neuro)biology of the shame response with reference to the Polyvagal Theory
To understand how to begin creating safe places to explore shame
Explore the role of group work in shame reduction
Explore how to build shame resilience
Additional for Faith Groups
Many have heard talks in churches on guilt, but few churches address shame. If delivered to a Christian group, the day will also incorporate a reflection on shame in the Bible and how Jesus handles shame.
To understand how to begin to address the shame cycle and ‘orphan heart’
For faith groups, to understand the work of Jesus and the Cross in restoration of the shamed
To reflect on the interactions of shame, fear and hiding in the development of concepts of self, others and God
To begin to consider pastoral aspects of supporting those who are shamed
Peter’s workshop for church leaders on sex addiction and pastoral care was extremely well received by all who participated due to a mix of relevant input, testimony, and space to do some processing for ourselves. He kept the focus on personal transformation through the gospel whilst being helpfully honest about the journey. At the end of the day many church leaders were asking about the possibility of a longer course for churches.
Workshop Testimonials
The Most Reverend Martin Gordon, Bishop of Goma, DRC
The (sex addiction and pastoral care) workshop was highly relevant to me as an incumbent Vicar. There were no ‘stupid questions’ and Peter held the course very safely, respectfully and professionally. The content was presented accessibly. We were given the latest facts and information about a fast-evolving subject as well as valuable perspectives and insights from practice which carried across a range of important ministerial domains.
The learning has been extremely valuable subsequently. It has given me greater compassion, insight and confidence when dealing with this issue in ministry. It is a topic that rarely features in formational training or IME and yet is something that comes up in ministry. Given that it is so complex and highly sensitive for those involved - expert guidance and training is essential. I have certainly been very grateful to have benefitted from Peter’s course. I have already recommended it to others, and I commend it again.
Reverend Chris Bradish
Rector of Andover Parish
About the Trainer
Peter Watts is counsellor working in private practice who has specialised in working with sexual addictions and supporting both those who struggle with them and those around them. He has had experience with working with those whose addiction has escalated to non-contact sexual offending behaviours. He also has a special interest in the impact of shame on people and sexual identity formation.
He has experience in presenting workshops on various subjects to counsellors and faith based groups, tailoring each day to provide an interactive, engaging and informative day that meets the specific needs of the audience. These workshops can either be run face to face or online.
He is a Registered Member of both the BACP and ACC and a member of the Association for the Treatment of Sex Addiction and Compulsivity (ATSAC). He is an approved trainer for the CPCAB accredited Level 5 Diploma in Working With Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder delivered by the Sex Addiction Institute of Sex Addiction Training (ISAT).
