What is Self-Compassion for Shame?
Self-Compassion for Shame is an 8-week, evidence-based course designed to help you navigate the complex emotion of shame with kindness and understanding.
Registration Options Interested in CE Credits?
What Can I Learn in Self-Compassion for Shame?
"Shame is the fear of disconnection.” - Brené Brown
Shame is often powerful and overwhelming, having a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being. This course includes
- Exploring the origins and impact of shame.
- Developing skills to cope with shame triggers, navigate the challenges of being in the grip of shame more skillfully.
- Learning how to foster a sense of connection with ourselves and others through shared experiences within a supportive community.
Why should you consider taking this course?
“People can feel shame or guilt for failures or transgressions. The difference between shame and guilt is with guilt, they feel badly about a specific behavior and with shame, they feel badly about themselves.” - June Tangney
Personal Growth: You will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the patterns of shame and develop healthier ways of relating to yourself.
Emotional Well-being: You will learn practical tools to manage difficult emotions and cultivate greater self-acceptance and resilience.
Supportive Community: This is supportive and non-judgmental learning environment: The experience of community and solidarity is invaluable in the journey toward healing and growth.
Practical Skills: The techniques taught in this course are practical and applicable to everyday life to support your emotional well-being.
What are the Benefits of Self-Compassion for Shame?
“Shame is powerful, contagious, and self-propagating.”
- Jennifer L. Biddle, PhD
While each student's experience is unique, the published research has shown changes like these are common.
Greater self-acceptance • Reduced shame • Increased compassion for self and others • Heightened self-worth • Increased resilience • Improved coping strategies • Reduced rumination • Healthier boundaries
Enroll in the Year of Compassion
Three Courses Across a Year. Join a year-long program on compassion for self and others. Three courses and a retreat, includes Mindful Self-Compassion, Fierce Self-Compassion, and Self-Compassion for Shame. Classes meet for one (1) hour weekly, providing a steady, supportive structure. Savings for the three courses purchased together range from $294 to nearly $800.
8 weeks with focus groups, Live Online via Zoom.
Tuition: Pay-It-Forward: $747, Standard: $597, Scholarship: $497.
Course pricing is set to allow for generosity while meeting individuals needs. We encourage you to pay as much as you can afford and we appreciate your care and thoughtfulness when deciding.
Payment plans are available at checkout. See our refund policy.
All times are in EASTERN TIME (ET). Timezone converter.
Continuing Education Credits are available for this course.
Upcoming Self-Compassion for Shame Courses
October 7 to December 9, 2025 - Instructor Jorge Armesto
Live Online via Zoom, Classes: Tuesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, 25, December 2, and 9, Times: 6:00pm - 8:00pm ET, Mini Retreat: Saturday, December 13 from 9:00am - 1:00pm ET
Don't see dates/times that work for you? Join the Self-Compassion for Shame waitlist to be notified when a new course is available.
Weekly Overview of APA Credits
Important Note on CE credits: Students are expected and required to attend 100% of CE programming. MHI and its staff strictly monitor attendance and do not award variable credit for partial attendance.
Why is Self-Compassion for Shame Valuable for Psychologists?
For psychologists and other professionals, the wide applicability and adaptability of this course demonstrates how mindfulness can be a versatile tool for clinicians working with diverse populations. However, effectively integrating mindfulness into the therapeutic space requires clinicians to prioritize their own personal practice. Studies suggest that mindfulness training significantly strengthens the therapeutic alliance, the cornerstone of effective therapy, in several key ways, including cultivating present-moment awareness, improving self-awareness, enhancing emotional regulation, boosting empathy and compassion, deepening active listening skills.
| Datess | Class | CE Credit |
| Week 1 | Introduction to SC for Shame: Session 1 focuses on the concepts of self-compassion and shame, and how self-compassion is an antidote to shame. We start becoming aware of when shame arises in our lives (which is a lot!) and begin to respond with compassion — the Self-Compassion Break for Shame. | 2.0 hours |
| Week 2 | The Wish to be Loved: Session 2 focuses on the motivation behind shame, namely, the “wish to be loved.” Connecting with the “wish to be loved” increases our capacity to be compassionate with ourselves in the midst of shame, and it starts the process of uncovering when we were not loved and needed to be loved. | 2.0 hours |
| Week 3 | Origins of Shame: This session explores the meaning of shame and the motivation behind shame. It also provides theory and research as an on-ramp to the exercises and practices which are the centerpiece of each session. | 2.0 hours |
| Week 4 | PRACTICE GROUP SESSION: Class will be divided into two small 1-hour practice groups | 1.0 hour |
| Datesss | Class | CE Credit |
| Week 5 | The Compassionate Self: In Session 4, we explore the Inner Critic and the Criticized Self through the eyes of the Compassionate Self. Participants will evoke the Compassionate Self in relationship to shame and explore different aspects of self-criticism from the perspective of the Compassionate Self. | 2.0 hours |
| Week 6 | Self-Forgiveness: In this session, we will learn self-forgiveness, tapping into our Compassionate Self to forgive ourselves. We can forgive ourselves for pain we have caused to others or to ourselves. In this session, we will focus specifically on pain we have caused to ourselves by self-criticism and other behaviors. | 2.0 hours |
| Week 7 | Compassion for Our Bodies: In this session, participants will understand the meaning of body dissatisfaction and body shame, and bring self-compassion to the experience of body shame. Begin to forgive themselves for the harm experienced and caused by feeling ashamed of their own bodies. Learn how to shift from shame to appreciation of the body. | 2.0 hours |
| Week 8 | PRACTICE GROUP SESSION: Class will be divided into two small 1-hour practice groups. | 1.0 hour |
| Week 9 | Compassion for Our Parts: Participants will review the self-compassion phrases for shame that they have collected during the course and choose one that they would most like to hear in a moment of shame. Connect with a hidden part of the personality that is bearing the burden of shame and begin to relate compassionately with that part. | 2.0 hours |
| Week 10 | Returning Home to Ourselves: In this session, participants will explore what personal values have guided them throughout their lives in spite of shame and generate a phrase to remind themselves of a core value that is bigger than shame. Reflect upon how their lives would be different if they were free from the grip of shame. Review what they learned in the course and share with others what they would like to remember, going forward. | 2.0 hours |
What is Self-Compassion for Shame?
Self-Compassion for Shame is an intensive 8-week course that meets twice each week: The first session is 2 hours and the second session is in small groups that meet for 1 hour. It is designed to help you navigate the complex emotion of shame with kindness and understanding. This course, developed by Dr. Chris Germer (co-founder of Mindful Self-Compassion), offers a safe and supportive environment for students to explore their relationship with shame and develop practical strategies for cultivating self-compassion, which is the antidote to shame.
Compassion for shame explores the therapeutic power of self-compassion and compassion from others in addressing the negative impacts of shame, a deeply distressing emotion that can undermine mental and emotional well-being. Unlike guilt, which is tied to specific actions, shame is pervasive and affects one's sense of identity, often leading to self-criticism and social withdrawal. Shame can stem from a variety of sources, including societal expectations, past experiences, and internalized beliefs. Left unaddressed, shame can lead to feelings of worthlessness, isolation, and self-criticism. Compassion-focused interventions, such as Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), developed by Paul Gilbert, use principles of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness to help individuals counteract the isolating effects of shame.
What is the Weekly Overview of Self-Compassion for Shame?
The Self-Compassion for Shame curriculum presented here serves as a general overview and is subject to potential modifications based on the unique needs, insights, and discussions that may arise during class.
What are the Learning Objectives and Outcomes of Self-Compassion for Shame?
- Understand the Theoretical Foundations of Shame
- Analyze the psychological theories underlying the concept of shame, including its origins and distinguishing characteristics from related emotions such as guilt.
- Differentiate Shame from Guilt
- Critically differentiate between shame and guilt to understand their unique psychological and behavioral implications.
- Explore the Evolutionary Basis of Compassion
- Examine the evolutionary psychology behind compassion, focusing on its role in social bonding and emotional regulation.
- Define Self-Compassion and Its Components
- Define self-compassion and its three core components: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness.
- Analyze the Impact of Shame on Mental Health
- Assess the psychological impacts of shame on mental health, including its associations with depression, anxiety, and other psychopathologies.
- Implement Mindfulness Techniques
- Demonstrate the ability to implement mindfulness techniques as a component of self-compassion to manage shame-related emotions.
- Develop Strategies for Cultivating Self-Compassion
- Develop practical strategies for cultivating self-compassion in daily life to mitigate the effects of shame.
- Examine the Role of Self-Criticism in Shame
- Investigate the relationship between self-criticism and shame, and how self-compassion can counteract self-critical tendencies.
- Explore Cultural Variations in Shame and Self-Compassion
- Explore how cultural differences influence experiences of shame and the acceptance and practice of self-compassion.
- Analyze the Mechanisms of Compassion-Focused Interventions
- Analyze the psychological mechanisms through which compassion-focused interventions alleviate shame.
- Identify Barriers to Self-Compassion
- Identify common barriers to practicing self-compassion and strategies to overcome these obstacles.
- Discuss and Understand Self-Compassion in Clinical Settings
- Review and discuss self-compassion techniques in clinical settings to support clients struggling with shame and related issues.
- Investigate the Neuroscience of Shame and Compassion
- Investigate the neurological underpinnings of shame and how compassion practices affect brain function.
- Foster a Compassionate Environment
- Develop courses and initiatives to foster a compassionate environment in various organizational settings to mitigate shame.
- Explore Long-Term Effects of Compassion Practices
- Examine the long-term effects of regular compassion practices on reducing shame and enhancing overall well-being.
- Examine the long-term effects of regular compassion practices on reducing shame and enhancing overall well-being.
What is the Science and Research on Self-Compassion for Shame?
Research consistently shows that self-compassion can mitigate the negative effects of shame. A study by Ferreira et al. (2013) found that higher levels of self-compassion were associated with lower levels of shame and psychopathology. Similarly, Kelly, Carter, and Borairi (2014) demonstrated that self-compassion interventions effectively reduced body image shame and eating disorder symptoms. Moreover, a meta-analysis by Kirby, Tellegen, and Steindl (2017) concluded that compassion-based interventions significantly reduce shame, self-criticism, and mental health symptoms such as anxiety and depression. These interventions often include mindfulness practices, compassionate imagery, and exercises aimed at fostering self-kindness and acceptance.
Sources Cited
- Ferreira, C., Pinto-Gouveia, J., & Duarte, C. (2013). Self-compassion in the face of shame and body image dissatisfaction: Implications for eating disorders. Eating Behaviors, 14(2), 207-210.
- Germer, C. K., & Neff, K. D. (2013). The mindful self-compassion program. In Mindfulness and self-compassion. Guilford Press.
- Gilbert, P. (2009). The Compassionate Mind: A New Approach to Life's Challenges. New Harbinger Publications.
- Gilbert, P. (2010). Compassion Focused Therapy: Distinctive Features. Routledge.
- Kelly, A. C., Carter, J. C., & Borairi, S. (2014). Are improvements in shame and self-compassion early in eating disorders treatment associated with better patient outcomes? International Journal of Eating Disorders, 47(1), 54-64.
- Kim, S., Thibodeau, R., & Jorgensen, R. S. (2011). Shame, guilt, and depressive symptoms: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 137(1), 68-96.
- Kirby, J. N., Tellegen, C. L., & Steindl, S. R. (2017). A meta-analysis of compassion-based interventions: Current state of knowledge and future directions. Behavior Therapy, 48(6), 778-792.
- Longe, O., Maratos, F. A., Gilbert, P., Evans, G., Volker, F., Rockliff, H., & Rippon, G. (2010). Having a word with yourself: Neural correlates of self-criticism and self-reassurance. NeuroImage, 49(2), 1849-1856.
- Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2013). A pilot study and randomized controlled trial of the mindful self-compassion program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 28-44.
- Pauley, G., & McPherson, S. (2010). The experience and meaning of compassion and self-compassion for individuals with depression or anxiety. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 83(2), 129-143.
- Raab, K. (2014). Mindfulness, self-compassion, and empathy among health care professionals: A review of the literature. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 20(3), 95-108.
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