Shame is an extraordinary combination of a primary emotion and a state of freeze. It is an embodied belief that "something is wrong with me." Shame, like trauma, puts the body in a freeze state and lowers the ability to think and act clearly. Because shame exists in the body as well as in the mind, it is important that therapists work with shame somatically.
Clients stuck in shame have trouble seeing anyone but themselves. It can be hard for them to receive support from another person as they are caught in the grip of shame. In this workshop, you will explore how to utilize somatic techniques to connect more quickly with the client and forge a strong therapeutic alliance. You will learn how to prevent somatic counter-transference and avoid taking on the client's physical shame patterns.
In this workshop you will:
Focus on using breathing and grounding to resource the client, becoming more aware of your own breathing and expanding it in the process.
Learn how you can resource yourself so that you don't fall into somatic counter-transference and take on the client's physical shame patterns.
Explore how to keep your clients more present in the room with you and counter over-verbalization, dissociation, and freezing.
Learn techniques and theory from Wilhelm Reich (the father of Somatics), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing), Stephen Porges (Polyvagal Theory), Ron Kurtz (Hakomi), and Eugene Gendlin (Focusing).
Course Level: Beginning
There is no prerequisite for this course.
2 SATURDAYS: October 18 & 25, 2025
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Pacific Time
ONLINE
Live and recorded, using Zoom
13 CE credits for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs in California
(See CE information below.)
CAMFT Approved CE Provider #134393
This course is for therapists and helping professionals. If you're not sure if it's the right class for you, please contact Bret Lyon at Bret@HealingShame.com. This workshop can be applied toward certification as a Healing Shame Practitioner.
Pricing and Registration
$395 full price
$375 with early bird discount, paid in full by September 13, 2025 (Use coupon code EARLYBIRD)
Special rate for unpaid interns - $45 off full price (Use coupon code INTERN)
$40 fee for CE credits - available for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs in California
If you would like CE credits for this workshop, please pay for them now, at the same time you register for the workshop. Payment for CE credits is separate from your registration payment.
To pay for CE credits, please click here.
We offer two payment options for registration:
1. If you want the early bird pricing, pay $375 by the early bird deadline. (Sorry, no deposits for early bird pricing.)
2. Pay the full amount of $395 or a $100 deposit to hold your space in the class. Upon registration, you will receive an email confirmation that includes a link to pay any balance due. Please note that we do not send a balance due bill, so it will be your responsibility to remember to pay. Any balance due must be paid in full at least 4 days before the class.
**If registering within one week of the class, you must pay the full amount; deposits will not be accepted.**
Please note: In registering for this workshop, you are agreeing to the terms of our Ethics and Scope of Practice Agreement.
CE Credit
The Center for Healing Shame is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs in California – CAMFT-approved CE provider #134393. Courses meet the qualifications for hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
At this time, we are only able to provide CE credit to LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs in California. We are not able to offer CE credit to psychologists or nurses in California or to psychologists, therapists, or nurses licensed outside of California in the U.S. and Canada.
For complete information about CE credit, Hours of Attendance certificates, and course credit, please visit our information page.
The Center for Healing Shame maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
Guarantee Your Spot:
This is a workshop for therapists and other helping professionals, taught by Bret Lyon PhD, SEP and Sheila Rubin, LMFT, RDT/BCT.
Bret Lyon and Sheila Rubin have co-led workshops on Healing Shame for over a decade in many cities in the U.S. and Canada, including Berkeley, New York, Montreal, Ottawa, Victoria, BC. Both have trained in EFT with Sue Johnson and in AEDP Diana Fosha. For more information, please visit our page About Us.
WORKSHOP CANCELLATION POLICY
We do not offer refunds. The amount paid can be applied toward a future workshop within 12 months. Registrations are not transferable.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED
The Center for Healing Shame welcomes people who have disabilities. Our training location is wheelchair accessible. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs.
GRIEVANCE POLICY
The Center for Healing Shame seeks to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner.
If you have a grievance, please include your name and contact information and submit it in writing to Sheila Rubin (sheila@healingshame.com).
Grievances will receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems.