Using Somatic Techniques to Create Safety and Build Attunement


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 may 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).

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify three somatic techniques that a therapist can use to (a) connect more quickly with the client and (b) forge a strong therapeutic alliance.

  • Demonstrate breathing and grounding techniques for resourcing the client and be able to teach those techniques to the client.

  • Compare different somatic methods, noting differences and similarities.

  • Design strategies to work with somatic and emotional countertransference and avoid following the client down the shame rabbit hole.

  • Utilize two somatic interventions to counter a client’s over-verbalization, dissociation and freezing.

  • Describe four physiological signs of shame that clients may exhibit.

  • Explain Polyvagal Theory to a client.

  • Assess how a client is holding shame in their body and help client become aware of it and describe it.

  • Describe and employ strategies to restore client pendulation and life force.

Course Level: Beginning
There is no prerequisite for this course.

Melting the Shame Freeze:
Using Somatic Techniques to Create Safety and Build Attunement

RECORDED WORKSHOP


Pricing and Registration

$395 course fee
Special rate for interns - $70 off

$40 additional fee for CE credits

12 CE credits available ONLY for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs in California – CAMFT Approved CE Provider #134393
Please note that the number of CE credits for the workshop includes both video time and exercise/practice time.

For details about CE credit, click here.

This recorded workshop can be applied toward certification as a Healing Shame Practitioner.

Course Structure
The recorded Melting the Shame Freeze workshop consists of two video classes. You can expect to spend approximately 12 hours on this workshop, including the breakout room exercises that you can do on your own.

For Those Not Seeking CE Credit or Possible Certification:
For those who do not need CE credit or an Hours of Attendance certificate and who are not in (or considering) our Practitioner Certification Program, we do strongly encourage you to write and submit papers (as described below) as a means of engaging with the course more deeply and fostering your individual learning.

Requirements for course credit (for those wanting CE credit or an Hours of Attendance Certificate or for those in the Healing Shame Certification Program):

  • For each of the two classes, write and submit a 3- to 4-page paper describing what you learned and how it affected you.

  • After you finish the course, complete and submit the course evaluation form.

  • You must complete the course and submit all materials within six months of the date of purchase. Materials received outside this time frame will not be applied toward the requirements.

For complete details about the requirements for course and CE credit, click here.

Please note: In registering for this workshop, you are agreeing to the terms of our Ethics and Scope of Practice Agreement. 

If you're wondering whether this is the right class for you, please contact Bret Lyon at Bret@healingshame.com, Sheila Rubin at Sheila@healingshame.com, or Elizabeth Davidge at EDhealingshame@gmail.com.

If you’re interested in registering for this recorded training, please fill out the form below and we will email you with the appropriate registration information.


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 12 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

The Center for Healing Shame maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

WORKSHOP CANCELLATION POLICY

We do not offer refunds for recorded workshops. Registrations are not transferable.

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.