Jung Center Courses: Reclaiming Power and Courage in a Culture of Shame

DISTINGUISHED LECTURER SERIES
Reclaiming Power and Courage in a Culture of Shame

Wednesdays, 5:45 - 7:15 pm
Mar 7 - Apr 4 (no class Mar 28)
$75 ($65 Jung Center members)

When people hear the word shame, they often have one of two responses: "I'm not sure what you mean by shame, but I know that I don't want to talk about it," or "Oh, shame. I know it well, but I don't want to talk about it." Our reluctance to talk about shame is understandable - shame is so powerful that we sometimes feel shame just talking about the topic. And, simply listening to someone share a shaming experience can often trigger our own shame.

However, the less we understand shame and how it affects our feelings, thoughts and behaviors, the more power it exerts over our lives. If we can find the courage to talk about shame and the compassion to listen, we can change the way we live, love, parent, work and build relationships.

In this 4-week workshop, we will explore the concept of shame and the skills and strategies associated with "shame resilience." We can never become completely resistant to shame; however, we can develop the resilience we need to recognize shame, move through it constructively and grow from our experiences. Participants will learn the differences between shame, guilt, embarrassment and humiliation and why and when we are the most vulnerable to experiencing shame and shaming others. We will also explore the concept of empathy and the vital role it plays in developing shame resilience.

Brené Brown, PhD, LMSW, is a member of the research faculty at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW). Her primary research focuses on how shame and empathy impact our ability to develop meaningful connections with others. She recently finished a six-year qualitative study on shame and its affect on women. Her current research focuses on men and shame and the ways in which shame and empathy are used in parenting, education and the workplace. She is co-editor of the book Controversial Issues in Social Policy (2006) and author of the forthcoming book, I Thought It Was Just Me: Women Reclaiming Power and Courage in a Culture of Shame (Gotham, 2007).

You can REGISTER ONLINE for this course by clicking here.

If you prefer, you can call The Jung Center at 713.524.8253 to register for this event. You can also click here to download a registration form - fill it out and fax or mail it to us.