Therapy Removes Shame and Restores Confidence & Self-Esteem

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People come into therapy often feeling very ashamed – not always about the addictive behaviour itself, but about the fact that they can’t control it and don’t really understand why they keep going back to it. 

 

They can see the harm it is doing to themselves, and maybe to others, but it feels out of their control.  They can feel like they don’t recognise themselves.

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People describe the process of talking to a trusted therapist as a great relief and the key way that they finally let go of the shame they’ve been feeling.  They experience being accepted as a person, without judgement, and being genuinely listened to with active concern and interest.  Just this process of talking and being heard seems to ‘crack the shell’ of shame that has been oppressing them. 

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People begin to see that the addictive behaviour is only a part of them and that there are other parts of them that can make good decisions; be reliable and keep their priorities in mind.  Additionally, learning to apply a self-compassionate approach, further restores their self-confidence and self-esteem.