On-Demand Learning from Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute®
The Relational Nature of Shame
The Relational Nature of Shame
Available for a limited time only!
Shame is one of the most painful and often least visible experiences clients bring into therapy.
Shame is one of the most painful and often least visible experiences clients bring into therapy.
Because shame concerns aspects of ourselves we fear may be judged, rejected, or humiliated, it often remains hidden—sometimes even outside conscious awareness.
Clients may struggle to speak about shame directly, while therapists may find it difficult to bring shame into focus.
Yet shame profoundly shapes how people experience themselves, their bodies, and their relationships.
Through the lens of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™, this session explores shame not as an individual defect but as a relational experience shaped by interpersonal, cultural, and historical contexts.
Understanding shame in this way creates new possibilities for greater awareness, regulation, connection, and self-understanding.
Clients may struggle to speak about shame directly, while therapists may find it difficult to bring shame into focus.
Yet shame profoundly shapes how people experience themselves, their bodies, and their relationships.
Through the lens of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™, this session explores shame not as an individual defect but as a relational experience shaped by interpersonal, cultural, and historical contexts.
Understanding shame in this way creates new possibilities for greater awareness, regulation, connection, and self-understanding.
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The Relational Nature of Shame
The Relational Nature of Shame
led by Dr. Pat Ogden, SP Founder
On-Demand, Self-Paced Learning
7 hours | Immediate 90-Day Access
7 hours | Immediate 90-Day Access
Who is this for?
Who is this for?
This on-demand learning is intended for mental health practitioners who are interested in deepening their work through an embodied, relational approach.
This session is designed for clinicians who want to integrate the body more fully into their work.
Whether you are new to SP or looking to deepen your existing practice, this session offers an integrative framework for exploring the relational and embodied nature of shame, with practical applications for clinical work.
Whether you are new to SP or looking to deepen your existing practice, this session offers an integrative framework for exploring the relational and embodied nature of shame, with practical applications for clinical work.
Limited time only!
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When we start to feel shame, we can implicitly also start to feel in danger or even life-threatened. We don't feel safe when we feel shame.
Pat Ogden
PhD, Founder
PhD, Founder
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What You’ll Learn
What You’ll Learn
Across four modules, you'll explore:
Foundations of Shame
Understand shame as a relational and embodied experience shaped by attachment, trauma, social context, and survival responses.
Resourcing Shame
Learn how experiences of shame become organized within the body and how sensorimotor resources can support regulation, resilience, and connection.
Processing Shame
Explore the relationship between shame, neuroception, defensive responses, and the therapeutic relationship.
Therapeutic Application and Healing
Develop practical approaches for supporting movement from shame toward embodied worth, self-acceptance, and relational connection.
Foundations of Shame
Understand shame as a relational and embodied experience shaped by attachment, trauma, social context, and survival responses.
Resourcing Shame
Learn how experiences of shame become organized within the body and how sensorimotor resources can support regulation, resilience, and connection.
Processing Shame
Explore the relationship between shame, neuroception, defensive responses, and the therapeutic relationship.
Therapeutic Application and Healing
Develop practical approaches for supporting movement from shame toward embodied worth, self-acceptance, and relational connection.
A Relational Approach to Shame
A Relational Approach to Shame
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™ approaches shame through the understanding that many shame experiences emerge in relationship and are expressed through the body.
Rather than focusing solely on cognition or narrative, this approach invites attention to present-moment experience, including posture, movement, sensation, impulse, emotion, and relational interaction.
Grounded in the principles of SP, this work emphasizes:
As awareness deepens, clients can begin to experience shame differently, discovering new possibilities for connection, dignity, and self-acceptance.
Rather than focusing solely on cognition or narrative, this approach invites attention to present-moment experience, including posture, movement, sensation, impulse, emotion, and relational interaction.
Grounded in the principles of SP, this work emphasizes:
- The intelligence and adaptability of survival responses
- The integration of body, emotion, and meaning-making
- Mindful awareness of present-moment experience
- The therapeutic relationship as a foundation for safety, connection, and relational attunement
- Respect for protective adaptations developed in response to overwhelming experiences
As awareness deepens, clients can begin to experience shame differently, discovering new possibilities for connection, dignity, and self-acceptance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™?
Why Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™?
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™ helps clients access the body’s own resources, supporting deeper healing and engagement in life and relationships.
Why study shame through a Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™ lens?
Why study shame through a Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™ lens?
Shame is often expressed through the body and nervous system before it can be articulated in words. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™ provides a framework for recognizing these embodied patterns and working with them in ways that support awareness, regulation, and healing.
What is included in registration?
What is included in registration?
90-day access to the full session and downloadable course materials.
How long is the on-demand session?
How long is the on-demand session?
7 hours, self-paced.
Will completing this course certify me in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™?
No. This is an introductory course. Certification requires completion of all three levels of SP Training through SPI.
Are Continuing Education credits offered?
Are Continuing Education credits offered?
No CEs are provided for this course at this time.
What is the Refund Policy?
What is the Refund Policy?
SPI’s On-demand Learning sessions are not eligible for a refund.
What Becomes Possible
with Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™?
What Becomes Possible
with Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™?
with Sensorimotor Psychotherapy™?
When we include the body in our clinical work, new pathways open.
Clients can access previously unavailable awareness, shift long-standing patterns, and experience change that emerges through present-moment engagement.
