CEUs: 4

Instructor: Biljana Cvejin

The emotion of shame is a powerful barrier to our ability to live an authentic life.  This program will begin with a discussion on the research of Dr. Brene Brown, who has been researching shame for more than twelve years.  She has been investigating its corrosive impact on our development, and exploring: What is shame? How do women define shame? How do men define shame? What is the common element of all shaming, and how is it that shame is universal? Dr. Brown also discusses shame vs. guilt. Why does shame make us feel unworthy and keep us small and disempowered while guilt can be useful in learning and helping us grow?

Following the discussion, we will view Steve McQueen’s film Shame. This is a gritty (and at times sexually graphic) portrayal of the connection between shame and sexual addiction.  We will explore how the concepts above apply to Shame, and end with a discuss of empathy as the primary antidote to shame, and how the four elements for developing shame resilience are cultivated.

 About the Instructor
Biljana Cvejin, Psy.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who received her graduate training at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.  After years of conducting a private practice, she now does trauma work with Veterans.  Most recently, she has begun facilitating a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Group.