The Experience of Shame and the Restoration of Self-Respect in Group Therapy

Abstract

Group psychotherapy is explored as a modality for the treatment of shame, and the subsequent enhancement that follows the resolution of a major preoedipal point of developmental arrest. The authors briefly outline the history of the affects, with special concentration on the affect of shame. Shame as an aspect of object relations theory is then described as it emerges in group psychotherapy. Finally, the authors offer case examples demonstrating the special focus on the treatment of shame in long-term, psychodynamic group therapy.