In today’s world, it is hard to talk about emotions without talking about shame and guilt. These two opposing concepts are often seen as the same thing, but often have very different effects on a person. In this article we will explore what both of these emotions are, how they can be harmful or helpful, and how a therapist would be able to help someone deal with either emotion.
What is shame?
Brene Brown, a leading shame researcher, defines shame as “the painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging—something we’ve experienced, done, or failed to do makes us unworthy of connection.”
Shame is often seen as a more destructive emotion than guilt. It can be described as feeling like you’re not good enough, and is often the result of feeling like you’ve done something wrong.
How shame can be destructive
Shame can be very destructive because it often leads to a person feeling like they’re not good enough. This can be very harmful because it can lead to a person feeling isolated and alone. Shame can also be very hard to overcome, and can often lead to a person feeling like they are unworthy of love and belonging.
What is guilt?
Guilt is often seen as the opposite of shame, and is often seen as a more healthy emotion. It is the feeling of responsibility or regret for something that you have done.
How guilt can be helpful
Guilt can be helpful because it often leads to a person taking action. It is the feeling of responsibility for your actions, and can often motivate someone to make things right. Guilt can also be a sign that someone cares about their actions and wants to make things right.
How guilt can be harmful
Guilt can also be harmful because it can lead to a person feeling like they are not good enough. It can also lead to a person feeling like they are responsible for everything that goes wrong.
How a therapist would help someone work through shame, guilt, or both emotions
A therapist would be able to help someone work through shame or guilt by exploring the root of the emotion. They would be able to help a person understand why they feel shame or guilt, and would be able to provide tools and resources for overcoming those feelings. A therapist would also be able to provide support and guidance for how to make things right.
The antidote to shame is disclosure.
Having a safe space to dig into these emotions is a great first step. Working with a therapist who can help you understand the difference between the two and then help you understand the tools, mindsets, and thought processes to work through the shame train can be absolutely transformational.
Our therapists in Tampa, FL are experts in shame and guilt and are here to help when you’re ready to make the next step and work through these barriers to being the best version of yourself.
Recap
Shame and guilt are two very powerful emotions that can often be hard to deal with. In this article, we explored the difference between shame and guilt, and how a therapist would help someone work through either emotion. Shame is often seen as more destructive than guilt, while guilt can be seen as more helpful. However, both emotions can be harmful if they’re not dealt with in a healthy way. The antidote to shame is disclosure, which means having a safe space to dig into these emotions and explore them with a therapist who can help you understand the tools, mindsets, and thought processes to work through the shame train. If you’re feeling shame or guilt and want help overcoming those feelings, our therapists in Tampa FL are here for you.