Shame, Pride and Dissociation: Estranged Bedfellows, Close Cousins and Some Implications for Psychotherapy with Relational Trauma Part II: Psychotherapeutic Applications

Ken Benau

Abstract


In Part 1 of this two-part article, I explored the phenomenology of pride and shame, on the one hand, and dissociation, on the other, in survivors of relational trauma. Specifically, I discussed the direction and quality of attention in self and other, and the mind/body's organization in pride, shame, and dissociation. While in Part 1 I offer some treatment applications, in this, Part 2, I extend my observations to consider further psychotherapeutic implications with survivors of relational trauma. Specifically, I discuss the therapeutic implications of directionality, focus of attention, quality of gazing, and connecting or coalescing versus disconnecting or breaking apart. Clinical and personal vignettes are sprinkled throughout this paper, with both specific and more generalized understandings and applications clarified.


Keywords


Shame; Pride; Dissociation; Structural Dissociation; Phenomenology; Trauma; Relational Trauma; Attention, Gazing; Self States; Psychotherapy.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Barral, C. & Meares, R. (2019). The Holistic Project of Pierre Janet: Part Two: Oscillations and Becomings. From Disintegration to Integration. In G. Craparo, F. Ortu & O. Van der Hart, Eds. (2019). Rediscovering Pierre Janet: Trauma, Dissociation, and a New Context for Psychoanalysis. New York: Routledge. Doi: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429201875

Benau, K. (2017). Shame, Attachment, and Psychotherapy: Phenomenology, Neurophysiology, Relational Trauma, and Harbingers of Healing. Attachment: New Directions in Psychotherapy and Relational Psychoanalysis, 11, 1–27.

Benau, K. (2018). Pride in the psychotherapy of relational trauma: Conceptualization and treatment considerations. European Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 2, 131–146. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2018.03.002

Bowen, B. (2013). The Body in Psychotherapy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4jPYKBilm4. Accessed January 17, 2020.

Bowen, M. (1978). Family Therapy in Clinical Practice. New York: Jason Aronson.

Bromberg, P. M. (2011a). Awakening the Dreamer: Clinical Journeys. New York: Routledge.

Bromberg, P. M. (2011b). The Shadow of the Tsunami and the Growth of the Relational Mind. New York: Routledge.

Buber, M. (1923/1970). I and Thou (transl. W. Kaufmann). Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark.

Craparo, G., Ortu, F. & Van der Hart, O. Eds. (2019). Rediscovering Pierre Janet: Trauma, Dissociation, and a New Context for Psychoanalysis. New York: Routledge. Doi: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429201875

DePrince, A.P., Huntjens, R.J.C., & Dorahy, M.J. (2015). Alienation appraisals distinguish adults diagnosed with DID from PTSD. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Practice, and Policy. 7(6), 578-582. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000069

Ecker, B., Ticic, R., & Hulley, L. (2012). Unlocking the Emotional Brain: Eliminating Symptoms at Their Roots Using Memory Reconsolidation. New York: Routledge.

Fosha, D. (2000). The Transforming Power of Affect: A Model for Accelerated Change. New York: Basic Behavioral Science.

Herman, J. L. (2006). PTSD as a Shame Disorder. Somerville, MA: Harvard Medical School.

Herman, J. L. (2007). Shattered Shame States and Their Repair. Somerville, MA: Harvard Medical School.

Herman, J.L. (2012). Shattered Shame States and their Repair. In Yellin, J. & White, K., Eds. (2012). Shattered States: Disorganised Attachment and Its Repair. London: Karnac Books, 157-170.

Hicks, D. (2011). Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict. Hartford, Connecticut: Yale University Press.

Janet, P. (1919). Psychological Healing. New York: Macmillan.

Janet, P. (1925). Principles of Psychotherapy. London: Allen & Unwin.

Kaufman, G. (1989–1996). The Psychology of Shame: Theory and Treatment of Shame-based Syndromes (2nd ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company.

Kaufman, G. (1992). Shame: The Power of Caring (3rd ed.). Rochester, VT: Schenkman Books.

Langer, S.K. (1953). Feeling and Form: A Theory of Art. New York: Charles Scribner’s and Sons.

Malloch, S. & Trevarthen, C. (2018). The Human Nature of Music. Frontiers in Psychology, 9 (1680), 1-21.

Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy. New York: Norton.

Scheff, T. S. (In Press). A Social Theory and Treatment of Depression. http://scheff.faculty.soc.ucsb.edu/main.php?id=62.html (accessed December 28, 2019).

Schimmenti, A. (September 8, 2018a). Personal communication, originally posted on the Dissociative Disorders Listserve (DISSOC). Quoted with permission.

Schmidt, S. J. (2009). The Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy: An Ego State Therapy. San Antonio, TX: DNMS Institute.

Schore, A. N. (2003). The effects of relational trauma on right brain development, affect regulation, and infant mental health. Infant Mental Health Journal, 22, 201–269. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0355(200101/04)22:1<201::AID-IMHJ8>3.0.CO;2-9

Schwarz, L., Corrigan, F., Hull, A., & Raju, R. (2017). The Comprehensive Resource Model: Effective Therapeutic Techniques for the Healing of Complex Trauma. New York: Routledge.

Siegel, D. J. (1999). The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are. New York; Guilford Press.

Van der Hart, O., Brown, P. & Van der Kolk, B. (1989). Pierre Janet's Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2(4), 1-11. Doi: doi.org/10.1007/BF00974597

Walker, J. (January 4, 2020). Dissociative Disorders Listserv, personal communication, with permission to publish.

White, M. & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends. New York: Norton.

Whitman, W. (1991). "I Sing the Body Electric." Selected Poems. New York: Dover.

Wonder, S. “Golden Lady” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS2yMn3JbQk, accessed January 17, 2020).




DOI: https://doi.org/10.6092/2282-1619/mjcp-2155

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.