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Shame Matters (The Bowlby Centre Monograph Series)
Winner of the 2022 Gradiva® Award for Best Edited Book! Understanding shame as a relational problem, Shame Matters explores how people, with support, can gradually move away from the relentless cycle of shame and find new and more satisfying ways of relating. Orit Badouk Epstein brings together experts from across the world to explore different aspects of shame from an attachment perspective. The impact of racism and socio-economic factors on the development and experience of shame are discussed and illustrated with clinical narratives. Drawing upon the experience of infant researchers, trauma experts and therapists using somatic interventions, Shame Matters explores and develops understanding of the shameful deflations encountered in the consulting room and describes how new and empowered ways of relating can be nurtured. The book also details attachment-informed research into the experience of shame and outlines how it can be applied to clinical practice. Shame Matters will be an invaluable companion for psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, counsellors, social workers, nurses, and others in the helping professions. Read more
About This Book
Winner of the 2022 Gradiva® Award for Best Edited Book! Understanding shame as a relational problem, Shame Matters explores how people, with support, can gradually move away from the relentless cycle of shame and find new and more satisfying ways of relating. Orit Badouk Epstein brings together experts from across the world to explore different aspects of shame from an attachment perspective. The impact of racism and socio-economic factors on the development and experience of shame are discussed and illustrated with clinical narratives. Drawing upon the experience of infant researchers, trauma experts and therapists using somatic interventions, Shame Matters explores and develops understanding of the shameful deflations encountered in the consulting room and describes how new and empowered ways of relating can be nurtured. The book also details attachment-informed research into the experience of shame and outlines how it can be applied to clinical practice. Shame Matters will be an invaluable companion for psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, counsellors, social workers, nurses, and others in the helping professions. Read more
| ISBN-13 | 9781032007755 |
| ISBN-10 | 1032007753 |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Publication Date | September 2021 |
| Edition | 1 |
| Pages | 194 |
| Language | English |
| Dimensions | 6.14 x 0.44 x 9.21 inches |
| Weight | 10.4 ounces |
Expert Analysis & Insights
In-depth editorial assessment across key dimensions
The book offers a comprehensive exploration of shame from multiple angles—attachment, neurobiology, race, dissociation, and group dynamics—making it a substantial contribution to the field. Chapters like 'Shame as a behavioral system' and 'The aggressor within' provide in-depth theoretical models, while the foreword and introduction synthesize the overall framework. The inclusion of diverse expert perspectives ensures broad coverage of shame's manifestations and treatments.
Suitable as a core text for advanced courses on shame and attachment, and as a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers seeking a multifaceted understanding. For a more exhaustive reference, it should be supplemented with specialized texts on shame in specific populations or therapeutic modalities.
The book aligns with advanced training in psychotherapy, clinical psychology, and psychiatry, particularly in areas of attachment, trauma, and dissociation. It could be integrated into postgraduate courses on relational psychoanalysis or trauma-informed care, offering contemporary perspectives that complement standard curricula. The diversity of topics, including race and shame, supports cultural competency training.
Best used as a recommended reading in elective courses on attachment, trauma, or psychotherapy integration. It is not suitable as a primary textbook for medical students or residents but can enrich specialized training in mental health professions.
The book synthesizes contemporary research on shame and attachment, drawing on contributions from leading researchers like Judith Solomon, who proposes a novel shame behavioral system model, and integrating findings from infant research, trauma studies, and neurobiology. The foreword and chapters cite seminal works (e.g., Bowlby, Lewis, Lynd) and recent studies, providing a solid evidence base for the theoretical arguments. The inclusion of diverse perspectives, including race and socio-economic factors, addresses gaps in the literature on shame.
Useful as a reference for researchers exploring the intersection of shame, attachment, and trauma, offering new conceptual models and clinical observations that can generate hypotheses. For systematic evidence reviews, readers should consult primary research articles and meta-analyses in attachment and shame literature.
The book includes an index and a table of contents that allow for basic navigation. The foreword and introduction provide a clear overview of the book's themes, helping readers identify relevant chapters.
Not suitable as a quick-reference clinical manual; it is best read cover-to-cover or in chapter-length segments. For specific topics, readers may need to use the index and then read entire chapters to extract relevant information.
The book engages readers through compelling clinical narratives and personal reflections, such as Elaine Arnold's account of racial shame, which foster emotional connection and motivation. The theoretical discussions are thought-provoking and encourage critical reflection on one's own therapeutic practice, particularly in the chapters on primary shame and shamelessness.
Ideal for reflective practitioners who enjoy narrative-driven learning and are motivated to integrate new concepts into their work. For structured learning, it should be used in a seminar or study group where discussion can deepen understanding.
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