Abstract
Though often hidden, shame is a powerful and painful emotion that underlies many of
the issues that clients bring to psychotherapy. The focus of this study is on the
manifestation of shame in the therapeutic relationship. Through a qualitative
investigation with seven experienced therapists the study sought to uncover how
shame presents and impacts the therapist client dyad. Using a thematic analysis
approach to the findings, themes of attachment, embodiment, and the unconscious
enactment of shame in the transferential and countertransferential relationship were
identified. The rich data illustrated the difficulty in working with shame when clients
are often highly defended and shamed about their shame. Amongst the findings, the
study identified the body both as a container and source of shame, the defences used
in shame, and how the expression of shame differs for men and women. Through an
awareness of the presence and manifestation of shame, there exists the possibility for
therapists to open up a space for it to be brought in and normalised.
