Shame and guilt

A person leaning against a wall under a light in a dimly lit alley with graffiti-covered walls.
ADDICTION

The shame felt in addiction often isn’t toxic – it’s healing

The push to take shame out of recovery is well-meaning. But it overlooks the power this emotion has to motivate change

by Owen Flanagan

Photo of a woman in a kitchen spreading jam on toast with a spoon.
EATING DISORDERS

The important link between eating disorders and past trauma

For someone who’s endured trauma, an eating disorder might be one of the aftereffects. That should inform their recovery

by Giulia Suro

Illustration of two people holding hands while walking in the sea, with a sunset in the background. One wears a pink shirt; the other a skirt.
SEX AND SEXUALITY

Sarah recalls how sex, religion and shame have intertwined in her mind

Directed by Lori Malépart-Traversy

Black and white photo of a crowd of people walking down a cobblestone street with buildings in the background.
SHAME AND GUILT

Personal and political shaming is running hot, yet it doesn’t work

When passions run high so does the urge to shame wrongdoers. But if the goal is to change, shamers should think twice

by David Keen

Painting of a contemplative woman in a brown dress holding flowers, with a mountainous landscape and church in the background.
SHAME AND GUILT

How to forgive yourself

Finding it hard to move past a hurtful mistake? With these steps toward repair and renewal, you can do and feel better

by Nathaniel Wade & Marilyn Cornish

Photo of a person sitting on grass sketching in a notebook, showing their hands and feet in a relaxed outdoor setting.
EMERGING THERAPIES

How to get to know all (the parts) of you

An emerging form of psychotherapy offers some surprising ways to think about who you are and work towards self-acceptance

by Derek Scott

Painting of a woman in a grey dress leaning on a red sofa, her face buried in her hands, evoking a sense of sorrow.
SHAME AND GUILT

How to cope with shame

Do you feel perpetually bad, broken or unlovable? These tools will help you relate to yourself in a fairer, gentler way

by Michaela B Swee & Susan Murray

Abstract black and grey watercolour painting of a contemplative person sitting against a white background.
THE BODY AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

How to love your body

Are you unhappy with what you see in the mirror? Getting comfortable in your own skin can be hard work, but it’s worth it

by Charlotte H Markey

A marble statue of a man covering his face with his hand set against a dark blue background.
SHAME AND GUILT

How to save yourself another pointless guilt trip

Just because you feel guilty doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. Relax the rules you live by and set yourself free

by Aziz Gazipura

Medieval manuscript illustration of a person in stocks with two figures nearby, one in red with a basket.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND JUSTICE

The history of humiliation points to the future of human dignity

Humiliation requires a complicit audience. To become truly ‘decent societies’, we need to educate people against joining in

by Ute Frevert