Thanks, and...Offender therapy cont...

• Shame and offender therapy by Rich Kuyper, 1/3/97
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    • Yes, Yes, Yes, And... by Vick Kelly, 1/20/97
      
      

Thank you both for the very positive feedback and insights into your own work and working concepts. Hopefully, this wonderful opportunity for collegial exchange will help us all be better therapists. On Monday I introduced the concept of scripts in my DV offenders group and we discussed the biographical contribution to our choice of shame management strategies. I also got feedback from group members on their success with their ‘working assignment’ of cultivating shame-free communication with their partners and others. Unsurprisingly, results varied (Rome wasn’t built etc. etc.), yet several DID report positive results and were clearly enthusiastic about the usefulness of “this shame stuff”. What is gratifying is to observe the gradual easing of the RESISTANCE to openly discussing shame issues as such discussion becomes normalized within the group. For three or four weeks now I have routinely begun each session by drawing the compass of shame on the whiteboard and have rather consistently encouraged group members to interpret the ongoing anecdotal reports (their own and others’) of interpersonal conflict reported in group via the compass. This becomes an interactive excercise in which the guys begin to recognize styles of shame management in themselves and others. It also seems to ‘loosen up’ our natural resistence to focusing on shame issues. To be continued...

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