How to Overcome Toxic Shame with Peter A. Levine, PhD

Is shame getting in the way of your healing?

Dr. Levine, the esteemed father of body-based trauma work and developer of Somatic Experiencing®, reveals how to acknowledge unspoken factors that led to feelings of shame and humiliation, and reframe negative beliefs so you can get back to being your best self.

“It is my deepest desire that this healing journey will help free you from the torment of pain and unnecessary suffering. I hope you choose to join me in this experiential learning opportunity that will help bring you back to your inner self—and finally achieve freedom from pain.” —Peter A. Levine, PhD

About Peter A. Levine, PhD

Dr. Levine is the developer of Somatic Experiencing®, a naturalistic and neurobiological approach to healing trauma and resolving stress. He holds doctorates in both biophysics and psychology. He is the founder and president of the Ergos Institute of Somatic Education and the founder and advisor for Somatic Experiencing International.

Sounds True was founded in 1985 by Tami Simon with a clear mission: to disseminate spiritual wisdom. Since starting out as a project with one woman and her tape recorder, we have grown into a multimedia publishing company with more than 80 employees, a library of more than 1500 titles featuring some of the leading teachers and visionaries of our time, and an ever-expanding family of customers from across the world. In more than three decades of growth, change, and evolution, Sounds True has maintained its focus on its overriding purpose, as summed up in our Mission Statement.

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[deelicious]

To the little girl in me, I want her to know, “Your mother’s angst, anger, and unhappiness had nothing to do with you.” ❤

[curiouscarpenter]

I would say to my three-year-old self, "Brace yourself little man, this is going to hurt, a lot, but there will be love"

[haddadiwanassa]

I had this feeling that all those people around are better than me. That i was less than, worse, worthless person than they are. I always felt i carried huge hole inside me. That there is something so bad about me that i got abused criticised abandoned and neglected as a little girl. I felt rejected and that it was my fault. Not anymore, its time to correct false beliefs . Heal and forgive. Wish you all peace and love in your lives ❤ we deserve it

[tizzlekizzle]

Imagine a family that only shames. Zero validation. Taking only, give nothing.

[juneahernauthor]

I say to my 10 year old self, you were just a little girl dependent on those who should have kept you safe. They didn't. Little girl, you are free to be loved and be safe.

[saraheva]

I would say to my 6 year old self: you deserved those shoes you asked for. Asking for those shoes is not the reason you parents fought like your mom said and blamed you for. You were worthy of those shoes and worthy of asking for things ❤️

[sabelondlovu]

School counselors should be equipped with this information. A lot happens to us at schools and at home.

[amandalynngibson]

Thank you. The validation is huge.
Ostracized by 2 older sisters in the home where the adults were crazy: drug and mentally ill. I was on my own at 13- legally emancipated at 14.
Soon I turn 65....I am grateful for the people who helped so far.
I have so much more work to do.
🙏🌷

[lieagain]

Bullied by the boys and ostracized by the girls in my 6th-grade friend group while being emotionally neglected by my father. It's a wound that I have struggled to heal for 30 years.

[sunnygirl]

I would tell my 14 year old self, "honor yourself. Honor your beautiful body, mind and spirit. TRUST your own intuition and knowing. Your mother's rage and pain had nothing to do with you. Be Compassionate but with healthy boundaries. "

[dublewr]

I was shamed for my existence..it was selfish to have a sense of self so I wanted something I felt ashamed of that..I was ashamed of myself..

[caseyc]

Thank you soo much for posting this. I’m all of a sudden having all of my adolescent has come to the surface and I’m in an immense amount of pain and I needed to hear this. I can’t believe it was posted a week ago. Thank you!

[BandofAdventurers]

My 5-year-old self: You are okay. There is nothing wrong with you. You didn't' do anything. You deserved a loving father and a family that saw you and wanted to know you. You deserved comfort and love. I am here for you to provide all of that.

[cindychurch]

I’ve done some inner child work as a result of trauma from a very young age. My father was an alcoholic and pretty much no existent in my life even though we lived in the same house. He never acknowledged me as a person let alone his daughter. As a result there was an uncomfortable relationship with all men. Two divorces later I did meet someone who saw the real me and loved me. He passed away five years later. I’m 67 and I have a long way to heal. Ben gave me self confidence and unconditional love, and I’m still grieving his loss after 6 years

[strangerintheselands]

"You cannot move fully into life when you are in the posture of shame" - this literally sums up the feeling of being a cigarette stubbed out into ground, the way I feel, a heavy coat on my shoulders and no joy for life. I told my adolescent self: you have a good heart, you will be over it, i'm with you, i'm not leaving, you will flourish and be able to share and help others, you will manage, they don't know what they're doing, never received love themselves, And I burst into tears. A 44 year old man, considered talented by many of my friends. That was very touching. And the gesture of bending and straightening - really got me in touch with healthy pride again.

[APOLLINAIREBARTHOLOMIEU]

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

[Ella-tfyv]

I'd tell my 15 year old self that she didn't deserve to be ostracised, rejected, and humiliated. She didn't deserve to be treated like she was dirt, like she was worthless. That anyone who treats her like that doesn't deserve her.

It's hard because i still believe im worth less than other people. I still believe all the bad things about myself. I still hate her, hate myself, deep down.

[JoyfulUniter]

The opposite of shame is not pride it's acceptance. Pride is a really bad thing lol. Someone's pride is the reason I'm here healing from shame, lemme put it that way.

[quinn_X]

I had both Shame and rejection at home and bullying and humiliation at school by people who were my friends first.

[cleestacy]

Yes!, and taking “responsibility” then feels so painful as a kid when it’s not even your responsibility.

So naturally when we grow up, and we’re told “take responsibility for your life”, that feels painful and like blame.