Lisa Etherson’s Shame Containment Theory (SCT) is a revolutionary framework that offers therapists a new way to approach this hidden force. SCT reveals shame’s relational origins in attachment injuries, uncovers its protective function, and provides practical strategies to manage its many manifestations. By understanding shame as a process – not just a feeling – therapists can help clients break free from destructive cycles and move toward resilience, granting clients the permission to acknowledge and hold shame without judgment.

This course combines clear, accessible teaching with actionable strategies, equipping participants to recognise, understand, and transform shame. Whether working with clients who feel trapped in self-doubt or those caught in behaviours that mask deeper vulnerabilities, SCT provides a roadmap for meaningful change.

Why Shame Containment Theory?

Shame is often overlooked or oversimplified in therapy training, leaving practitioners unequipped to address its profound impact. What sets SCT apart is its ability to provide therapists with:

• A Clear Framework for Understanding Shame: SCT explores shame as a relational emotion rooted in attachment injuries, offering therapists a structured approach to working with it.
• Tools for Action: SCT doesn’t just explain shame – it provides practical, adaptable strategies to help clients manage and reframe it.
• A New Lens on Familiar Challenges: From perfectionism to compulsive behaviours, SCT illuminates the role of shame in common clinical presentations, helping therapists connect the dots and address underlying dynamics.

SCT is particularly powerful when working with:

• Clients grappling with unrelenting self-criticism, imposter syndrome, or perfectionism.
• Relational struggles rooted in shame-based feelings of unworthiness or rejection.
• Behaviours such as avoidance, emotional shutdowns, or compulsive actions linked to unresolved shame.

What will you learn?

This course introduces the essential components of SCT, blending theoretical insights with real-world applications to ensure participants leave with practical, actionable tools.

1. Understanding Attachment Injuries: Discover how childhood relational wounds – neglect, emotional coldness, or rejection – shape shame’s development and persistence into adulthood.
2. Recognising Contained and Uncontained Shame: Learn to distinguish between quiet, internalised shame (contained) and its overwhelming counterpart (uncontained), helping you tailor interventions to meet your client’s needs.
3. Mapping Shame Containment Strategies: Unpack how clients manage shame through behaviours like perfectionism, avoidance, or people-pleasing. Understand when these strategies are protective and when they become barriers to growth.
4. Mastering Re-Containment Techniques: Develop tools to help clients regain emotional balance after shame has been triggered, turning breakdowns into breakthroughs.
5. Case Studies in Action: Explore vivid, real-world examples of SCT in practice, from clients stuck in cycles of self-criticism to those struggling with relational and emotional disconnection.
6. Transforming the Therapist-Client Dynamic: Reflect on your own emotional responses to shame and how they influence your therapeutic work, equipping you to guide clients with greater authenticity and by granting permission to help clients recognise and hold shame without fear.

This content-rich course offers both depth and practicality, ensuring you leave with a comprehensive understanding of SCT and its immediate applications in therapy.

Why this training is essential:

Shame often hides in plain sight, woven into the fabric of anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and relational difficulties. Without addressing shame directly, therapeutic progress can stall, leaving clients feeling stuck. SCT bridges a critical gap in therapy by providing a structured, compassionate approach to one of the most challenging emotions we encounter.

Therapists who master SCT gain the confidence to:

• Recognise shame in its many forms.
• Address its roots in attachment injuries.
• Help clients build healthier relationships with themselves by allowing the experience of shame in a way that fosters growth and connection.

This training is not just a toolkit – it’s a transformative perspective that deepens therapeutic practice and helps clients find freedom from shame’s grip.

About Lisa Etherson

Lisa Etherson, psychosexual therapist and PhD researcher, brings over a decade of clinical experience and academic insight to her work. As the co-founder of The Shame Training Company, Lisa has spent eight years developing Shame Containment Theory, a groundbreaking framework that equips therapists to understand and manage shame effectively. Her teaching blends compassion, expertise, and practical strategies, empowering therapists to transform their practice and support clients in profound ways.

Step into the transformative power of SCT

This training is designed for psychotherapists, counsellors, and social workers ready to elevate their understanding of shame and its role in therapy. Whether you’re encountering shame in your practice for the first time or seeking fresh perspectives, this course offers the insights and tools you need. Places are limited – reserve your spot today and unlock the potential of Shame Containment Theory.

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