Self-Compassion for Shame (6 Week Online)
With Victoria Pawlowski M.Ed., R.C.C. and Laura Shakun, PsyD
November 1 - December 6, 2026
“The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” – William James
Shame is everywhere. Whenever we feel bad about ourselves, for whatever reason, there is a touch of shame. Shame can occur when we feel judged by others or when we judge ourselves. It can happen when we do something wrong and when we’re entirely innocent of wrongdoing. Shame strikes at the core of our being but has nothing to do with who we really are.
Shame is the most difficult human emotion. What makes shame so challenging is that most of us would rather do anything than feel shame. Our first instinct is to “go small, go silent, or go away.” Sometimes we go on the attack, criticizing ourselves or others. We may also try to numb ourselves by escaping into unhealthy behaviors. When shame is present in our lives, there’s often no one home to work with it.
Self-compassion is an antidote to shame. It’s the opposite of shame—self-kindness instead of self-criticism, common humanity instead of isolation, and mindfulness instead of rumination. The process of alleviating shame begins by recognizing that shame is an innocent emotion—it arises from the universal wish to be loved. If we didn’t wish to be loved, we wouldn’t feel shame. The next step is to give ourselves the compassion we so desperately need—self-compassion.
Developed by Dr. Chris Germer and The Centre for Mindful Self-Compassion, this workshop is an experiential journey into self-compassion for shame. We will explore the nature of shame, it’s causes (including social oppression), and learn simple skills to identify shame in our daily lives and transform it, safely and effectively, through the power of self-compassion. Meditation practitioners will be able to integrate these tools into their contemplative practices and psychotherapists will learn new skills to work with shame in clinical settings.
This course will be limited to 16 participants who have attended previous Mindful Self-Compassion training programs and/or who have experience with Metta practice. If you are unsure, please contact us to discuss. Shame is the most difficult emotion to deal with for most of us and we want to make sure you have some experience and practice with meeting difficult emotions with compassion.
This program is experiential. Each week we will offer a new teaching about Shame, guided meditation/practice, journal reflection, small group and large group discussion.
Teachers
Victoria Pawlowski is a Psychotherapist and Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher who has been practicing and teaching Mindful Self-Compassion at Bethlehem Centre since 2014. She is grateful for her co-teachers, mentors and all the participants who have shared this path of learning to turn towards our difficult experiences with the balm of self-compassion. Victoria is passionate about contributing to a more compassionate world through the development of personal skills and resources that can help us our include ourselves in our big arms of compassion for others.
Learn more about Victoria Pawlowski M.Ed., R.C.C.
Laura Shakun, PsyD is a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience in clinics, hospitals, and private practice settings. She regularly incorporates Buddhist psychology, mindfulness, and compassion-based practices into her clinical work. Dr. Shakun is a trained teacher in the Mindful Self-Compassion course through the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. She is delighted to share these practices, offering their benefits to cultivate a sense of well-being, kindness, and steadiness in daily life.
Learn more about Laura Shakun, PsyD