The role of shame in interpersonal violence

Abstract

This practicum thesis explores the role that shame plays in healing from interpersonal violence. The practicum took place at Health Sciences North (Violence Intervention and Protection Program) and at the Voices for Women Sexual Assault Centre. This culmination of the learning experience describes the practicum environment, work experience, learning goals, academic and clinical supervision process, and activities involved in the learning process. It considers the empirical research on the relationship between shame and trauma and provides a theoretical framework that includes both psychological and meta-theories related to social work practice, through which the learning process was informed. This thesis considers the relationship between shame and healing from interpersonal trauma in three work environments: in the direct support of clients accessing the treatment facilities, in group therapy work with survivors, and in one-to-one trauma counselling sessions with sexual assault survivors. It considers the importance of addressing shame and shame triggers by social workers in the course of their reflexive practice. Additionally, it examines valuable methods for addressing shame within the practice environment, including the important role social connection plays in the healing process, the significance of depathologizing traumatic responses, strategies for increasing survivor empowerment and the importance of addressing shame within the therapeutic relationship. Finally, it explores the course of disclosure and the value and risks involved in the disclosure of interpersonal trauma in both group and individual therapeutic session environments.