Is the Analytic Situation Shame‐Producing?

Abstract

The question whether the analytic situation is shame-producing has to be answered in an affirmative way. But it is often difficult to discern to what extent this is a quite natural reaction to the 'artificial inequality' of the analytic situation itself, of which patients so often complain. Indeed, it is also in most cases due to the patient's excessive susceptibility to shame and his/her transference feelings. Yet, on the whole, shame has an important place in the economy of the psyche. It can have a blocking, counterproductive influence on the analysis, but this is not necessarily so. Shame can be defined as a 'guardian of human dignity' in at least two senses. We react with shame if we are afraid of losing dignity 'in the eyes of others'. But shame is also aroused--at best--if we betray our inner integrity and truth. Although analysts should be sensitive to their patients' vulnerability to shame, avoiding unnecessary and counterproductive shaming, they still need to face issues of shame for the sake of the individuation process. This may result in greater self-acceptance, including one's shadow, and a shift may take place; we may become less fearful of what others think of us and more concerned to adhere to our own truth.