logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2024
48m 1s

Toxic Shame Of Complex Post Traumatic St...

Jennifer Wallace & Elisabeth Kristof
About this episode

As a human, you have most likely felt shame to some degree. Although it is a normal human protective emotion to keep us safe on a societal level, shame can become toxic when it persists and when we internalize the critical narrative from that shame. Toxic shame shows up in many ways, however, the way it shows up physiologically is understood the least, but the most telling. From posture, dilated pupils, tense muscles, to inflammation in the body, headaches, and diseases, it is possible to visibly see shame on a person’s body. This is a result of the body protecting itself, and there is no shame in that. However once it becomes maladaptive, and absolute “I am” statements start becoming permanent fixtures in rumination, one’s perception of self shifts, which can eventually cause serious mental and physical health issues. On today’s episode, Elisabeth and Jennifer discuss how toxic shame differs from regular shame, how toxic shame shows up, what happens in the body when it does, where toxic shame originates from, how shame and pleasure shows up in those with a history of childhood sexual abuse, and what you can do to recognize and repattern toxic shame with Neuro-Somatic Coaching.

Just as toxic shame is developed, it can be undeveloped, by learning how to recognize when and how it shows up in the body, then repatterning the neural pathways in real time using NSI tools, and allowing repressed emotions to mobilize. This episode is filled with knowledge and insight you don’t want to miss. Tune in for this and more! Topics discussed in this episode:

 

  • The difference between guilt and shame
  • Difference between regular shame and toxic shame
  • How toxic shame affects posture
  • How shame is a protective response
  • What is shame inflammation and its correlation to disease states?
  • Why mobilizing the body is crucial to process emotions
  • What is emotional attunement?
  • Overcoupling of shame and pleasure in the case of childhood sexual abuse
  • The types of body boundary violations
  • What to do if you are having a toxic shame response?
  • Why it’s important for practitioners to understand when a client is in a shame response
  • Repattering shame in real time

 

 

Contact us about private Rewire Neuro-Somatic Coaching: https://brainbased-wellness.com/rewire-private-neuro-somatic-coaching/

Learn more about the Neuro-Somatic Intelligence Coaching program and sign up for the spring cohort now! https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com

 

Get started training your nervous system with our FREE 2-week offer on the Brain Based Membership site: https://www.rewiretrial.com

 

Connect with us on social media: @trauma.rewired

 

Join the Trauma Rewired Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846

 

FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired

 

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

 

Trauma Rewired podcast  is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. 

We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. 

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available.  We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We  invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization.

We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs. 

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional.

The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. 

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. 

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us jennifer@traumarewired.com  All rights in our content are reserved

Up next
Jul 7
What is Parentification? A nervous system deep dive
Explore the Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching Certification: https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/ What if the invisible responsibilities you carried as a child are still shaping your adult life? In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we explore parentification—a hidden form of chil ... Show More
36m 50s
Jun 30
Fear Memory, The Brain, And The Roots of PTSD
Why do some people develop PTSD after trauma while others recover? What if it’s not about the trauma itself, but the state of your nervous system when it happens? In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we’re joined again by Matt Bush, founder of Next Level Neuro and a lead educator i ... Show More
43m 47s
Jun 23
Overstimulated, Overwhelmed, Misunderstood; ADHD through the Neurosomatic Lens
When we think of ADHD, we often define it as a list of symptoms: distractibility, impulsivity, hyperactivity. But what if this view is incomplete? What if ADHD is not a deficit at all, but an intelligent set of adaptations your nervous system made to survive in a world that didn’ ... Show More
49m 53s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
Complex Feelings and Shame about Childhood Sexual Abuse
Learn to regulate your nervous system with my free course- Grounding Skills for Anxiety, and PTSD: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/grounding-skills-for-anxiety-stress-and-ptsd/?utm_medium=YTDescription&utm_source=YouTube This podcast is for those of you who were sexually a ... Show More
14m 29s
Mar 2025
Talking about Trauma won't heal you
Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Talking about trauma doesn’t heal trauma. For a lot of people, it makes them feel much worse especially if you have PTSD. This is one thing that sets human brains ap ... Show More
22m 17s
May 2
How to Heal from Shame, Guilt and Regret
Join Therapy in a Nutshell’s membership and get instant access to all 10 life-changing courses, live weekly Q&As, and a supportive community for just $27/month. Learn how to manage anxiety, process trauma, regulate emotions, and build lasting resilience. Take small, powerful step ... Show More
24m 49s
Sep 2020
02 - THERAPY - Discussing regrets and how to heal from regret, guilt and shame
Hi friends! Welcome to Episode 2 of OPENHOUSE, where I have my first LIVE therapy session with Dr. Helene. Together, not knowing where the session would take us, we began by exploring how I felt about doing live therapy. Having gone through a couple of months of therapy already, ... Show More
45m 39s
Mar 2025
How To Control Your Inner Voice & Fix Your Negative Self-Talk | Dr. Ethan Kross
Ethan Kross is a Professor in the University of Michigan’s Psychology Department and Ross School of Business. He is the director of the Emotion & Self-Control Lab. His research examines how people can control their thoughts, feelings and behaviors to improve their lives.Today on ... Show More
46m 31s
Dec 2023
412: Broken Trust: The Impact Of Betrayal Trauma + How EMDR Can Help With Marcken Volmy LMHC, NCC
Welcome back to Therapy Chat. This week I interviewed author, EMDR-Certified therapist and Consultant In Training Marcken Volmy, LMHC about how EMDR can help with betrayal trauma and the impact of broken trust. We explored how betrayal by trusted figures and institutions can shat ... Show More
37m 31s
Apr 10
477: Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness with Dr. David Treleaven
Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week we're bringing back an interview with Dr. David Treleaven, PhD., author of "Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness".David Treleaven, PhD, is a writer, educator, and trauma professional whose work focuses on the intersection of mindfulness, trauma, an ... Show More
52m 25s
Feb 2024
Cognitive Therapy Overview
Healthy//ToxicHealthy versus Toxic is a podcast where licensed mental health professionals explore what makes a relationship healthy or unhealthy. Our hosts aim to provide a scientifically informed perspective on what factors go into making healthy relationships, how to build sec ... Show More
10m 34s
Jun 2024
Healing Toxic Shame
Welcome to Shrink for the Shy Guy, where we tackle the fears, self-doubt, social anxiety, and shyness that hold you back from being your true self. In today’s episode, "Healing Toxic Shame," we’re diving deep into a topic that’s often hidden away but profoundly impacts us all. Do ... Show More
19m 25s
Dec 2024
Re-Regulating your Nervous System after CPTSD with Crappy Childhood Fairy Anna Runkle
Learn the skills to regulate your emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Check out Anna's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZlDCbFTqHkzV_rUP4V5bg In this episode, we delve into the concept of complex PTSD and how dysregulat ... Show More
42m 42s