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Treating Shame-Based Identity After Long-Term Emotional Abuse (3 CEU's)
HIGH-RISK & CLINICAL EDGE CASES
Treating Shame-Based Identity After Long-Term Emotional Abuse – 3 CEUs
Overview:
Long-term emotional abuse can profoundly shape the way individuals see themselves, relate to others, and understand their worth. Clients with histories of chronic criticism, humiliation, manipulation, coercive control, emotional neglect, or repeated invalidation often develop deeply rooted shame-based identities that extend beyond symptoms alone. Rather than experiencing shame as an emotion, many individuals come to experience shame as an identity—believing they are fundamentally flawed, unlovable, inadequate, “too much,” or inherently defective. These beliefs often persist long after abusive relationships have ended and may influence relationships, work functioning, emotional regulation, self-worth, and treatment progress.
In this presentation, Dr. Zairys Feliz, Ph.D., LCSW, participants will examine trauma-informed approaches for working with clients whose identities have been shaped by chronic emotional abuse and internalized shame. Attendees will explore how prolonged relational trauma and attachment experiences contribute to negative self-concepts, emotional avoidance, perfectionism, people-pleasing, hypervigilance, and difficulty accepting care or safety. The course will address the distinction between guilt and shame, the role of internalized abusive narratives, and common patterns that maintain shame-based identity structures over time. Participants will learn practical strategies for strengthening self-awareness, supporting corrective emotional experiences, addressing self-critical processes, and fostering identity development beyond trauma narratives. Through clinical examples and applied discussion, attendees will gain tools for helping clients move from shame-driven survival patterns toward greater self-compassion and authentic identity development.
Objectives:
Identify how long-term emotional abuse contributes to the development and maintenance of shame-based identity patterns.
Recognize common cognitive, emotional, relational, and behavioral manifestations of chronic shame in adult clients.
Apply trauma-informed interventions that support identity reconstruction, self-compassion, and reduction of shame-based patterns.
Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This course provides licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with an overview of trauma-informed approaches for treating shame-related difficulties following long-term emotional abuse. Participants will learn assessment and intervention strategies relevant to outpatient clinical practice. This training does not provide certification in trauma-processing modalities or comprehensive instruction in specialized trauma treatment approaches. Participants are expected to apply course material within their professional scope of practice, ethical standards, and ongoing consultation when appropriate.
Financial and Commercial Disclosure
The presenter has no relevant financial relationships or conflicts of interest to disclose. Any references to therapeutic frameworks, trauma theories, interventions, or resources are included solely for educational purposes. Participants are not required to purchase any additional materials to complete this course.
Refund Policy – Live CE Trainings (Virtual & In-Person)
All registrations for live CE trainings are subject to this refund policy. By enrolling, participants agree to these terms. Cancellations made 7 days or more prior to the scheduled training date are eligible for a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee, or participants may elect to receive a full credit toward a future training. Cancellations made less than 7 days before the scheduled training are non-refundable; however, registrations may be transferred to another eligible training or another attendee with prior written approval. Participants who fail to attend a scheduled live training, do not complete attendance requirements, or fail to satisfy course participation requirements are not eligible for refunds or CEUs. If a training is canceled or rescheduled by the provider, registrants will be offered either a full refund or the opportunity to transfer to another training. Refunds will not be issued if participants are unable to earn CEUs due to incomplete attendance, failure to complete required evaluations, or licensing board eligibility restrictions.
HIGH-RISK & CLINICAL EDGE CASES
Treating Shame-Based Identity After Long-Term Emotional Abuse – 3 CEUs
Overview:
Long-term emotional abuse can profoundly shape the way individuals see themselves, relate to others, and understand their worth. Clients with histories of chronic criticism, humiliation, manipulation, coercive control, emotional neglect, or repeated invalidation often develop deeply rooted shame-based identities that extend beyond symptoms alone. Rather than experiencing shame as an emotion, many individuals come to experience shame as an identity—believing they are fundamentally flawed, unlovable, inadequate, “too much,” or inherently defective. These beliefs often persist long after abusive relationships have ended and may influence relationships, work functioning, emotional regulation, self-worth, and treatment progress.
In this presentation, Dr. Zairys Feliz, Ph.D., LCSW, participants will examine trauma-informed approaches for working with clients whose identities have been shaped by chronic emotional abuse and internalized shame. Attendees will explore how prolonged relational trauma and attachment experiences contribute to negative self-concepts, emotional avoidance, perfectionism, people-pleasing, hypervigilance, and difficulty accepting care or safety. The course will address the distinction between guilt and shame, the role of internalized abusive narratives, and common patterns that maintain shame-based identity structures over time. Participants will learn practical strategies for strengthening self-awareness, supporting corrective emotional experiences, addressing self-critical processes, and fostering identity development beyond trauma narratives. Through clinical examples and applied discussion, attendees will gain tools for helping clients move from shame-driven survival patterns toward greater self-compassion and authentic identity development.
Objectives:
Identify how long-term emotional abuse contributes to the development and maintenance of shame-based identity patterns.
Recognize common cognitive, emotional, relational, and behavioral manifestations of chronic shame in adult clients.
Apply trauma-informed interventions that support identity reconstruction, self-compassion, and reduction of shame-based patterns.
Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This course provides licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with an overview of trauma-informed approaches for treating shame-related difficulties following long-term emotional abuse. Participants will learn assessment and intervention strategies relevant to outpatient clinical practice. This training does not provide certification in trauma-processing modalities or comprehensive instruction in specialized trauma treatment approaches. Participants are expected to apply course material within their professional scope of practice, ethical standards, and ongoing consultation when appropriate.
Financial and Commercial Disclosure
The presenter has no relevant financial relationships or conflicts of interest to disclose. Any references to therapeutic frameworks, trauma theories, interventions, or resources are included solely for educational purposes. Participants are not required to purchase any additional materials to complete this course.
Refund Policy – Live CE Trainings (Virtual & In-Person)
All registrations for live CE trainings are subject to this refund policy. By enrolling, participants agree to these terms. Cancellations made 7 days or more prior to the scheduled training date are eligible for a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee, or participants may elect to receive a full credit toward a future training. Cancellations made less than 7 days before the scheduled training are non-refundable; however, registrations may be transferred to another eligible training or another attendee with prior written approval. Participants who fail to attend a scheduled live training, do not complete attendance requirements, or fail to satisfy course participation requirements are not eligible for refunds or CEUs. If a training is canceled or rescheduled by the provider, registrants will be offered either a full refund or the opportunity to transfer to another training. Refunds will not be issued if participants are unable to earn CEUs due to incomplete attendance, failure to complete required evaluations, or licensing board eligibility restrictions.