When Clients Resist Self-Compassion: Strategies for Working with Self-criticism, Shame, and Emotional Defensiveness

Most of us have had clients who can offer compassion to everyone else but struggle to extend even a little of it to themselves. 

Maybe they see self-criticism as necessary for motivation. Maybe self-compassion feels uncomfortable, undeserved, or even unsafe. Whatever the reason, these clients often remain stuck in cycles of shame, perfectionism, and emotional distress despite genuine efforts to help. This CEU will explore some of the most common reasons clients resist self-compassion and offer practical ways to work with that resistance in therapy. 

We'll look at the protective role self-criticism can play, how shame and emotional defensiveness show up in the therapy room, and strategies for helping clients move toward self-compassion without pushing them faster than they're ready to go. 

 You will leave with a deeper understanding of these clinical challenges and concrete tools they can begin using immediately.