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Bear Psychology Podcast


Dr. Anna Baranowsky is a Canadian Clinical Psychologist, CEO of the Traumatology Institute, Founder and President of the Board at Trauma Practice. She is the author of two books on trauma, numerous courses to help train professionals in trauma mental health and the developer of the Trauma Recovery Program for Self-Guided trauma care. She works with trauma survivors and those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on post-traumatic growth and recovery.

Through her work she believes that when we share, dialogue and feel supported, it provides a powerful foundation for forward movement in our understanding and the care needed. In her own words "I have found that the most profound changes occur when a person truly feels heard and understood - I like to think of it as deeply BEARING WITNESS to life evolving. We can feel incredibly stuck when we live with our fears, stressors and troubles in isolation."

Dr.Baranowsky is the host of the Bear Psychology Show, focusing on bearing witness to Evolving Mood, Mind, Health. Her talks revolve around recovery, relationships, work and life adventures.

She is dedicated to assisting organizations and health professionals who help trauma survivors to ensure a trauma informed lens of care can grow in community health networks. With that vision in 1998, the Traumatology Institute Canada (TIC) was established. TIC has trained thousands of individuals nationally and internationally.

Dr. Baranowsky serves on the board of directors of the Academy of Traumatology and is a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress through the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and is recognized by The National Center for Crisis Management. She has published in the area of Post-Traumatic Stress, Compassion Fatigue, and therapeutic relationships (the Silencing Response).

Copyright:  Dr. Anna Baranowsky, 2020

Apr 25, 2019

In this episode Dr. Baranowsky discusses shame, why it is formed and what we can do to overcome it. Shame is a universal experience, where we believe that we are defective or incapable in some way. However, shame can provide the opportunity for growth and evolution in your life. To overcome shame, it's essential to be honest with yourself about who you are and to acknowledge your past. Just because your past may have shaped who you are today doesn't mean it needs to control your future.

Trauma Practice provides programming to trauma survivors and their families through group courses. If you want to start up your own group or simply learn more you can find their course materials on this website for free: traumapractice.org/group-program

Researchers and Resources:

- Joseph Burgo's book: "Shame: Free Yourself, Find Joy, and Build True Self-Esteem" in which four different types of shame are identified to help you dive deeper into the origins of your shame. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Shame-Free-Yourself-Build-Self-Esteem/dp/1250151309

- Shontelle Prokipcak works at MHASO and discusses how shame is a feeling that develops over a lifetime, where you think that you are fundamentally flawed in some way. You have to allow yourself to acknowledge your feelings, and lean in to the pain. You can learn more about her practice here: https://www.mhaso.ca/practice

- Carolynn Spring discusses how shame is universal but serves a purpose: it is a place to grow from. You can become self-aware if you reflect on it, and there are ways to alleviate the shame. For more information about her work, you can visit her website: https://www.carolynspring.com/

- Dr. Brene Brown is a five-time New York Times bestselling author, that encourages people to share their whole story and whole self. She believes that people need to understand that they have inherent worth that isn't measured by likes on Facebook, and that they need to counteract today's "scarcity culture" which continuously tells people that they aren't enough or that they don't have enough. For more information on her work, visit her website here: https://brenebrown.com/

-To listen to Russell Brand's full podcast-interview of Marianne Williamson, go here: https://www.russellbrand.com/podcast/054-can-spirituality-save-world-godless-politics-marianne-williamson/

 -Dr. Carol Dweck dedicated her life to conducting scientific research on the Growth Mindset to help people develop beyond setbacks and challenges. You want to avoid a fixed mindset by growing the brain's capacity to solve problems. To find out more about her research, visit her website: https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/

- Gerald Loren Fishkin studied neurobiology and the way the brain works when experiencing shame. Shame is a neurological event that happens quickly because it is the brain automatically adapting to something from a vulnerable part of your life. You can find book here: https://www.amazon.ca/Science-Shame-Its-Treatment/dp/1624910742

- Peter Levine provides quick examples of how to show self-kindness by being gentle with ourselves and turning down the volume of shame and self-blame. To learn more about his techniques, visit this website: https://www.traumahealing.org  

- John Bradshaw believes that shame is a motivator behind toxic behaviours. He suggests that you should embrace how badly you're hurting so that you can come out of hiding and recover. To find out about his work, visit his website: https://www.johnbradshaw.com/

This radio show was aired on Realityradio101.com on Thursday, April 25, 2019.