Running Head: SHAME and SEXUALITY 1
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Running head: SHAME AND SEXUALITY 1 Shame and Sexuality A Literature Review Presented to The Faculty of the Adler Graduate School _____________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for The Degree of Master of Arts in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy ______________________ By Meagan D. Betts Chair: Rachelle Reinisch, DMFT Reader: Erin Rafferty-Bugher, MA _____________________ 2019 SHAME AND SEXUALITY 2 Shame and Sexuality Copyright © 2019 Meagan D. Betts All rights reserved SHAME AND SEXUALITY 3 Abstract Shame is a self-conscious emotion that can negatively affect mental health and lead to multiple diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-injury, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative identity disorder (DID), narcissism, aggression, addiction, and suicide. The impact of shame on sexuality affects individuals’ lives through the influence of family, society, culture, and religion. Every person has a unique story, and the purpose of this literature review is to determine the impact of that story on mental health. Additionally, the purpose of this project is to increase awareness of the impact of shame on sexuality, so mental health professionals are better equipped to understand their clients’ needs. Individual Psychology concepts such as inferiority feelings, early recollections, horizontal and vertical striving, holism, and social interest are discussed. In addition, therapeutic interventions of two points on a line and increasing social interest and belonging can increase the awareness of shame and sexuality through an Adlerian lens. From an art therapy perspective, the expressive therapies continuum (ETC) is explained as the foundation in understanding how art therapy is beneficial when working with clients. Possible therapeutic interventions are proposed in theoretical scenarios with families, groups, and individual sessions when working with people who experience shame associated with sexuality. Keywords: art therapy, Individual Psychology, shame, sexuality, LGBTQ+, expressive therapies continuum, holism, social interest, belonging SHAME AND SEXUALITY 4 Acknowledgments I cannot express enough gratitude to my chair, Dr. Rachelle Reinisch, with her extensive knowledge, patience, encouragement, and guidance that supported me every step of the way through the completion of this Master’s Project. A special thank you goes out to my reader, Erin Rafferty-Bugher, who supported and believed in me from the beginning to the end of my graduate school experience. I also want to acknowledge the faculty and staff of Adler Graduate School who properly educated and prepared me to complete this project. Finally, I want to thank my community of fellow students, family, and friends who supported me through the learning and growing experience of balancing graduate school and life. SHAME AND SEXUALITY 5 Table of Contents Shame .............................................................................................................................................. 8 Self-Conscious Emotions ............................................................................................................ 9 Shame Versus Guilt .................................................................................................................. 10 Shame and Mental Health ......................................................................................................... 11 Internalizing shame. .............................................................................................................. 12 Externalizing shame. ............................................................................................................. 14 The Impact of Shame on Sexuality ............................................................................................... 15 Family ....................................................................................................................................... 16 Culture and Society ................................................................................................................... 19 Religion ..................................................................................................................................... 22 Individual Psychology .................................................................................................................. 25 Concepts .................................................................................................................................... 25 Inferiority feelings. ............................................................................................................... 25 Early recollections. ............................................................................................................... 26 The horizontal and vertical plane. ......................................................................................... 27 Holism. .................................................................................................................................. 27 Gemeinschaftsgefühl............................................................................................................. 28 Shame, Sexuality, and Individual Psychology .......................................................................... 28 Therapeutic Interventions ......................................................................................................... 29 Two points on a line. ............................................................................................................. 29 Increasing social interest and belonging. .............................................................................. 30 Art Therapy ................................................................................................................................... 30 Expressive Therapies Continuum ............................................................................................. 31 Kinesthetic. ........................................................................................................................... 32 Sensory. ................................................................................................................................. 33 Perceptual. ............................................................................................................................. 33 Affective. .............................................................................................................................. 34 Cognitive. .............................................................................................................................. 34 Symbolic. .............................................................................................................................. 35 Therapeutic Considerations .......................................................................................................... 35 Family ....................................................................................................................................... 36 Group ........................................................................................................................................ 36 SHAME AND SEXUALITY 6 Discussion ..................................................................................................................................... 37 Implications for Practice ........................................................................................................... 37 Family. .................................................................................................................................. 37 Psychoeducation ............................................................................................................... 38 Pour painting ..................................................................................................................... 38 Board game creation ......................................................................................................... 39 Increase belonging and social interest .............................................................................. 40 Group. ................................................................................................................................... 40 Clay figures ....................................................................................................................... 41 Mask making ..................................................................................................................... 41 Closure .............................................................................................................................. 42 Increase belonging and social interest .............................................................................. 42 Individual. ............................................................................................................................. 43 Early recollections ............................................................................................................ 43 Two points on a line .......................................................................................................... 44 Past, present, future ........................................................................................................... 44 Increase belonging and social interest 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