May 13, 2026
Why shame isn’t an emotion—but an adaptive survival process. Dr. Laurence Heller unpacks how the NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) reframes shame, identity, and developmental trauma for more effective clinical work.
How do you define shame? Would you describe shame as an unproductive emotion or self-reproach? Or, would you dive headlong into examples, chronicling instances when you felt deserving of blame? Either answer is an invitation to probe deeper, to assess how this complex adaptive strategy has limited your ability to relate to yourself, your community, and the world.
On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth is honored to welcome back Dr. Laurence Heller, creator of the NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) and author of the new book Healing Shame and Guilt: The Developmental Roots of Chronic Shame and Guilt and How the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) Can Help You Heal and Reconnect.
Transforming Trauma is grateful to Dr. Heller for helping us get a deeper understanding of shame and guilt as universal human experiences, the ways they harm us, and how we can heal from them.
To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma
SPACE:
SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.
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The Complex Trauma Training Center:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com
View upcoming trainings:
https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/
Join us for this a transformative 2-day Intro to NARM® online workshop:
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The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.
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