Connections

A 12-Session Psychoeducational Shame Resilience Curriculum

by Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW

 
This empowering new approach to understanding the universal experience of shame begins a crucial new dialogue of hope. As we learn more about shame resilience and start to put the elements into practice, we can start to move through the by-products of shame – fear, blame and disconnection – and move toward the courage, compassion and connection we need to live our best, authentic lives.

The Connections curriculum offers facilitators empirically based strategies for understanding shame and building shame resilience. Each session includes a learning or didactic piece that can be delivered by the facilitator or by Dr. Brown (on DVD). The curriculum (a simple downloadable PDF file on a CD) includes suggested session formats, a complete collection of reproducible exercises, handouts and homework suggestions.

Each session is designed to engage clients on a cognitive, behavioral and interpersonal level. The structured 12-session format was developed to be flexible and easily adapted for use in a variety of settings and with clients who bring diverse experiences and needs to the process. The curriculum was designed for group work; however, the exercises, handouts and didactic pieces can be very effective tools when working with individuals, couples and families.

The Curriculum

• Curriculum and DVD overview
• Sessions “at a glance” (experiential exercise, processing, homework)
• Session Overviews (objectives, materials checklist, suggested formats)
• Participant worksheets (2-3 per session)
• Illustration handouts
• Participant evaluation forms
• Facilitator evaluation forms
• Facilitator's toolbox