Learn why shame is so insidious and learn targeted steps for recognizing and treating shame

Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT

  • Course Description

    Shame is a debilitating emotion that is highly correlated with depression, addiction, eating disorders, self-harm, trauma, and suicide… many of the issues that prompt patients to seek mental health treatment. Because shame is rarely discussed or understood, it continues to impact a patient’s sense of self. Additionally, the challenge of speaking about shame may unwittingly lead to the patient’s experiencing more shame. A therapist’s ability to listen for shame, whether in individual, group, or milieu settings, and find ways to empathically explore it, is vital to reducing shame’s power and build resilience in clients. This interview course defines and explores the origins and experience of shame, explains how to recognize shame and ‘bring it into the room’, and also offers clarity about possible antidotes and interventions related to shame.

  • Learning Objectives

    Upon completing this course, participants will be able to: Explain the difference between shame, guilt, humiliation and embarrassment; Articulate how shame can contribute to self-destructive behaviors such as depression, suicide, eating disorders, and other mental health conditions; Provide an example about recognizing and responding to shame with empathy and compassion


    Target Audience and Instructional Level
    This course is intended for psychologists, therapists, social workers, clinical counselors, and addiction counselors. Instructional level: Intermediate

  • How To Take This Course

    In order to receive a certificate of completion reflecting the associated CE credit hour, you must:
    #1: Have an active paid Clearly Clinical membership
    #2: Listen to the corresponding course podcast
    #3: Achieve a passing grade on the post-presentation test (the test has up to ten questions and you must earn a score of at least 80%; you are able to re-test)
    #4: Complete the requested course evaluation.

    Course elements (including the course audio, post-test, and requested course evaluation) can be completed on a computer or mobile device via your Clearly Clinical account.

  • Course Format

    This high-quality and interesting course contains a one-hour, non-interactive audio podcast presentation which is available for free via all major public podcast providers. You can also listen to and download the file via our course player.

  • Commercial Support

    There is no known commercial support or conflict of interest for this CE program, presenter, sponsor, instructor, or content. The instructor references their own trainings as a potential resource for further learning.

  • Certificate Access Details

    Once you've completed the course, your certificate will automatically populate in the 'Certificate' section of your account; it will also be emailed to you. Access to completion certificate will expire 365 days after issuance. Course certificates will be on file for ten (10) years from date of course completion.

  • Accommodations

    If you have special needs or need an accommodation, please email us at info@clearlyclinical.com and we will do our best to assist you.

Interviewer and Interviewee

Cynthia Mulder, LCSW

Shame Expert

Cynthia Mulder, LCSW, is a psychotherapist/psychoanalyst, assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, faculty at the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies, and president-elect of the Houston Psychoanalytic Society. She earned a master’s degree from Smith College of Social Work in Northampton, MA. Early in her career she was a family therapist at Austen Riggs in Stockbridge, MA. In 2010 she joined the Menninger Clinic in Houston, TX and began facilitating Brené Brown’s curriculum on shame, vulnerability and authenticity - The Daring WayTM. As senior faculty for The Daring WayTM, Ms. Mulder trained clinicians across the country in Brené Brown’s work. Ms. Mulder was Director of Education and Training at Menninger from 2013 to 2021 where she oversaw training programs, coordinated Family Education Day and continuing education activities for the hospital and community. Ms. Mulder has presented nationally about shame resilience and is passionate about the transformative nature of this work. Please visit Cynthia at LinkedIn.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Irias, MS, LMFT

Interviewer & Clearly Clinical Founder

Elizabeth 'Beth' Irias (she/her) is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and the Founder and President of Clearly Clinical. She has specializations in Clinical Documentation, Best Practice, and Utilization Review, and works closely with clinical teams across the US as a trainer and national conference presenter; Beth was formerly an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University in the Graduate Psychology and Education department. Licensed in California and Oregon, she provides therapy via her private practice to young adult and adult clients, members of the LGBTQ population, and those with addictive disorders. She has two young children, a super cool spouse who helps out with Clearly Clinical's tech, and a rescue dog.

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  • CONVENIENT: All courses are 1-hour podcast episodes, available on all public podcast platforms

  • AFFORDABLE: We offer quality CE courses through a reasonably-priced membership

  • SOCIALLY-RESPONSIBLE: We donate to The Trevor Project for LGBTQIA+ youth suicide prevention

  • WOMEN-OWNED: We are founded and run by Elizabeth Irias, LMFT

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