Shame is the experience of disintegration and it results in the painful feeling and belief that one is worthless or inadequate.  It is at the root of many mental health concerns and is pervasive in society today.  This talk will explore shame in the context of the Christian life.  It will give an account of the interpersonal neurobiological origins of shame, its effects on one’s life, and how the healing of shame’s painful wounds is possible.  It will interweave psychological, philosophical, and theological perspectives to give a thorough account of the recovery from shame.

James Bryan is currently a resident counselor in Virginia. He completed his M.A in mental health Counseling at Northwestern University. He holds two additional Masters degrees, one in Systematic Theology and another in Philosophy, and he is a Ph.D. Candidate in the School of Philosophy at The Catholic University of America. He has a passion for understanding the human person and takes an integrative approach to therapy combining his knowledge in psychology, philosophy, and theology to help his clients. He has taught philosophy courses at CUA and Mount St. Mary’s University.