28 Books like Shame

Understanding and Treating Chronic Shame

by Patricia A. DeYoung • 2015

Shame is not a failing; it is a relational wound in the right brain, healed through connection.

4.53

505

😔 Chronic Shame 💔 Relational Trauma 🧠 Affect Regulation 🪞 Therapist Self-Awareness ⚖️ Shame And Guilt

Understanding and Treating Chronic Shame Summary

Understanding and Treating Chronic Shame 97%

Shame is not a failing; it is a relational wound in the right brain, healed through connection.

by Patricia A. DeYoung 2015

4.53

505 ratings

😔 Chronic Shame 💔 Relational Trauma 🧠 Affect Regulation 🪞 Therapist Self-Awareness ⚖️ Shame And Guilt

What Is Psychotherapy?

by The School of Life • 2019

Your flaws are not character defects but childhood survival strategies. How therapy rewrites them.

4.00

342

🧘 Emotional Healing 🧒 Childhood Trauma 🔗 Attachment Theory 👶 Inner Child Work 🛡️ Defense Mechanisms

What Is Psychotherapy? 97%

Your flaws are not character defects but childhood survival strategies. How therapy rewrites them.

by The School of Life 2019

4.00

342 ratings

🧘 Emotional Healing 🧒 Childhood Trauma 🔗 Attachment Theory 👶 Inner Child Work 🛡️ Defense Mechanisms

Letting Go Of Shame

by Ronald T. Potter-Efron • 1989

The voice that says you are defective can be quieted. A clinical guide to reclaiming self-respect.

4.01

176

🩹 Emotional Healing 😔 Shame And Guilt 💗 Self-Compassion 🗣️ Negative Self-Talk 🤝 Healing Relationships

Letting Go Of Shame 96%

The voice that says you are defective can be quieted. A clinical guide to reclaiming self-respect.

by Ronald T. Potter-Efron 1989

4.01

176 ratings

🩹 Emotional Healing 😔 Shame And Guilt 💗 Self-Compassion 🗣️ Negative Self-Talk 🤝 Healing Relationships

Healing Your Emotional Self

by Beverly Engel • 2006

Childhood wounds fuel your inner critic. A program to break the cycle and rebuild self-compassion.

4.00

1k+

🧒 Childhood Trauma 👶 Inner Child Work 🛡️ Shame Resilience 🗣️ Inner Critic Work 💗 Self-Compassion

Healing Your Emotional Self 96%

Childhood wounds fuel your inner critic. A program to break the cycle and rebuild self-compassion.

by Beverly Engel 2006

4.00

1k+ ratings

🧒 Childhood Trauma 👶 Inner Child Work 🛡️ Shame Resilience 🗣️ Inner Critic Work 💗 Self-Compassion

Healing the Shame That Binds You

by John Bradshaw • 1988

When shame becomes identity, it poisons everything. The exit begins with telling someone.

4.09

12k+

🧒 Childhood Trauma 🗣️ Inner Critic 🔄 Addiction Recovery 💗 Self-Compassion 🔗 Codependency

Healing the Shame That Binds You Summary

Healing the Shame That Binds You 96%

When shame becomes identity, it poisons everything. The exit begins with telling someone.

by John Bradshaw 1988

4.09

12k+ ratings

🧒 Childhood Trauma 🗣️ Inner Critic 🔄 Addiction Recovery 💗 Self-Compassion 🔗 Codependency

Embracing Shame

by Bret Lyon • 2023

The feeling you've spent a lifetime avoiding might be your most underrated teacher.

4.10

141

🩹 Shame Healing 👶 Inner Child Work 🧠 Polyvagal Theory 🫂 Body Shame 🔗 Attachment Theory

Embracing Shame 96%

The feeling you've spent a lifetime avoiding might be your most underrated teacher.

by Bret Lyon 2023

4.10

141 ratings

🩹 Shame Healing 👶 Inner Child Work 🧠 Polyvagal Theory 🫂 Body Shame 🔗 Attachment Theory

Shame & Guilt

by Jane Middelton-Moz MS • 1990

Shame attacks who you are; guilt what you did. The simple distinction that changes everything.

4.06

176

🎭 Shame And Guilt 🏡 Family Of Origin Work 🧸 Inner Child Healing 🔄 Relationship Patterns 🔺 Emotional Triangles

Shame & Guilt 96%

Shame attacks who you are; guilt what you did. The simple distinction that changes everything.

by Jane Middelton-Moz MS 1990

4.06

176 ratings

🎭 Shame And Guilt 🏡 Family Of Origin Work 🧸 Inner Child Healing 🔄 Relationship Patterns 🔺 Emotional Triangles

Why Do I Do That?

by Joseph Burgo • 2012

Your defenses protect you from pain but keep you trapped. Learn to spot and loosen them.

4.15

1k+

🛡️ Defense Mechanisms 🧠 Psychodynamic Self-Help 💔 Shame And Self-Worth 🌱 Emotional Maturity 🚫 Emotional Avoidance

Why Do I Do That? 96%

Your defenses protect you from pain but keep you trapped. Learn to spot and loosen them.

by Joseph Burgo 2012

4.15

1k+ ratings

🛡️ Defense Mechanisms 🧠 Psychodynamic Self-Help 💔 Shame And Self-Worth 🌱 Emotional Maturity 🚫 Emotional Avoidance

Rage

by Ronald T. Potter-Efron • 2007

Rage isn't one emotion but six, and each type has its own way out. Find yours.

3.93

281

😤 Anger Management 🌪️ Emotional Dysregulation 🩹 Trauma Recovery 😞 Shame And Guilt 🔗 Attachment Theory

Rage 96%

Rage isn't one emotion but six, and each type has its own way out. Find yours.

by Ronald T. Potter-Efron 2007

3.93

281 ratings

😤 Anger Management 🌪️ Emotional Dysregulation 🩹 Trauma Recovery 😞 Shame And Guilt 🔗 Attachment Theory

Your Pocket Therapist

by Annie Zimmerman • 2024

The issues you repeat are not flaws but distress signals. Healing begins when you learn to listen.

4.37

2k+

🧠 Psychodynamics 👶 Inner Child Work 🗣️ Repressed Emotions 🧘 Somatics 💖 Self-Compassion

Your Pocket Therapist 96%

The issues you repeat are not flaws but distress signals. Healing begins when you learn to listen.

by Annie Zimmerman 2024

4.37

2k+ ratings

🧠 Psychodynamics 👶 Inner Child Work 🗣️ Repressed Emotions 🧘 Somatics 💖 Self-Compassion

It’s Not Always Depression

by Hilary Jacobs Hendel • 2018

Move through anxiety and defenses to feel core emotions and reach your calm, authentic self.

4.22

3k+

🧘 Emotional Wellness 🧠 Somatic Therapy 🛡️ Defense Mechanisms 👶 Inner Child Work 📖 Emotional Literacy

It’s Not Always Depression 96%

Move through anxiety and defenses to feel core emotions and reach your calm, authentic self.

by Hilary Jacobs Hendel 2018

4.22

3k+ ratings

🧘 Emotional Wellness 🧠 Somatic Therapy 🛡️ Defense Mechanisms 👶 Inner Child Work 📖 Emotional Literacy

Healing Developmental Trauma

by Laurence Heller • 2012

Childhood survival strategies harden into adult identity. A somatic method for softening them.

4.26

2k+

🧒 Childhood Trauma 🌱 Trauma Recovery 🧘 Somatic Therapy 🔗 Attachment Theory 🧠 Polyvagal Theory

Healing Developmental Trauma 96%

Childhood survival strategies harden into adult identity. A somatic method for softening them.

by Laurence Heller 2012

4.26

2k+ ratings

🧒 Childhood Trauma 🌱 Trauma Recovery 🧘 Somatic Therapy 🔗 Attachment Theory 🧠 Polyvagal Theory

Conquering Shame and Codependency

by Darlene Lancer • 2014

Shame drives codependency. Eight steps to disarm the inner critic and reclaim the self you lost.

4.22

422

🔗 Codependency Recovery 🩹 Shame Healing 🧠 Inner Critic Work 💬 Vulnerability Practice 🧸 Childhood Trauma

Conquering Shame and Codependency Summary

Conquering Shame and Codependency 96%

Shame drives codependency. Eight steps to disarm the inner critic and reclaim the self you lost.

by Darlene Lancer 2014

4.22

422 ratings

🔗 Codependency Recovery 🩹 Shame Healing 🧠 Inner Critic Work 💬 Vulnerability Practice 🧸 Childhood Trauma

The New Rules of Attachment

by Judy Ho • 2024

Your attachment style doesn't just shape your relationships; it caps your vision of what's possible.

4.26

204

🧠 Attachment Theory 👥 Adult Attachment 💔 Inner Child Healing 🔄 Relationship Patterns 💎 Self-Worth

The New Rules of Attachment 96%

Your attachment style doesn't just shape your relationships; it caps your vision of what's possible.

by Judy Ho 2024

4.26

204 ratings

🧠 Attachment Theory 👥 Adult Attachment 💔 Inner Child Healing 🔄 Relationship Patterns 💎 Self-Worth

The 5 Personality Patterns

by Steven Kessler • 2015

Five survival patterns from childhood live in your body: a map for outgrowing each one.

4.26

458

🧒 Developmental Psychology 🧘 Body Psychotherapy 🛡️ Defense Mechanisms 🗣️ Inner Critic Work 🏡 Reparenting

The 5 Personality Patterns 96%

Five survival patterns from childhood live in your body: a map for outgrowing each one.

by Steven Kessler 2015

4.26

458 ratings

🧒 Developmental Psychology 🧘 Body Psychotherapy 🛡️ Defense Mechanisms 🗣️ Inner Critic Work 🏡 Reparenting

How to Raise Your Self-Esteem

by Nathaniel Branden • 1987

Self-esteem hinges on a single practice: seeing yourself clearly and acting on what you see.

3.93

854

🧠 Cognitive Reframing 👶 Inner Child Work 💔 Guilt And Shame 🌱 Emotional Maturity 🎯 Responsibility Taking

How to Raise Your Self-Esteem 96%

Self-esteem hinges on a single practice: seeing yourself clearly and acting on what you see.

by Nathaniel Branden 1987

3.93

854 ratings

🧠 Cognitive Reframing 👶 Inner Child Work 💔 Guilt And Shame 🌱 Emotional Maturity 🎯 Responsibility Taking

Undervalued Self

by Elaine N. Aron • 2009

Your inner critic is a ranking machine. Rebalance it toward connection and self-doubt dissolves.

3.94

448

🪞 Self-Worth Psychology 🛡️ Defense Mechanisms 🧸 Healing Childhood Wounds 🗣️ Inner Critic Work ⚖️ Status Comparison

Undervalued Self 96%

Your inner critic is a ranking machine. Rebalance it toward connection and self-doubt dissolves.

by Elaine N. Aron 2009

3.94

448 ratings

🪞 Self-Worth Psychology 🛡️ Defense Mechanisms 🧸 Healing Childhood Wounds 🗣️ Inner Critic Work ⚖️ Status Comparison

Breaking Negative Thinking Patterns

by Gitta Jacob • 2012

Self-criticism, numbness, rage: not flaws but modes. Map yours and build the one that heals.

3.96

2k+

🩺 Therapeutic Self-Help 🌊 Emotional Regulation 🧸 Inner Child Work 💗 Self-Compassion Practices 🧠 Cognitive Behavioral

Breaking Negative Thinking Patterns Summary

Breaking Negative Thinking Patterns 96%

Self-criticism, numbness, rage: not flaws but modes. Map yours and build the one that heals.

by Gitta Jacob 2012

3.96

2k+ ratings

🩺 Therapeutic Self-Help 🌊 Emotional Regulation 🧸 Inner Child Work 💗 Self-Compassion Practices 🧠 Cognitive Behavioral

The Child in You

by Stefanie Stahl • 2015

Perfectionism and people-pleasing are wounds from childhood. A method for finding the real source.

4.09

15k+

🪆 Inner Child Healing 🖤 Shadow Work 🛡️ Defense Mechanisms 🧘 Emotional Regulation 🚧 Boundary Setting

The Child in You 96%

Perfectionism and people-pleasing are wounds from childhood. A method for finding the real source.

by Stefanie Stahl 2015

4.09

15k+ ratings

🪆 Inner Child Healing 🖤 Shadow Work 🛡️ Defense Mechanisms 🧘 Emotional Regulation 🚧 Boundary Setting

The Tao of Fully Feeling

by Pete Walker • 1995

Grieving fully, including your anger, is the only road to authentic forgiveness.

4.41

1k+

🧒 Childhood Trauma 🩹 Trauma Recovery 💧 Grief Work 🧸 Inner Child Work 🤐 Emotional Suppression

The Tao of Fully Feeling 95%

Grieving fully, including your anger, is the only road to authentic forgiveness.

by Pete Walker 1995

4.41

1k+ ratings

🧒 Childhood Trauma 🩹 Trauma Recovery 💧 Grief Work 🧸 Inner Child Work 🤐 Emotional Suppression

Master Your Attachment Style

by Scott A Young • 2021

Four ways people push love away. Learn yours, leverage its hidden strengths, and stop the pattern.

4.10

143

🧩 Attachment Theory ❤️ Relationship Psychology 🩹 Healing From Childhood Trauma 🪢 Codependency Recovery 🧠 Self-Limiting Beliefs

Master Your Attachment Style 95%

Four ways people push love away. Learn yours, leverage its hidden strengths, and stop the pattern.

by Scott A Young 2021

4.10

143 ratings

🧩 Attachment Theory ❤️ Relationship Psychology 🩹 Healing From Childhood Trauma 🪢 Codependency Recovery 🧠 Self-Limiting Beliefs

Why Do I Keep Doing This?

by Kati Morton • 2025

The habits keeping you stuck began as childhood armor. A therapist's guide to putting them down.

3.70

421

🌀 Self-Sabotage 🎯 Perfectionism Recovery 🙇 People Pleasing 🚧 Boundary Setting 🧒 Childhood Trauma

Why Do I Keep Doing This? 95%

The habits keeping you stuck began as childhood armor. A therapist's guide to putting them down.

by Kati Morton 2025

3.70

421 ratings

🌀 Self-Sabotage 🎯 Perfectionism Recovery 🙇 People Pleasing 🚧 Boundary Setting 🧒 Childhood Trauma

Freedom from Your Inner Critic

by Jay Earley • 2013

Your inner critic is really a protector. Unblend from its attacks and transform its role.

3.87

209

🧩 Internal Family Systems 👹 Inner Critic 💗 Self-Compassion 🧒 Childhood Healing 🗣️ Negative Self-Talk

Freedom from Your Inner Critic 95%

Your inner critic is really a protector. Unblend from its attacks and transform its role.

by Jay Earley 2013

3.87

209 ratings

🧩 Internal Family Systems 👹 Inner Critic 💗 Self-Compassion 🧒 Childhood Healing 🗣️ Negative Self-Talk

Emotional First Aid

by Guy Winch • 2013

Stop ignoring the bruises on your ego. A toolkit for treating emotional pain before it spreads.

3.87

5k+

🛡️ Emotional Resilience 💗 Self-Compassion 🧠 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 🔁 Rumination 🏝️ Loneliness

Emotional First Aid 95%

Stop ignoring the bruises on your ego. A toolkit for treating emotional pain before it spreads.

by Guy Winch 2013

3.87

5k+ ratings

🛡️ Emotional Resilience 💗 Self-Compassion 🧠 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 🔁 Rumination 🏝️ Loneliness

On Self-Hatred

by The School of Life • 2022

A quiet self-hatred, not low self-worth, drives perfectionism. The fix is not love but acceptance.

4.26

552

🧸 Childhood Trauma 🎯 Perfectionism 🎭 People Pleasing 🗣️ Inner Critic 💖 Self-Compassion

On Self-Hatred 95%

A quiet self-hatred, not low self-worth, drives perfectionism. The fix is not love but acceptance.

by The School of Life 2022

4.26

552 ratings

🧸 Childhood Trauma 🎯 Perfectionism 🎭 People Pleasing 🗣️ Inner Critic 💖 Self-Compassion

Daring Greatly

by Brené Brown • 2012

Culture calls vulnerability weakness. Research shows it is the skill that unlocks true belonging.

4.29

245k+

🧠 Shame Psychology 💔 Vulnerability 🪑 Scarcity Mindset 🔨 Perfectionism Recovery 🤝 Belonging

Daring Greatly 95%

Culture calls vulnerability weakness. Research shows it is the skill that unlocks true belonging.

by Brené Brown 2012

4.29

245k+ ratings

🧠 Shame Psychology 💔 Vulnerability 🪑 Scarcity Mindset 🔨 Perfectionism Recovery 🤝 Belonging

Guilt, Shame, and Anxiety

by Peter R. Breggin • 2014

Your guilt was built to protect a tribe, not to make you happy. The exit strategy.

3.57

252

🧬 Evolutionary Psychology 🧠 Human Nature 👶 Childhood Conditioning 🗣️ Inner Critic 🧳 Emotional Baggage

Guilt, Shame, and Anxiety 95%

Your guilt was built to protect a tribe, not to make you happy. The exit strategy.

by Peter R. Breggin 2014

3.57

252 ratings

🧬 Evolutionary Psychology 🧠 Human Nature 👶 Childhood Conditioning 🗣️ Inner Critic 🧳 Emotional Baggage

How to Heal Your Inner Child

by Simon Chapple • 2021

Your inner child holds the key to healing the emotional neglect you never knew you experienced.

3.76

177

🧸 Emotional Neglect 👶 Inner Child Work 🩹 Trauma Recovery 🎭 Emotional Literacy 💗 Self-Compassion

How to Heal Your Inner Child 95%

Your inner child holds the key to healing the emotional neglect you never knew you experienced.

by Simon Chapple 2021

3.76

177 ratings

🧸 Emotional Neglect 👶 Inner Child Work 🩹 Trauma Recovery 🎭 Emotional Literacy 💗 Self-Compassion

Compare Features	Free	Pro
📖 Read Summaries Read unlimited summaries. Free users get 3 per month
🎧 Listen to Summaries Listen to unlimited summaries in 40 languages	—
❤️ Unlimited Bookmarks Free users are limited to 4	—
📜 Unlimited History Free users are limited to 4	—
📥 Unlimited Downloads Free users are limited to 1	—

People love SoBrief

Join our global community of 600,000+ readers

★★★★★

This site is a total game-changer. I've been flying through book summaries like never before. Highly, highly recommend.

— Dave G

Worth my money and time, and really well made. I've never seen this quality of summaries on other websites. Very helpful!

— Em

Highly recommended!! Fantastic service. Perfect for those that want a little more than a teaser but not all the intricate details of a full audio book.

— Greg M