five principles to break free from the cycle of shame and self harm

Slide by Sophia Deborah Erez © 2008 520.302.5859

Five Principles to break free

from the cycle of shame and

self harm.

Presented by: Sophia Deborah Erez, MS, LPC, MFT

Shared Hope International

November 30, 2011 Copyright © 2000 by Autumn Burris.


Five principles . . .

1. The behaviors we do that appear to sabotage our well-being are often our best attempt at creating safety in the present moment.



2. We do these things because, historically, they worked. Ironically, we know they worked because we are alive today and often struggle with how these behaviors are no longer helpful.



3. We cannot expect to stop utilizing the templates our nervous systems have learned to trust unless we have access to at least one other template that works just as well.



4.  The healing process includes: –  honoring what has outlived its usefulness –  learning to pause when feeling

threatened –  and accessing healthier, more effective

ways of sensing safety in the present moment.


Five principles . . . 5. The more moments we have of sensing safety in healthy ways, the more likely these "new" templates will became the default response in times of crisis and the more we learn to trust ourselves.


“You did then, what you knew how to do

and when you knew better . . . you did better!”

Maya Angelou

five principles to break free from the cycle of shame and self harm

Health & Medicine