Our personal lives are often shaped like a pyramid: denial at the top, secrets in the middle, and a foundation of shame at the bottom. Shame is what causes the “honeymoon” phase to fade and disconnection to begin. It reduces confidence, disrupts self‑acceptance, and fills our lives with fear, guilt, and hidden pain. It can also lead to addictions, unsatisfying relationships, emotional distress, anxiety and depression.
Denial, secrets, and shame affect the choices we make, how defensive we feel, and how much peace and happiness we experience.
We grow up learning to hide what we feel, think, or do. Eventually, we come to believe that who we really are is somehow “wrong” or “bad,” instead of valid and good. Denying our real thoughts and emotions becomes a familiar way to feel accepted. But when we learn to be honest with ourselves, we feel safe enough to try new behaviors, be less defensive, and more self-accepting
You will learn how to:
How denial, secrets, and shame shape emotional reactions and relationships
Why we learn to hide our true feelings—and how that impacts self‑acceptance
Practical ways to build emotional honesty, reduce defensiveness, and try new, healthier behaviors
Our personal lives are often shaped like a pyramid: denial at the top, secrets in the middle, and a foundation of shame at the bottom. Shame is what causes the “honeymoon” phase to fade and disconnection to begin. It reduces confidence, disrupts self‑acceptance, and fills our lives with fear, guilt, and hidden pain. It can also lead to addictions, unsatisfying relationships, emotional distress, anxiety and depression.
Denial, secrets, and shame affect the choices we make, how defensive we feel, and how much peace and happiness we experience.
We grow up learning to hide what we feel, think, or do. Eventually, we come to believe that who we really are is somehow “wrong” or “bad,” instead of valid and good. Denying our real thoughts and emotions becomes a familiar way to feel accepted. But when we learn to be honest with ourselves, we feel safe enough to try new behaviors, be less defensive, and more self-accepting
You will learn how to:
How denial, secrets, and shame shape emotional reactions and relationships
Why we learn to hide our true feelings—and how that impacts self‑acceptance
Practical ways to build emotional honesty, reduce defensiveness, and try new, healthier behaviors
Date: Saturday April 18. 2026 Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Sign In from 9:30 – 9:55 am. Workshop starts promptly at 10:00 am
Location: Lincoln Lodge 2024 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago - Street Parking
Cost: $55 pp includes 5 CEUs
Working Lunch: Bring brown bag lunch & beverage
Dress: Comfortably & in layers, space is cool Come Prepared: To engage and be engaged. This will make the workshop more fun & meaningful to you and everyone attending.
