Book Review – Shame and Anger in Psychotherapy, Greenberg (2024).
Shame and Anger in Psychotherapy
Leslie S. Greenberg (2024).
American Psychological Association.
If you think Leslie Greenberg’s latest volume Shame and Anger in Psychotherapy is just about shame and anger, then think again. Yes, working with
shame and anger is crucial to therapeutic change, warrants extensive examination and is of interest to any therapist. This book provides descriptions of the many ways that these two emotions ‘show up’ and numerous examples of how to effectively work with them, from regulation to transformation and resolution. This is likely to be of interest to EFT novices as well as seasoned practitioners.
‘Anger that is not expressed is as much a problem as excessive anger, and needs therapeutic attention.’ Shame and Anger in Psychotherapy’ by Dr Leslie S. Greenberg
But in a broader sense Greenberg uses shame and anger as a vehicle to once again look at emotion theory and emotion focused practice through the lens of these two emotions and their interplay. As such it provides a different perspective for developing an understanding of EFT practice and formulation, and enhances understanding of shame and anger processes.
In the introductory chapter of the book, Greenberg describes the four main relationships between shame and anger and offers easily accessible examples. The reader is immediately taken into the world of primary and secondary emotions and their interaction, and introduced to, in Les’ words, how ‘each can be the cause or the cure for the other’. In this way shame and anger are presented as a vehicle that inspires us to revisit the fundamental tenets of emotion theory and emotion focused therapy.
‘Shame overwhelms all aspects of self and disrupts the ability to regulate affect. Self-coherence is lost, as is access to a healthy core sense of self and the motivation to survive and thrive, leaving the person defeated and depleted.’ Shame and Anger in Psychotherapy’ by Dr Leslie S. Greenberg
Of course, as an Emotion Focused Therapist there is something special about reading the words and insights of its primary developer, Leslie Greenberg. What is striking from this volume is that it provides a window into Les’ endless curiosity about emotions. His continued study of the emotional process in therapy reminds us that this is no ordinary or finite endeavour and that we as readers need to be as open as he is to discovery and continued learning.
‘… anger can be a consequence of shame, a cause of shame, or even a cure for shame… With shame, anger is often the antidote.’ Shame and Anger in Psychotherapy’ by Dr Leslie S. Greenberg
