Shaming and Shamed: a Talk with Martha Sweezy

Martha Sweezy, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, returns to IFS Talks to discuss shame and its pervasive impact, particularly within the framework of Internal Family Systems (IFS). Sweezy argues that shame is a hardwired emotion, not something to be eliminated, but rather understood and managed with self-compassion. She highlights the internal cycle triggered by shame, where vulnerable parts are ignored as manager and firefighter parts engage in cycles of inhibition and disinhibition. Sweezy also addresses inherited shame, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing loyalty to family burdens before personal unburdening can occur. Ultimately, the goal in therapy is to shift the narrative from "I am bad" to "something bad happened to me," fostering self-compassion and healing.