Transforming Self-Blame
Schedule
Thu Oct 02 2025 at 09:00 am to 04:30 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Best Western PLUS The Arden Park Hotel, 552 Ontario Street, Stratford, ON, Canada | Stratford, ON
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Workshop DescriptionSelf-blame is a painful and powerful emotional process that often goes unrecognized or unaddressed in clinical work, yet it can profoundly affect well-being, fuel therapy-interfering behaviours, and negatively impact the quality of relationships. Whether rooted in complex parenting/caregiving dynamics or in the grief of tragic loss, self-blame can fuel shame, isolation, and long-lasting emotional suffering.
This full-day clinical training is designed for helping professionals working with clients experiencing self-blame in the context of of a loved one's distress, difficulties, or death. While particular attention is paid to parents and caregivers, the tools interventions apply equally to those supporting siblings, partners, friends, or other significant relationships. The workshop will also address self-blame following the loss of a loved one due to suicide, or other tragic circumstances.
The first portion of the day explores how self-blame impacts caregiving - especially in the context of parenting or supporting a loved one with a medical or mental health issue. We also explore how self-blame impacts the caregiver’s own well-being, emotional health, and quality of life. Through research and clinical vignettes, participants will examine how self-blame often acts as an emotion regulation strategy and how it may contribute to enabling behaviors, relational conflict, and internal suffering. Cognitive and emotion-focused tools - including a structured chair-work intervention - will be taught to help transform self-blame into self-compassion and renewed clarity in the caregiving role.
As the day progresses, attention will shift to addressing self-blame following the tragic loss of a loved one, with the example of suicide. In such cases, reassurance often falls short and may even exacerbate shame or disconnection. Participants will learn to identify the emotional and cognitive drivers of this form of guilt and gain tools to help clients process their pain, reconnect with their loved one in memory, and move toward healing.
Participants will receive:
- Clinical theory to guide practice
- A structured chair-work script
- Guidelines for cognitive and emotion-focused interventions
- Application tips for individual, dyadic, and group settings
- A video demonstration and testimonial
- Opportunities for optional experiential practice
Learning Objectives:
- Identify markers of self-blame in parenting, caregiving and grief contexts
- Explain self-blame as an emotion regulation strategy and its clinical implications
- Apply cognitive, emotion-focused, and experiential interventions across diverse settings
- Help grieving clients reconnect with a lost loved one in a healthier and more compassionate way
This training is suitable for counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, and other mental health and helping professionals. No prior training is required. Participation can be active or passive, in line with participant comfort. Given the sensitive nature of the content, the workshop will not be recorded.
About the Presenter
Dr. Adele Lafrance is a clinical psychologist, research scientist, author and co-developer of emotion-focused treatment modalities, including Emotion-Focused Family Therapy. She has published extensively in the field of emotion and health, including the EFFT Clinician’s Manual published by the American Psychological Association. She has also written a popular parenting book titled: What to Say to Kids When Nothing Seems to Work.
A frequent keynote speaker at professional conferences, Adele is known for her engaging, energetic and authentic presentation style. She provides consultation and training for clinicians, school boards and mental health agencies worldwide.
Adele is perhaps best known for promoting family-focused care for children, adolescents and adults struggling with mental health issues.
For more information or to register: www.missionempowerment.ca
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Where is it happening?
Best Western PLUS The Arden Park Hotel, 552 Ontario Street, Stratford, ON, CanadaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
