Shame is a difficult emotion, and most of us do what we can to avoid it. But veteran psychologist Joseph Burgo shows us how we can use shame - which is an inevitable part of being human - as a tool for better understanding ourselves and our relationships with others.<br/><br/>Encounters with embarrassment, guilt, self-consciousness and remorse are an unavoidable part of everyday life, and they sometimes have lessons to teach us - about our goals and values, about the person we expect ourselves to be.<br/><br/>Richly illustrated with clinical stories from Burgo's 35 years in private practice, Shame suggests that this often excruciating emotion tells us a lot about our own self-awareness, and should not always be considered a toxic influence in our lives.<br/><br/>Joseph Burgo takes an intimate look at the full spectrum of shame - often masked by addiction, promiscuity, perfectionism, self-loathing, or narcissism - and offers a new, positive route forward on the road to authentic self-esteem.<br/><br/>'An essential read for anyone who suffers from shame and self-criticism. This book can help transform the way you see yourself and the world.' Shannon Kaiser, bestselling author of The Self-Love Experiment and Adventures For Your Soul