It wasn't your fault : freeing yourself from the shame of childhood abuse with the power of self-compassion / Beverly Engel.

Includes bibliographical references.

The shame/compassion connection. How and why child abuse creates shame -- Why shame is so debilitating -- How compassion can heal the shame of childhood abuse -- The compassion cure program. The obstacles to self-compassion -- Receiving compassion from others -- Allowing yourself to feel your pain -- Practicing the five aspects of self-compassion. Self-understanding -- Self-forgiveness -- Self-acceptance -- Self-kindness -- Self-encouragement.

The shame/compassion connection. How and why child abuse creates shame ; Why shame is so debilitating ; How compassion can heal the shame of childhood abuse -- The compassion cure program. The obstacles to self-compassion ; Receiving compassion from others ; Allowing yourself to feel your pain -- Practicing the five aspects of self-compassion.. Self-understanding ; Self-forgiveness ; Self-acceptance ; Self-kindness ; Self-encouragement.

"Shame is one of the most destructive of human emotions. And while anyone can suffer from lingering shame, those who were abused in childhood tend to feel it the most. In It Wasn't Your Fault, a therapist presents a compassion-based therapeutic approach to help survivors of physical and sexual abuse overcome the debilitating shame that often keeps them tied to the past. By offering step-by-step techniques for understanding the root cause of shame, as well as exercises in mindfulness and compassion for the self and others, this book will help readers begin to heal and move past painful experiences"--