ABSTRACT
Shame is expressed with multiple physiological processes all marked by a minimising of contact with the current field. A sense of shame can be so profound that it feels as though it belongs solely to the person, firmly locked behind their contact boundary, but as with any 'internal' experience shame is a field event. Shame is always marked by a rupture between the person and their field, this can occur at any point in life but a shame experience is not likely to be as deeply embedded if it stands upon the solid relational ground of a good-enough upbringing. One of the prime tasks for the therapist is to track the client and attune to possible shame triggers and ruptures in the therapeutic relationship. This is not an easy task as the therapist is likely to encounter the defences against contacting shame that camouflage the affect.
