Therapy for Guilt

Do you feel guilty a lot? And when I say a lot, is it as though this feeling has grown roots within you, unwavering in its presence? It’s good and healthy to feel guilt sometimes (it can be a sign that our own moral compass is intact and working properly), but if you’re feeling guilty a lot, it’s often an indication that something is wrong.

Although our feelings are there to give us important information, sometimes they can send false alarms, such as when we feel guilty despite doing nothing wrong. Participating in therapy for guilt can help you identify those false alarms and learn what to do about them.

Instances When Guilt Can Appear as a False Alarm

When you say no to someone or something

When you take time to care for yourself

When you have a different opinion

When you ask for help

When you make a mistake

When you have to work

When your child misbehaves

When you can’t do it all

When you enforce consequences

When you set boundaries or limits

If guilt is showing up for you in a number of different ways, I’m guessing you also feel exhausted. Because guilt is a heavy burden to carry, and when you’re unable to set that burden down, it can leave you feeling depleted.

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How Can Therapy for Guilt Help?

One of the most effective components of therapy for guilt is learning to recognize the pattern in which that feeling shows up for you. It may be that you’re not even aware of how frequently you feel guilty, and I can guide you in learning how to step back and see things from another perspective.

Therapy can also help you uncover negative thoughts that contribute to your feelings of guilt. Thoughts such as:

“I should _________”

“I can’t believe I didn’t _______”

“I better _______ or else ______ .”

In therapy we will also work to “recalibrate” your guilt radar so that it no longer sends those false alarms.

My Therapeutic Approach

My approach to therapy consists of a blend of various treatment approaches, and I modify each session to adapt to your individual needs. But some of the most common models and approaches I utilize include:

Attachment-based therapy

Relational therapy

The Havening Techniques ™

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy