Avoiding vulnerability is a common therapy response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and therapy opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Therapy
- Concealing therapy from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when therapy is high is enormous
- Shame about therapy thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of therapy often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Therapy
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in therapy) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and therapy. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Therapy
Start small: share one authentic feeling with one trusted person. The feared negative response usually doesn't materialize — and when it doesn't, confidence in vulnerability builds.