This event is free for MCTS members

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Instructor(s)

Pria Alpern, PhD

Psychologist

Dr. Alpern is a licensed clinical psychologist and an EMDRIA-approved EMDR therapist, consultant, and trainer. She is the founder of the Manhattan Center for Trauma Studies, where she oversees continuing education trainings focused on EMDR and trauma-informed psychotherapy. She is also the founder and clinical director of Center Psychology Group in New York City, a psychotherapy practice specializing in trauma treatment for adult and perinatal populations. She is a graduate of the EMDR Clinical Affiliate Program at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies (NIP) Trauma Treatment Center in New York City, where she completed her EMDR training. She is also an advanced-level Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEI). Dr. Alpern has specialized training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders from Postpartum Support International. She earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Rosemary Furman Counseling Center at Barnard College, focusing on late adolescence, early adulthood, and trauma. Dr. Alpern holds a B.A. in Psychology and Art History from Georgetown University. Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Alpern offers trauma-related psychoeducation through her Instagram and TikTok platforms, raising awareness about EMDR and trauma-informed psychotherapy. She has been featured in Glamour UK, Rolling Stone, NPR, and The New York Times.

Topic: “Shame is my safe place:” EMDR approaches to chronic shame based depression

During this study group, we will explore Knipe’s chapter on chronic shame based depression and the ways shame can function as a defensive “safe place” for survivors of childhood abuse and neglect. The chapter outlines how children adopt an identity of “badness” to preserve an idealized parent and avoid the full impact of betrayal, abandonment, and terror, and then carry this shame identity into adult life as chronic depression, self hatred, and moral defectiveness. We will focus on Knipe’s Adaptive Information Processing approach to targeting shame itself as a protective ego state, including the use of EMDR based methods such as “what is good about this defense,” LOUA scaling for avoidance, modified ego state work where adult parts witness child parts, and affect resetting for shame, in order to move clients from “I am shame” toward integrated, compassionate self understanding.

Upon registration, participants will receive:

  • A detailed summary of the reading

  • A copy of: Knipe, J. (2009). “Shame is my safe place”: Adaptive information processing methods of resolving chronic shame based depression. In R. Shapiro (Ed.), EMDR solutions II: For depression, eating disorders, performance, and more (pp. 49–89). New York, NY: W. W. Norton.


Pricing options

We want this study group to be as accessible as possible while honoring the time and expertise that goes into facilitating it. The standard rate is $40, which helps cover preparation, facilitation, and community resources. A reduced rate of $25 is available for anyone who needs it - no explanation required. Please choose the rate that feels sustainable for you.