WELCOME TO AN INNOVATIVE PATH OF EMOTIONAL HEALING AND RESILIENCE
Shame: The Game is a transformative card game designed to empower you to
confront and overcome the toxic shame in your life.
Harness the power of storytelling and metaphor as you engage with different aspects of shame through three types of cards: Shame, Worth, and Activation. Each category serves a unique purpose, guiding you on a healing journey filled with introspection, connection, and emotional resilience.
THE CARDS
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SHAME CARDS
Each Shame card represents a different aspect of shame, challenging you to identify, confront, and overcome the effects of shame on your life. From The Shame Octopus to The Caregiver's Cloak, each card invites you on a healing journey.
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WORTH CARDS
Each Worth card symbolizes a unique stage in your journey and mirrors the intrinsic value and potential within you. From The Auditor of Shadows to The Adaptive Warrior, each card is a powerful tool that helps you navigate the complexities of the game and your journey to self-worth and healing.
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ACTIVATION CARDS
The Activation cards represent real-life situations that can evoke shame (sometimes insensitively referred to as “triggers”). Each card, from The Critic's Gaze to The Rejection Wound, challenges you to confront and process these experiences as part of your healing journey.
HOW TO PLAY
The objective of Shame: The Game is to use your Worth cards' strengths to confront, process, and overcome shame.
Embrace the deck, take a deep breath, and focus on how you envision your shame fading away. Select the one Worth Card that resonates with your true essence and strength — this will be your tool to face and overcome your shame. Then, choose two Shame Cards that symbolize the burdens you bear and the secrets you hide. Add one Activation Card to represent the external trigger that ignites your shame. Arrange these cards according to the guided matrix, weaving them into a story that reflects your journey. Through journaling, declaring, or sharing, create a new narrative about conquering your shame. Begin to heal by bringing shame to heel, forging a renewed sense of self.
By playing Shame: The Game, you embark on a transformative path that encourages you to confront the impact of shame in your lives, embrace emotional resilience, and engage in a journey towards growth and self-discovery.
WHO CAN PLAY?
Regardless of the setting, the key to a successful Shame: The Game experience is creating an environment of trust, empathy, and support. This game can foster transformative healing and growth by providing players with the tools and insights needed to confront and overcome shame.
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In a quiet and comfortable space, shuffle both the combined Shame and Activation deck and the Worth deck. Draw one Worth card and three cards from the combined deck. Reflect on how the Worth card could help you process and overcome each of the Shame or Activation cards. Write down your thoughts in a journal, focusing on the insights and personal growth you gain from the exercise.
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In a comfortable and private setting, follow the standard gameplay rules, with each player drawing a Worth card and three cards from the combined Shame and Activation deck. Take turns sharing your stories or reflections and providing support, empathy, and encouragement to one another as you process the cards together.
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In a therapeutic setting, play the game with the guidance of a trained professional. The mental health practitioner or coach can provide valuable insights, offer suggestions on how to confront and process the Shame and Activation cards, and facilitate deeper discussions based on the Worth cards. This setting can offer a more structured and targeted approach to the healing process.
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In a group setting, sit in a circle, and follow the standard gameplay rules. Each player draws a Worth card and three cards from the combined Shame and Activation deck. Take turns sharing your stories or reflections, fostering a supportive and empathetic atmosphere within the group. Encourage players to share as much or as little as they feel comfortable, and remind them to maintain confidentiality and respect for each other's experiences.
YOUR OWN CUSTOM READING
Introducing “Shame: The Game - Your Reading” GPT.
This integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT enhances your self-discovery journey. Simply snap a picture of your chosen cards, upload it to the OpenAI ChatGPT mobile app, and receive an immediate, insightful reading. The app also generates custom journaling prompts and individual card explanations. Drawing from a curated collection of over 30 renowned thought leaders in psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and cognitive sciences, this diverse wealth of knowledge ensures a comprehensive reading, enriching your path towards understanding and addressing shame.
EXPANDED GUIDEBOOK
Accompanying your game is our beautifully produced, full-color 56-page guidebook that illuminates every step of your journey. This book is not just a manual; it's a companion. It describes each card in rich detail, helping you to understand the meaning behind the symbols and the significance of the metaphors. This guidebook takes you beyond the game, offering insights into the world of therapy and coaching and helping you to understand and navigate your personal journey.
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BACKED BY SCIENCE
In Shame: The Game, several evidence-based techniques, rooted in the overarching science of Neuroaesthetics, are employed, adapted, and referenced to facilitate players’ confrontation and overcoming of shame. Neuroaesthetics explores how art and visual stimuli affect the brain, fostering transformative emotional experiences. This aligns with the game's design, allowing players to tap into deeper layers of cognition and emotion.
These techniques are drawn from various therapeutic modalities, including:
Art Therapy: Shame: The Game utilizes aspects of art therapy, enabling expression and exploration of feelings through card visuals, promoting self-reflection and insight.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): The game aligns with CBT principles by encouraging recognition and restructuring of negative thought patterns.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): The mindful consideration of each card fosters presence and non-judgmental awareness.
Narrative Therapy: Players are prompted to separate their issues from their identities, reframing personal narratives.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): The game promotes acceptance and resilience, key concepts in DBT.
Photo-elicitation: By utilizing visually compelling metaphoric cards, Shame: The Game aligns with photo-elicitation techniques, as players respond to visual stimuli and connect personal experiences, emotions, and insights to each image.
By weaving together evidence-based therapeutic techniques with the principles of Neuroaesthetics and harnessing the power of metaphor, analogy, narrative, and visually stimulated elicitation, Shame: The Game provides players with a unique and engaging platform to confront and overcome shame in a transformative and healing manner.
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Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability:
SHAME THE GAME (the "Game") is designed for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. By using the Game, you acknowledge and agree that the Game is not intended to provide therapeutic treatment, clinical diagnosis, or medical advice. You should always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional regarding any concerns or questions you may have about your mental health, wellbeing, or any medical conditions.
While the Game is designed to promote self-exploration, empathy, and emotional growth, it does not guarantee any specific outcomes, results, or improvements in mental health. The creators, publishers, and distributors of the Game (collectively, the "Creators") make no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the effectiveness or suitability of the Game for any specific individual or circumstance. By using the Game, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Creators from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, arising out of or in any way connected with your use of the Game or any harm or injury that may result from your participation in or reliance on the Game.
You expressly acknowledge and agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Creators shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data, or other intangible losses, even if the Creators have been advised of the possibility of such damages, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Game.
Your use of the Game is at your sole risk, and you assume full responsibility for any costs or consequences associated with your use of the Game. It is your responsibility to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions or taking any actions related to your mental health or wellbeing.
