Complex Trauma, Shame and Guilt: Understanding the Connection

Complex Trauma, Shame and Guilt: Understanding the Connection

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “Why do I still feel this way?” Maybe you feel guilty about something that happened years ago. Maybe you carry a sense of shame that is difficult to explain. Or perhaps you find yourself questioning your worth, your relationships or even the way you respond to everyday situations.

For some people, these feelings can be connected to difficult or traumatic experiences, particularly when those experiences happened repeatedly or during childhood.

Shame and guilt are powerful emotions, but they are not quite the same thing. Guilt often centres on something we believe we did wrong, while shame can feel more like believing there is something wrong with us as a person. Research has found associations between both shame and guilt and post-traumatic stress symptoms, although the relationship is complex and different for everyone (Shi et al., 2021).

If you have been trying to understand the connection between trauma, guilt and shame, you are certainly not alone.

At Mindkshetra, a Creative Wellness Studio in Wentworthville, we provide counselling and art therapy services for people across Sydney and the western suburbs. We understand that talking about difficult experiences is not always easy. Sometimes, having another way to express what you are experiencing can make the process feel more manageable.

If you would like to explore whether counselling or art therapy could be appropriate for you, you can learn more about Mindkshetra or contact our team.

What Is Complex Trauma?

Let’s start with the term itself.

Complex trauma generally refers to traumatic experiences that are repeated, prolonged or cumulative. These experiences may occur within relationships or circumstances where a person feels trapped, powerless or unable to escape. They can happen during childhood, adolescence or adulthood and may include repeated abuse, neglect, domestic or family violence, exploitation and other prolonged traumatic experiences (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019).

Complex trauma is not necessarily one particular event. For some people, it may be a series of experiences that occurred over months or years.

The effects can also extend beyond the immediate response to a traumatic event. A person may experience difficulties with emotional regulation, relationships, trust, self-image and their sense of safety (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019).

The World Health Organization recognises complex post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly referred to as C-PTSD, as distinct from PTSD. Alongside the core features of PTSD, C-PTSD involves difficulties with emotional regulation, a negative sense of self and difficulties in relationships.

That is where the connection between complex trauma and shame becomes particularly important.

How Are Complex Trauma and Shame Connected?

Shame can be difficult to put into words.

It may sound like:

“Something is wrong with me.”

“I’m not good enough.”

“I should have stopped it.”

“People would think differently of me if they knew.”

These thoughts are very different from simply feeling bad about something that happened.

Guilt tends to focus on an action or perceived responsibility. Shame tends to focus more broadly on the self. Someone experiencing guilt might think, “I did something wrong.” Someone experiencing shame might think, “I am a bad person.”

The distinction is not always straightforward, especially after trauma. Research has found significant associations between shame, guilt and post-traumatic stress symptoms (Shi et al., 2021).

For people who have experienced complex trauma, shame can become particularly persistent. Clinical guidelines from the Blue Knot Foundation identify shame as an important and potentially debilitating experience for many people living with complex trauma, including feelings of defectiveness and harsh self-criticism (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019).

This does not mean that every person who experiences trauma will experience shame. It simply means that for some people, shame becomes part of the way they make sense of what happened.

How Are Shame and Childhood Trauma Connected?

Childhood is a particularly important period of development. It is when we begin forming ideas about ourselves, other people and the world around us.

So, what happens when a child repeatedly experiences abuse, neglect, rejection, humiliation or other forms of adversity?

The answer is different for every child, but these experiences can influence emotional development and mental health later in life.

Recent research has found an association between childhood maltreatment and shame in adulthood. A 2025 meta-analysis found significant associations between shame and several forms of child maltreatment, including emotional abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect (Zhang et al., 2025).

This can make sense when we consider how children understand their experiences.

A child may not have the emotional development or perspective to recognise that an adult’s harmful behaviour is the adult’s responsibility. Instead, they may internalise the experience and wonder whether they caused it, deserved it or somehow were not good enough.

Those beliefs can sometimes follow a person into adulthood.

This does not mean that childhood trauma determines someone’s future. People respond to traumatic experiences in different ways, and recovery is possible.

What Childhood Trauma Causes Shame?

There is no single type of childhood trauma that automatically causes shame.

Research has found associations between shame and several forms of childhood maltreatment, including emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse and physical neglect (Zhang et al., 2025).

Emotional abuse may be particularly relevant because repeated criticism, humiliation, rejection or messages that a child is not good enough can affect the way they develop their sense of self.

But it is important not to make assumptions.

If someone experiences shame, that does not automatically mean they have experienced childhood trauma. Shame can develop for many different reasons, and a person’s individual history matters.

This is one reason why counselling should not be about trying to fit someone into a particular explanation. It should be about understanding their experience.

What Does Childhood Trauma Look Like in Adults?

This is a question people often ask, perhaps because they are trying to understand themselves or someone, they care about.

The truth is that childhood trauma does not have one particular appearance.

One person might experience anxiety or difficulty trusting people. Another might struggle with emotional regulation or relationships. Someone else may experience persistent self-criticism, avoidance, distressing memories, hypervigilance or a strong sense of shame.

Some people may also appear to be doing very well from the outside while privately experiencing significant emotional distress.

Complex trauma can affect the way a person experiences themselves, other people and their surroundings. It can influence relationships, emotional regulation and a person’s sense of safety (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019).

So, if you are wondering whether certain experiences “count” as trauma, it may be more helpful to speak with an appropriately qualified professional rather than trying to diagnose yourself from a list of symptoms.

What Does Complex Trauma Look Like?

Complex trauma can show up in many ways.

Someone may find it difficult to manage intense emotions. They may struggle with relationships or feel uncomfortable getting close to other people. They may have a persistent negative view of themselves or feel unsafe even when there is no immediate danger.

Complex trauma can involve difficulties with emotional regulation, negative self-concept and relationships, alongside other trauma-related symptoms (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019).

That combination can be exhausting.

Imagine wanting connection but finding relationships difficult. Wanting to trust people but expecting to be hurt. Wanting to feel confident but constantly questioning yourself.

These experiences can be particularly difficult when shame becomes part of the picture.

It is important, however, to remember that experiencing some of these difficulties does not automatically mean that someone has C-PTSD. Diagnosis requires appropriate clinical assessment.

What Does Shame Feel Like in C-PTSD?

Shame in C-PTSD can feel much deeper than simply regretting something you have done.

It may feel like believing that you are fundamentally flawed, damaged or unworthy.

You may want to hide. You may avoid relationships because you are worried about being judged. You may find compliments difficult to accept or constantly compare yourself with other people.

For some people, shame can become so familiar that they no longer question where it came from.

Negative self-concept is an important part of the way complex trauma can affect a person, and clinical guidelines highlight the role of shame and self-criticism in complex trauma (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019).

Research also supports a significant association between shame and post-traumatic stress symptoms. A meta-analysis examining shame, guilt and post-traumatic stress symptoms found that both emotions were positively associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms (Shi et al., 2021).

That does not mean shame proves that someone has PTSD or C-PTSD. It simply highlights why shame can be important to understand when working with trauma.

Is Guilt a Symptom of Trauma?

Guilt can occur following a traumatic experience, but guilt alone does not mean that someone has experienced trauma.

Think about someone who survived an event in which another person was injured. They might think:

“I should have done more.”

“I should have known.”

“I could have prevented it.”

“I should have reacted differently.”

These thoughts can create a powerful sense of responsibility, even when the person may not actually have had control over what happened.

Research has found a relationship between trauma-related guilt and post-traumatic stress symptoms (Shi et al., 2021).

Survivors may also experience guilt related to actions, inactions or perceived responsibility surrounding a traumatic event.

This is why it can be helpful to explore guilt rather than simply telling someone to “let it go”. Understanding where the guilt came from can be an important part of understanding the person’s experience.

Is Shame a Trauma Response?

It can be, but shame is not exclusively a trauma response.

Research has found an association between shame, guilt and post-traumatic stress symptoms following trauma exposure (Shi et al., 2021).

For some people, shame develops because of the meaning they attach to what happened.

A person may know intellectually that they were not responsible for an experience but still feel responsible emotionally.

That difference between what we know and what we feel can be incredibly frustrating.

Understanding trauma shame can sometimes involve asking a different question. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?”, we can begin asking, “What happened to me, and what did I learn to believe about myself because of it?”

That shift can be an important part of therapeutic work.

What Is the Relationship Between Shame and Trauma?

The relationship between shame and trauma is complicated.

Traumatic experiences can contribute to shame, while ongoing shame can influence how someone understands themselves, their relationships and their experiences.

Research has found a significant relationship between shame, guilt and post-traumatic stress symptoms (Shi et al., 2021).

However, research does not mean that every person’s experience will follow the same pattern.

There is no single trauma response and no single emotional reaction to trauma.

Two people can experience similar events and respond very differently.

That is why understanding the individual person’s story is so important.

What Organ Is Connected to Shame?

This question comes up surprisingly often.

The short answer is that there is no single organ responsible for shame.

Shame is a complex emotional and social experience involving different processes within the brain and body. It is not controlled by one particular organ.

Shame can also have physical sensations.

Your face might feel hot. Your stomach might drop. Your muscles might tense. You might suddenly want to disappear from a conversation or situation.

Those physical sensations are part of the body’s response to an emotionally significant experience. They do not mean that one particular organ is causing shame.

How Do You Get Rid of Guilt and Shame?

If you are carrying guilt or shame, you may be wondering, “How do I get rid of this?”

It may actually be more helpful to think about working through these emotions rather than trying to get rid of them as quickly as possible.

Start with curiosity.

What is the guilt about?

Do you genuinely believe you were responsible, or are you judging your past self using information you only have now?

And what about the shame?

Is it connected to something you did, or has it become a much broader belief that there is something wrong with you?

Therapy can provide a structured and supportive space to explore these questions. Research into trauma-related guilt and shame suggests that these emotions are clinically important when understanding post-traumatic stress symptoms (Shi et al., 2021).

For people experiencing complex trauma, clinical guidelines also emphasise safety, individualised assessment and the therapeutic relationship (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019).

You do not have to have everything figured out before you seek support.

If you are carrying guilt, shame or difficult experiences that you would like to understand better, you can contact Mindkshetra to discuss your options.

Can Art Therapy Help With Trauma, Shame and Guilt?

Sometimes words are not enough.

You may know that something is bothering you, but when someone asks, “How do you feel about it?”, you might have no idea what to say.

That is one reason creative approaches can be useful for some people.

Art therapy uses creative processes within a therapeutic relationship. The purpose is not to create a beautiful painting or prove that you are “good at art”. Instead, creative work can provide another way of exploring emotions, experiences, memories and meanings.

Research into art therapy for trauma is still developing, so it is important not to present art therapy as a guaranteed cure for trauma. Instead, it can be one possible therapeutic approach that may suit some people, particularly those who find creative expression easier or more natural than talking alone.

At Mindkshetra, we position ourselves as a Creative Wellness Studio in Wentworthville, bringing counselling and creative approaches together. If you are curious about art therapy and want to understand whether it may be appropriate for you, you can explore Mindkshetra or contact our team.

When Should You Consider Counselling for Trauma, Shame or Guilt?

You do not have to wait until you reach breaking point before asking for help.

You might consider talking to a counsellor if you regularly experience intense shame, persistent guilt, difficulty trusting people, relationship difficulties, strong emotional reactions, avoidance, distressing memories or a persistent negative view of yourself.

Of course, these experiences can have many different causes. Experiencing one or more of them does not automatically mean that you have experienced complex trauma or have C-PTSD.

A good therapeutic process begins with understanding your individual history and current needs.

Trauma-informed clinical guidelines emphasise the importance of safety, trust, collaboration and individualised care when supporting people with complex trauma (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019).

And perhaps most importantly, you should not feel that you have to tell your entire story on your first visit.

Therapy is a process. It can take time to build trust and find an approach that feels right for you.

If you are in Wentworthville, Sydney or the western suburbs and would like to talk about your options, you can contact Mindkshetra or learn more about ours counselling and art therapy services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are complex trauma and shame connected?

Complex trauma can affect emotional regulation, relationships, self-concept and a person’s sense of safety. For some people, shame develops as they try to make sense of traumatic experiences and may become connected to negative beliefs about themselves. Shame is also associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019; Shi et al., 2021).

How are shame and childhood trauma connected?

Research has found an association between childhood maltreatment and shame, particularly in relation to experiences such as emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse and physical neglect (Zhang et al., 2025). However, childhood trauma does not automatically result in shame, and shame can have many causes.

Is guilt a symptom of trauma?

Guilt can occur following trauma, particularly when someone believes they were responsible for something that happened or believes they should have acted differently. However, guilt by itself does not establish that someone has experienced trauma or has PTSD (Shi et al., 2021).

Is shame a trauma response?

Shame can be a trauma response and is associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms. However, shame is not unique to trauma and can occur in many other situations (Shi et al., 2021).

What are the effects of complex trauma?

Complex trauma can affect emotional regulation, relationships, self-concept and a person’s sense of safety. It can also be associated with longer-term mental health difficulties (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019).

What childhood trauma causes shame?

There is no single type of childhood trauma that causes shame. Research has found associations between shame and several forms of childhood maltreatment, including emotional abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect (Zhang et al., 2025).

What does childhood trauma look like in adults?

There is no single presentation. Adults may experience difficulties with emotional regulation, relationships, trust, self-worth or safety. Some may also experience avoidance, distressing memories, hypervigilance or other trauma-related symptoms (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019).

What does complex trauma look like?

Complex trauma can involve difficulties with emotional regulation, negative self-concept and relationships alongside other trauma-related symptoms. However, these experiences can have other explanations, so appropriate professional assessment is important (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019).

What does shame feel like in C-PTSD?

Shame in C-PTSD can involve a persistent negative view of oneself, including feelings of defectiveness, worthlessness or being fundamentally flawed. Negative self-concept is an important aspect of complex trauma and can be closely connected with shame (Blue Knot Foundation, 2019).

What is the relationship between shame and trauma?

Shame and trauma are closely associated for some people. Research has found an association between shame, guilt and post-traumatic stress symptoms, although the experience differs from person to person (Shi et al., 2021).

What organ is connected to shame?

There is no single organ responsible for shame. Shame is a complex emotional experience involving different processes within the brain and body rather than one particular organ.

What trauma causes shame?

There is no single type of trauma that causes shame. Research has identified associations between shame and different forms of childhood maltreatment, including emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect (Zhang et al., 2025).

Take the Next Step With Mindkshetra

If you have spent years carrying guilt, shame or difficult memories, it is understandable that you might want to make sense of them.

You may not know exactly what you need yet. That’s okay.

At Mindkshetra, our Creative Wellness Studio in Wentworthville offers counselling and art therapy services for people across Sydney and the western suburbs. We recognise that everyone’s history is different, and there is no single way to approach emotional wellbeing.

Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation.

If you would like to learn more about counselling, art therapy or the support available at Mindkshetra, contact our team. You can also explore our services and learn more about how we may be able to support you.

References

Blue Knot Foundation (2019) Practice Guidelines for Clinical Treatment of Complex Trauma. Sydney: Blue Knot Foundation. Available at: Blue Knot Foundation (Accessed: 16 August 2026).

Shi, C., Ren, Z., Zhao, C., Zhang, T. and Chan, S.H.W. (2021) ‘Shame, guilt, and posttraumatic stress symptoms: A three-level meta-analysis’, Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 82, 102443. Available at: Shi et al. (2021) (Accessed: 16 August 2026).

Zhang, H. et al. (2025) ‘The association between child maltreatment and shame: A meta-analysis’. Available at: Zhang et al. (2025) (Accessed: 16 August 2026).