Daniela Sieff PhD
@danielasieff.bsky.social
Author, scholar & speaker.
Exploring shame, emotional trauma, healing & wellness.
Perspectives from both Evolution & Depth Psychology.
www.danielasieff.com
Exploring shame, emotional trauma, healing & wellness.
Perspectives from both Evolution & Depth Psychology.
www.danielasieff.com
Between cave and sky, Macfarlane finds a thin border.
Between light and shadow, so do we.
We slip between the conscious and the hidden self - sometimes gently, sometimes without warning.
#DanielaSieff #DepthPsychology #InnerJourney #ShadowWork #TraumaHealing #SelfDiscovery
Between light and shadow, so do we.
We slip between the conscious and the hidden self - sometimes gently, sometimes without warning.
#DanielaSieff #DepthPsychology #InnerJourney #ShadowWork #TraumaHealing #SelfDiscovery
November 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Between cave and sky, Macfarlane finds a thin border.
Between light and shadow, so do we.
We slip between the conscious and the hidden self - sometimes gently, sometimes without warning.
#DanielaSieff #DepthPsychology #InnerJourney #ShadowWork #TraumaHealing #SelfDiscovery
Between light and shadow, so do we.
We slip between the conscious and the hidden self - sometimes gently, sometimes without warning.
#DanielaSieff #DepthPsychology #InnerJourney #ShadowWork #TraumaHealing #SelfDiscovery
Writing this book was so important for my own understanding, and I'm always deeply moved to know it contributes to others. Reviews like this mean so much.
#DanielaSieff #EmotionalHealing #InnerHealing #TraumaHealing #ShameAwareness #EmotionalTrauma #InnerGrowth #PersonalGrowth
#DanielaSieff #EmotionalHealing #InnerHealing #TraumaHealing #ShameAwareness #EmotionalTrauma #InnerGrowth #PersonalGrowth
October 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Writing this book was so important for my own understanding, and I'm always deeply moved to know it contributes to others. Reviews like this mean so much.
#DanielaSieff #EmotionalHealing #InnerHealing #TraumaHealing #ShameAwareness #EmotionalTrauma #InnerGrowth #PersonalGrowth
#DanielaSieff #EmotionalHealing #InnerHealing #TraumaHealing #ShameAwareness #EmotionalTrauma #InnerGrowth #PersonalGrowth
The best part of writing?
When it’s done - and it actually says what I meant to say.
That click when the structure works, the ideas land, and I can think, Yes… that’s it!
#DanielaSieff #AmWriting #AmEditing #WritersLife #BookInProgress #AuthorsOfInstagram #NonfictionWriter #ChronicShame
When it’s done - and it actually says what I meant to say.
That click when the structure works, the ideas land, and I can think, Yes… that’s it!
#DanielaSieff #AmWriting #AmEditing #WritersLife #BookInProgress #AuthorsOfInstagram #NonfictionWriter #ChronicShame
October 28, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The best part of writing?
When it’s done - and it actually says what I meant to say.
That click when the structure works, the ideas land, and I can think, Yes… that’s it!
#DanielaSieff #AmWriting #AmEditing #WritersLife #BookInProgress #AuthorsOfInstagram #NonfictionWriter #ChronicShame
When it’s done - and it actually says what I meant to say.
That click when the structure works, the ideas land, and I can think, Yes… that’s it!
#DanielaSieff #AmWriting #AmEditing #WritersLife #BookInProgress #AuthorsOfInstagram #NonfictionWriter #ChronicShame
We celebrate what is ‘up’: positivity, achievement, optimism. But in the psyche, as in the earth, the depths hold treasures too. Descent can bring understanding, transformation, and a different kind of light.
#DanielaSieff #DepthPsychology #InnerJourney #ShadowWork #TraumaHealing #SelfDiscovery
#DanielaSieff #DepthPsychology #InnerJourney #ShadowWork #TraumaHealing #SelfDiscovery
October 23, 2025 at 11:50 AM
We celebrate what is ‘up’: positivity, achievement, optimism. But in the psyche, as in the earth, the depths hold treasures too. Descent can bring understanding, transformation, and a different kind of light.
#DanielaSieff #DepthPsychology #InnerJourney #ShadowWork #TraumaHealing #SelfDiscovery
#DanielaSieff #DepthPsychology #InnerJourney #ShadowWork #TraumaHealing #SelfDiscovery
Today is World Trauma Day. Trauma shapes lives in unseen ways. The defences that once kept us safe can later hold us back, shutting out connection, growth & joy. Healing means not just dismantling walls, but building new resources to meet life as we are now.
#WorldTraumaDay #TraumaHealing
#WorldTraumaDay #TraumaHealing
October 17, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Today is World Trauma Day. Trauma shapes lives in unseen ways. The defences that once kept us safe can later hold us back, shutting out connection, growth & joy. Healing means not just dismantling walls, but building new resources to meet life as we are now.
#WorldTraumaDay #TraumaHealing
#WorldTraumaDay #TraumaHealing
For World Mental Health Day, I’m sharing an excerpt from my conversation with Allan Schore. As he says, security isn’t automatic. It is something we build through lived experience, self-reflection, and nourishing relationships.
#DanielaSieff #AllanSchore #WorldMentalHealthDay
#DanielaSieff #AllanSchore #WorldMentalHealthDay
October 10, 2025 at 6:08 AM
For World Mental Health Day, I’m sharing an excerpt from my conversation with Allan Schore. As he says, security isn’t automatic. It is something we build through lived experience, self-reflection, and nourishing relationships.
#DanielaSieff #AllanSchore #WorldMentalHealthDay
#DanielaSieff #AllanSchore #WorldMentalHealthDay
Imagination can be a lifeline, yet it can also become a prison. For many, retreating inward was once the only way to survive.
#DanielaSieff #Trauma #TraumaAwareness #TraumaHealing #EmotionalTrauma #MentalHealth
#DanielaSieff #Trauma #TraumaAwareness #TraumaHealing #EmotionalTrauma #MentalHealth
September 30, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Imagination can be a lifeline, yet it can also become a prison. For many, retreating inward was once the only way to survive.
#DanielaSieff #Trauma #TraumaAwareness #TraumaHealing #EmotionalTrauma #MentalHealth
#DanielaSieff #Trauma #TraumaAwareness #TraumaHealing #EmotionalTrauma #MentalHealth
One of the themes I’m exploring in my upcoming book on chronic shame is how it takes root, how it distorts our sense of self, and how we can begin to loosen its grip.
#DanielaSieff #ChronicShame #ShameAwareness #ShameHealing #HealingFromShame #TraumaHealing #HealingJourney #EmotionalHealing
#DanielaSieff #ChronicShame #ShameAwareness #ShameHealing #HealingFromShame #TraumaHealing #HealingJourney #EmotionalHealing
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 AM
One of the themes I’m exploring in my upcoming book on chronic shame is how it takes root, how it distorts our sense of self, and how we can begin to loosen its grip.
#DanielaSieff #ChronicShame #ShameAwareness #ShameHealing #HealingFromShame #TraumaHealing #HealingJourney #EmotionalHealing
#DanielaSieff #ChronicShame #ShameAwareness #ShameHealing #HealingFromShame #TraumaHealing #HealingJourney #EmotionalHealing
Healing from trauma isn’t quick or simple, but it is possible. Over time, we discover new ways to live so that trauma no longer defines us.
#DanielaSieff #ChronicShame #ShameHealing #TraumaHealing #ShameAwareness #HealingJourney #EmotionalHealing #InnerHealing #SelfWorth #SelfCompassion
#DanielaSieff #ChronicShame #ShameHealing #TraumaHealing #ShameAwareness #HealingJourney #EmotionalHealing #InnerHealing #SelfWorth #SelfCompassion
September 19, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Healing from trauma isn’t quick or simple, but it is possible. Over time, we discover new ways to live so that trauma no longer defines us.
#DanielaSieff #ChronicShame #ShameHealing #TraumaHealing #ShameAwareness #HealingJourney #EmotionalHealing #InnerHealing #SelfWorth #SelfCompassion
#DanielaSieff #ChronicShame #ShameHealing #TraumaHealing #ShameAwareness #HealingJourney #EmotionalHealing #InnerHealing #SelfWorth #SelfCompassion
When life is too much, the psyche makes a trade. It hides our most tender and vital parts, not because they are broken but because they are too precious to risk further injury.
#DanielaSieff #emotionaltrauma #healingjourney #traumarecovery #donaldkalsched #Jungianpsychology
#DanielaSieff #emotionaltrauma #healingjourney #traumarecovery #donaldkalsched #Jungianpsychology
September 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
When life is too much, the psyche makes a trade. It hides our most tender and vital parts, not because they are broken but because they are too precious to risk further injury.
#DanielaSieff #emotionaltrauma #healingjourney #traumarecovery #donaldkalsched #Jungianpsychology
#DanielaSieff #emotionaltrauma #healingjourney #traumarecovery #donaldkalsched #Jungianpsychology
If this speaks to something in you, I would love to hear how it lands. Your reflections are always welcome here.
And if you would like to go deeper, I invite you to join my mailing list.
In my newsletters, I share more about these inner dynamics, the roots of emotional pain,
And if you would like to go deeper, I invite you to join my mailing list.
In my newsletters, I share more about these inner dynamics, the roots of emotional pain,
July 31, 2025 at 7:00 AM
If this speaks to something in you, I would love to hear how it lands. Your reflections are always welcome here.
And if you would like to go deeper, I invite you to join my mailing list.
In my newsletters, I share more about these inner dynamics, the roots of emotional pain,
And if you would like to go deeper, I invite you to join my mailing list.
In my newsletters, I share more about these inner dynamics, the roots of emotional pain,
Some people describe emotionally reactive people as being ‘over-sensitive’.
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Other people say that there is no such thing as ‘over-sensitivity’ and that all sensitivity is a gift.
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Experience tells me that emotional sensitivity can be a gift, but that can also be problematic.
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Other people say that there is no such thing as ‘over-sensitivity’ and that all sensitivity is a gift.
🌱
Experience tells me that emotional sensitivity can be a gift, but that can also be problematic.
🌱
July 24, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Some people describe emotionally reactive people as being ‘over-sensitive’.
🌱
Other people say that there is no such thing as ‘over-sensitivity’ and that all sensitivity is a gift.
🌱
Experience tells me that emotional sensitivity can be a gift, but that can also be problematic.
🌱
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Other people say that there is no such thing as ‘over-sensitivity’ and that all sensitivity is a gift.
🌱
Experience tells me that emotional sensitivity can be a gift, but that can also be problematic.
🌱
Healing from trauma may feel like a series of breakthroughs.
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But mostly it is a matter of patience and perseverance.
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We do not think our way into wholeness with a single insight.
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But mostly it is a matter of patience and perseverance.
🌱
We do not think our way into wholeness with a single insight.
🌱
July 17, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Healing from trauma may feel like a series of breakthroughs.
🌱
But mostly it is a matter of patience and perseverance.
🌱
We do not think our way into wholeness with a single insight.
🌱
🌱
But mostly it is a matter of patience and perseverance.
🌱
We do not think our way into wholeness with a single insight.
🌱
We don’t see the world as it is.
We see it through lenses that are shaped by our environment and our history.
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Some lenses bring clarity, helping us meet life with presence and compassion.
Others, especially those formed by trauma, can warp what we see and hear.
🌱
We see it through lenses that are shaped by our environment and our history.
🌱
Some lenses bring clarity, helping us meet life with presence and compassion.
Others, especially those formed by trauma, can warp what we see and hear.
🌱
July 10, 2025 at 7:01 AM
We don’t see the world as it is.
We see it through lenses that are shaped by our environment and our history.
🌱
Some lenses bring clarity, helping us meet life with presence and compassion.
Others, especially those formed by trauma, can warp what we see and hear.
🌱
We see it through lenses that are shaped by our environment and our history.
🌱
Some lenses bring clarity, helping us meet life with presence and compassion.
Others, especially those formed by trauma, can warp what we see and hear.
🌱
What begins as a quest to heal trauma often unfolds into a lifelong journey of growth.
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At first, this can feel shocking; when we start to work with what we carry, we hope for a clear endpoint.
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At first, this can feel shocking; when we start to work with what we carry, we hope for a clear endpoint.
July 3, 2025 at 7:01 AM
What begins as a quest to heal trauma often unfolds into a lifelong journey of growth.
🌱
At first, this can feel shocking; when we start to work with what we carry, we hope for a clear endpoint.
🌱
At first, this can feel shocking; when we start to work with what we carry, we hope for a clear endpoint.
I never cease to be amazed at the beauty created through evolution.
#SoulFood
#NatureHealing
#NatureWonder
#SoulFood
#NatureHealing
#NatureWonder
June 26, 2025 at 7:01 AM
I never cease to be amazed at the beauty created through evolution.
#SoulFood
#NatureHealing
#NatureWonder
#SoulFood
#NatureHealing
#NatureWonder
Following people on here doesn’t mean you see all their posts.
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I know my own timelines are dominated by posts from just a few of the many people I follow.
🌱
So, if you want to get news of my work and offerings, then subscribe to my mailing list.
🌱
🌱
I know my own timelines are dominated by posts from just a few of the many people I follow.
🌱
So, if you want to get news of my work and offerings, then subscribe to my mailing list.
🌱
June 19, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Following people on here doesn’t mean you see all their posts.
🌱
I know my own timelines are dominated by posts from just a few of the many people I follow.
🌱
So, if you want to get news of my work and offerings, then subscribe to my mailing list.
🌱
🌱
I know my own timelines are dominated by posts from just a few of the many people I follow.
🌱
So, if you want to get news of my work and offerings, then subscribe to my mailing list.
🌱
Humans have evolved to learn through observing & copying those with more experience than we have.
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That is because our species lives in extremely wide range of physical, cultural, social & emotional environments, & to gather the knowledge needed to function in those
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That is because our species lives in extremely wide range of physical, cultural, social & emotional environments, & to gather the knowledge needed to function in those
June 12, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Humans have evolved to learn through observing & copying those with more experience than we have.
🌱
That is because our species lives in extremely wide range of physical, cultural, social & emotional environments, & to gather the knowledge needed to function in those
🌱
That is because our species lives in extremely wide range of physical, cultural, social & emotional environments, & to gather the knowledge needed to function in those
Dag Hammarskjöld (1905-1961) was a Swedish economist & diplomat who served as the second secretary-general of the UN from 1953-1961.
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Some of his reflections were collected in a book called ‘Marking’s published in 1964. This post is a quote from book.
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Some of his reflections were collected in a book called ‘Marking’s published in 1964. This post is a quote from book.
🍀 🍀
June 5, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Dag Hammarskjöld (1905-1961) was a Swedish economist & diplomat who served as the second secretary-general of the UN from 1953-1961.
.
Some of his reflections were collected in a book called ‘Marking’s published in 1964. This post is a quote from book.
🍀 🍀
.
Some of his reflections were collected in a book called ‘Marking’s published in 1964. This post is a quote from book.
🍀 🍀
Deep inside us are wordless stories about who we are and how we came to be this way.
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There are similar inner stories about the people and experiences that have impacted us.
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These stories live in our bodies and emotions, as well as in our minds and beliefs.
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.
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There are similar inner stories about the people and experiences that have impacted us.
🌱
These stories live in our bodies and emotions, as well as in our minds and beliefs.
🌱
.
May 29, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Deep inside us are wordless stories about who we are and how we came to be this way.
🌱
There are similar inner stories about the people and experiences that have impacted us.
🌱
These stories live in our bodies and emotions, as well as in our minds and beliefs.
🌱
.
🌱
There are similar inner stories about the people and experiences that have impacted us.
🌱
These stories live in our bodies and emotions, as well as in our minds and beliefs.
🌱
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If we live with the impact of trauma, we’ll have cut off the parts of ourselves which we believe made us vulnerable to wounding.
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At the same time, we’ll have cultivated qualities that appear to offer us protection from retraumatisation.
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At the same time, we’ll have cultivated qualities that appear to offer us protection from retraumatisation.
May 22, 2025 at 7:01 AM
If we live with the impact of trauma, we’ll have cut off the parts of ourselves which we believe made us vulnerable to wounding.
🌱
At the same time, we’ll have cultivated qualities that appear to offer us protection from retraumatisation.
🌱
At the same time, we’ll have cultivated qualities that appear to offer us protection from retraumatisation.
Another wonderful artist I discovered on social media.
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I really recommend following social media accounts which bring beauty, awe and wonder into your lives.
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This photograph is of a young Suri girl.
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I really recommend following social media accounts which bring beauty, awe and wonder into your lives.
🌱
This photograph is of a young Suri girl.
🌱
May 15, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Another wonderful artist I discovered on social media.
🌱
I really recommend following social media accounts which bring beauty, awe and wonder into your lives.
🌱
This photograph is of a young Suri girl.
🌱
🌱
I really recommend following social media accounts which bring beauty, awe and wonder into your lives.
🌱
This photograph is of a young Suri girl.
🌱
1st draft of my book on shame has gone to editors!
It's an exploration of what shame evolved to do, & why it holds power. Then I look at how it becomes chronic & toxic, & how we heal when that happens.
I draw on evolution, anthropology, psychology & lived experience—both mine & that of others.
It's an exploration of what shame evolved to do, & why it holds power. Then I look at how it becomes chronic & toxic, & how we heal when that happens.
I draw on evolution, anthropology, psychology & lived experience—both mine & that of others.
May 9, 2025 at 2:27 PM
1st draft of my book on shame has gone to editors!
It's an exploration of what shame evolved to do, & why it holds power. Then I look at how it becomes chronic & toxic, & how we heal when that happens.
I draw on evolution, anthropology, psychology & lived experience—both mine & that of others.
It's an exploration of what shame evolved to do, & why it holds power. Then I look at how it becomes chronic & toxic, & how we heal when that happens.
I draw on evolution, anthropology, psychology & lived experience—both mine & that of others.
Toxic shame leaves us frightened of showing who we are to both others and to ourselves. That’s because at some deep level we believe we are flawed in a way that makes us inadequate compared to other people.
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May 1, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Toxic shame leaves us frightened of showing who we are to both others and to ourselves. That’s because at some deep level we believe we are flawed in a way that makes us inadequate compared to other people.
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Marion Woodman:
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“Therapy is often seen as a way to solve a specific problem.
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That [view]...blinds us to the ever-unfolding process that is life.
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...the image that best describes this journey is that of a spiral.
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We keep turning around a central point...
🌱
🌱
“Therapy is often seen as a way to solve a specific problem.
🌱
That [view]...blinds us to the ever-unfolding process that is life.
🌱
...the image that best describes this journey is that of a spiral.
🌱
We keep turning around a central point...
🌱
April 24, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Marion Woodman:
🌱
“Therapy is often seen as a way to solve a specific problem.
🌱
That [view]...blinds us to the ever-unfolding process that is life.
🌱
...the image that best describes this journey is that of a spiral.
🌱
We keep turning around a central point...
🌱
🌱
“Therapy is often seen as a way to solve a specific problem.
🌱
That [view]...blinds us to the ever-unfolding process that is life.
🌱
...the image that best describes this journey is that of a spiral.
🌱
We keep turning around a central point...
🌱