Introducing Jake and His Shame Armour

I’m so excited to share some news close to my heart! I’ve co-authored a new children’s book with my friend and colleague, Lisa Etherson, called Jake and His Shame Armour.

Why This Book Matters and Why I Wrote It

I remember working alongside Lisa in the same office, listening closely as she spoke about her ground-breaking Shame Containment Theory, born from years of therapy with adults and developed by her PhD research. She spoke of shame not merely as something painful—but as a misunderstood survival tool, wired into our attachment systems to help us stay connected.

I watched how Lisa’s work helped adults reclaim themselves from shame and I was keen to think about how we could share this knowledge with children.  So together, we set out to create a story that makes shame feel less scary and more something to name, lean into, and eventually unravel.

What You’ll Find Inside

In Jake and His Shame Armour, shame isn’t the enemy. It’s a heavy, invisible suit that Jake carries, not because he’s flawed, but because he’s had experiences that are shaming which he wants to protect himself from. The book invites children (and the adults with them) to notice the armour, understand its purpose, and gently, bit by bit learn how to take pieces of it off.

Who the Book Is For — and How It Can Be Used

Jake and His Shame Armour is for anyone who cares for a child: parents, therapists, teachers, social workers… anyone who understands that the small daily moments, reading, reflecting, pausing, can shift how a child understands themselves.

It’s a tool for gentle connection, a story that starts conversations, and a reminder that shame is not something to erase—but something to understand.

Jake and His Shame Armour is now available—ready to be shared, read, and reflected upon.

If you’d like ideas for how to use the book in therapy, school, or at home, I’d love to hear from you. Just get in touch.