From the Chabad Magazine:
"I want to know, what does the process of examining one's past deeds undertake for someone who abandoned a religious lifestyle because she was abused by the authority figures of that system?
Or someone who grew up in a world where there was no moral standard, and just now is starting out on a path guided by Torah and mitzvahs?
Or for someone struggling with trauma or depression? Someone who already feels rotten about herself?
In all these cases, beating your chest and crying out, “I have sinned! I have sinned! Forgive me!” seems a mockery at best, and could even be self-abusive.