November 2020

What is it that moves us towards wanting to be healthy? And what does healthy even mean for trauma survivors? It’s almost a trick question. On the one hand, we have society telling us this idea of health is not to feel the emotional impact of the world around us. On the other hand, we tell ourselves that feeling emotions are destructive, in some shape or the other. We tell ourselves that we shouldn’t be angry, happy, sad, or anything in between due to other people’s responses, which in its...

Since in-person parenting education isn't happening right now consider putting a parenting tips bumper sticker on your car. It will be read thousands of times by thousands of people of all ages! for years to come. There are fifty-one messages to choose from...everything from setting good examples to preventing abuse...and they are free! Parenting tips bumper stickers are a unique and powerful way to share parenting wisdom with everyone and they don't transmit the corona virus. Visit ...

Holiday activity that's fun: Tongue Twisters!

I am a donor to ACEs Connection, because I truly believe we are creating a culture of connection and support together. It takes all of us to do this important work and appreciate the network for sharing best practices and encouraging each other during regular webinars. Thank you!!! #culture #leadership #network #mentalhealth #trauma #wellbeing #resilience #mentalhealthawareness #community

Life is not easy for most people. And the comparisons that we tend to make to justify the things that happen to us is entirely unfair. Look, no one deserves to experience abuse at all. But, we often invalidate our own experience when we point towards others and say they had it worse. It’s easy to do that. I have been there. It’s much easier to say it wasn’t that bad than to say it was a terrible experience that shaped a huge part of who I am, and that I have to struggle daily to create a...

I think this PDF will help. It allows adults and children to name their feelings so they can tame them. Right priced. Good for families and schools and anyone who is struggling to try to ascertain just what they are feeling now. And, we know, as the PDF shares, that for every negative feeling, we would be wise to identify three positive ones. Stay safe and be well. I hope this resource helps families through the holidays... this one and the next (and it can be done remotely and in person). ...

"The magnitude of the problem is so enormous and treatment approaches are so difficult and costly that you can spend the rest of your life becoming the next Mother Teresa or Albert Schweitzer and you'll be so busy helping people that you'll never notice you're just nibbling at the edges of the problem leaving the vast bulk unrecognized and untouched. So if anything meaningful is to come out of this it's going to be coming out of what we call primary prevention..." Dr. Vincent Felitti...

Each day from Thanksgiving until Christmas, hear the voices of male survivors of childhood, adolescent or adult sexual abuse share their stories of hurt, pain, joy and triumph as they heal from the aftermath of betrayal and trauma. You are not alone https://www.safeplaceformen.com/30days Thank you Thomas! Honored to help kick this series off – gifts of healing. Take care, Michael Skinner https://safeplaceformen.podbean.com/ www.safeplaceformen.com #safeplaceformen #malesexualabuserecovery

Schools re-opening seems impossible for next 3-4 months in most of big towns. Read this article and find out how you can help your child to learn from home!

There is power in standing up for yourself and sticking to your personal boundaries regarding how you participate in life as a trauma survivor. I hate the constant barrage of showing up because of obligation. Fuck that. I mean, when I think about the fact that people will shame you over not doing something that you don’t want to do, I get irate. I think about how many times in our lives that we are put in the position of showing up due to social constructs, and I want to smash my face into...

While serving as a Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi, I first learned about the concept of "adverse childhood experiences" through a newspaper article. But when I wanted to learn more, I wasn't sure where to turn. After lots of research and trial and error, I found these resources to be some of the best. (Yes, ACESConnection is on the list!) I'm convinced EVERY leader needs to be trauma informed. While there is significant focus on helping children overcome their adversity,...