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When I first learned about Adverse Childhood Experiences during my intern year of Family Medicine residency training, it was like a switch had been turned on. My ACE score was high. 9. I poured through the literature, hoping for a way to “heal myself.” I was a healer, after all. And I hadn’t done much intentional work around healing from my incredibly traumatic childhood. As I progressed in my training, the evidence mounted that my background made me different, at the same time that pioneers...

Hi Folks, The latest edition of the Surviving Spirit Newsletter is posted at the website - http://newsletters.survivingspirit.com/index.php Here's the scoop on what's shared: Healing the Heart Through the Creative Arts, Education & Advocacy Hope, Healing & Help for Trauma, Abuse & Mental Health “ Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars”. Kahlil Gibran The Surviving Spirit Newsletter June 2019 Newsletter Contents : Some...

What to do when a six year old climbs out the window of your kindergarten classroom threatening to jump three stories to the concrete below? What do you say to a seven year old girl … with scarred arms that is obviously cutting herself? Kendrea (6) and Gabriel (7) successfully hung themselves a few years ago. They came from different states but suffered the same afflictions . Only one out a hundred very young children are successful in their suicide attempts as it is not easy to do.

Iowa ACEs 360 invited Rev. Kirsten Preachy to Des Moines with goal to learn about the development and future plans of the Chicagoland Network, and discuss opportunities in Central Iowa.

Starting in July, Iowa AEA online learning will have an online module based on the "Stress to Success" curriculum to meet the ACEs and toxic stress requirement.

Hey folks, short read, but well worth it, take care, Michael Skinner The Evolution of Trauma Treatment - https://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/blog/details/1130/the-evolution-of-trauma-treatment “ Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Martin Luther King, Jr. www.mskinnermusic.com - Hope, Healing, & Help for Trauma, Abuse & Mental Health - Music, Resources, & Advocacy Live performance of "Joy", "Brush Away Your Tears" & more –...

Thinking about this stack of books I have embarked on reading, I am in awe of the amount of hope flowing through the words printed upon their pages. Books on triumph over trauma, some with flare and adventure, others with baby steps and quiet fortitude; books filled with guidance; books that may trigger yet offer strategies; books from a helper's perspective and others from a survivor's. Books overflowing with hope, healing, help, and happy endings.

Shannon has over 25 years experience working with children in preschool and after school settings. Originally from Boston, Shannon holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology as well as an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Since moving to Florida in 2000, she has built a career working in the early intervention field with ages 0-5, as well as working with truant teens as a case counselor in child welfare and currently as the Behavior Specialist for the YMCA of the Suncoast.

By Janice Wood, PsychCentral, May 10, 2019. More than a quarter of people who regularly meditate have had a “particularly unpleasant” psychological experience, including feelings of fear and distorted emotions, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of College London also found those who had attended a meditation retreat, those who only practiced deconstructive types of meditation, such as Vipassana (insight) and Koan practice (used in Zen Buddhism), and those with higher...

By Anne Mosle, Ascend: The Aspen Institute, May 28, 2019. Earlier this month, the House Ways and Means Committee held the first hearing this Congress on paid family and medical leave. As witnesses shared their testimony and legislators asked questions and made statements, it became clear that there is bipartisan support for ensuring working people should not have to choose between their family and a paycheck. We will all need to give or receive care at some point in our lives, and we all...

By P. Berman, K. Hecht & A. Hosack I want Larry. I must keep Davy safe. Can I get both? Is it even possible? Claire was tired of wondering if she had to cut Larry out of her life. She was going to be her own advocate; she was going to learn more about men like Larry and decide for herself if there was a reasonable chance of safely letting him back into her life. Where could she start without making the Carsons freak out…. Claire put in a question on her computer browser asking, “what...

By Katie Orr, KQED, June 25, 2019. There’s an overwhelming demand for child care in California but not enough people who provide it. The industry is notorious for offering low pay and long hours. Several bills pending in the Legislature seek to address these problems, including one that would let in-home providers unionize. It's a measure that longtime in-home provider Pat Alexander is passionate about. Alexander runs Alexander Preschool and Child Care out of her home in Elk Grove...