Tagged With "Building Trusting Relationships"
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How Does Historic Trauma Impact Blacks Swimmers?
Good Monday morning everybody! It's warm weather time in the global North and the "wet season" here in the Caribbean. In times before 2020, this would have signalled a lot of beach and river bathing in Trinidad and loads of people headed to Tobago to enjoy the more attractive beaches there. Now, beach-going and sea-bathing are restricted as part of the current national State of Emergency. With those thoughts in mind, that may explain why this recent article from an African American mother...
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About Our Livestream Guests
Are you ready? It's almost time! Yes, we are 2 hours away from the start of our Father's Day Livestream titled, "ACEs & The Father Wound - A Cross Cultural Discussion" . Join us for the discussion via this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgeVx3-3EFo With us today will be Mr. Mark Nicoll, Dr. Kenneth Niles, Queen Mother Dianne Sears and Dr. Joanne Spence. Dr. Spence will do double-duty as moderator for this afternoon's discussion. Their bios are below so you will have some context...
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Building a Restorative Restart to School in the Fall
As we look towards the reopening of in-person instruction in the fall, planning and reimagining for a restorative restart to our school systems that emphasizes student and educator mental health is a priority. In addition, there is a windfall of one-time funding coming to districts from federal and local funds for just this purpose. Recently a wise educator said to me, ‘you know, if you want to get to the hearts and minds of school leaders to make changes for the fall you need to do so by...
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Psychologists Advocate for Improved Treatment for Developmental Trauma
Hi everybody. This article contains some good news! According to an article on the website of the American Psychological Association (APA), a growing body of research is leading many psychologists to call for the inclusion of complex childhood trauma in various classification systems. "To better serve children who faced poverty, homelessness, and severe neglect throughout his childhood, a growing group of psychologists and psychiatrists is studying complex trauma—which can refer to exposure...
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"Machete" Star Talks About His Childhood Experiences
Hello everyone. If you are into corny action-comedy movies, then you know the person whose picture adorns the cover image for this post. None other than Mexican-American actor, Danny Trejo, the star of the "Machete" series. Back in the day, I had read that Trejo was a former gang-banger, former drug addict and was formerly incarcerated. However, I never heard his story until recently. He has written a book detailing some of his highlighted experiences but shares how, after giving the...
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Racism as an Adverse Community Experience
By Christina Velez, The Relationship Foundation July 15, 2021 Have you ever questioned the ways that racism and trauma intersect? As a person of color, I know I have. Racism is a core determinant of health which often leads to social inequities. From watching PBS’s video on “Mental Fitness for Resilience-The Trauma of Racism” it was interesting to learn how racism and trauma, often converge in inseparable ways. Dr. Terri D. McFadden, a general pediatrician, and professor at Emory University...
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ACEs, Food Addiction, and What Most Weight Loss Programs Get Wrong According to Dr. Felitti and Dr. Alman
We know a high ACE score is connected to a higher likelihood of “substance-related disorders.” However, sometimes it’s overlooked that food can be that substance of choice, too—not just drugs or alcohol. Learn about food addiction and ACEs, and a weight loss solution that heals from the inside out endorsed by Dr. Felitti, the CO-Principal Investigator of the ACE Study.
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Juleus Ghunta aims to make the Caribbean nations PACEs-informed
If Jamaican poet, children’s book author, and appointee to the nation’s Task Force on Character Education, Juleus Ghunta had his way, all 44 million people living in the Caribbean—from Barbados to Guyana to Grenada—would become PACEs-informed in the near future. To start off, everyone—including children, parents, teachers, social workers, doctors, and policymakers—needs to read his new book, Rohan Bullkin and the Shadows: A Story about ACEs and Hope , due out this December, just in time for...
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NJ ACEs Collaborative ACEs Screening Position Release - 10/14/2021
Trenton – New Jersey’s ACEs Collaborative today announced that screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by care providers should be used as a means to provide assistance and referrals to children and families, not as a diagnostic or treatment tool. In a position paper released today, the Collaborative – a coalition of state-based foundations, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, and its Office of Resilience – advised that ACE screening results are an opportunity for...
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Join us October 27, 2021 for the inaugural event in our Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice System series, “The Relationship between PACEs and the Criminal Justice System”
Please join us for a new series entitled: Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice. This monthly series will feature conversations facilitated by Porter Jennings-McGarity, PACEs Connection Midwest and Tennessee community facilitator and criminal justice consultant, with special guests to discuss the need for trauma-informed criminal justice system reform. Using a PACEs-science lens, this series will examine the relationship between trauma and the criminal justice system, what needs changing, and...
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Trauma and Criminal Justice
Hi everyone! We trust you are remaining safe and healthy amidst everything that is happening around you. There is a new monthly series that will be starting today (Wednesday 10th November 2021) on the PACEs Connection platform. It is entitled: Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice. This monthly virtual Zoom series will feature conversations facilitated by Porter Jennings-McGarity, PACEs Connection’s criminal justice consultant, with special guests to discuss the need for trauma-informed criminal...
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A Trauma Informed Approach to Vaccine Fear
PLEASE SIGN ON TO THIS MEMO TO SUPPORT OUTREACH ALONG THESE LINES TO THE ADMINISTRATION! If the goal is to impact meaningful change, it might prove helpful to view vaccine fear through a trauma informed-lens. There is an intentional shift from the use of the word “hesitancy” and instead using the more specific and appropriate term “fear”. We are more likely to change that which we better define and understand. The following memo has been developed with input from an interdisciplinary team of...
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Gentle Men: The Healing Power of Vulnerability (mindful.org)
Growing up, I was taught that traditional male attributes are things like toughness, emotional reserve, strength, power, and staunch individualism. This image of a “traditional man” feeds into once-clear-cut roles like winner and provider . Edward M. Adams and Ed Frauenheim suggest that this version of masculinity is confined : both limited and limiting. In their 2020 book, Reinventing Masculinity , Adams and Frauenheim write, “Confined masculinity focuses more on a man’s sense of...
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The Launch of Heal Trauma Global: Culturally Attuned Trauma Training
Being Trauma-Informed means that we are Culturally Attuned. Heal Trauma Global is a sister company to Heal Historical Trauma and was cultivated to fill a wide gap in stress science & trauma training. The trauma-informed movement is beautiful! It's wonderful that as a society we are moving in a direction that honors an individual's past as part of the driving force behind current behaviors. Yet, time and time again, I have attended trainings that are labeled as Trauma-Informed only to...
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Radical Self-Care for Survivors of Suicide Loss (dailygood.org)
What does self-care mean, and what does it involve? Simply put, it implies— physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual care. The very idea of survivors of suicide loss practicing self-care can seem radical. The stigma, shame, secrecy and silence that a survivor faces invisibilizes, erases and marginalizes any of their valid concerns. Equally relevant, most survivors themselves feel they are not entitled to any form of support—either from themselves or from others. On a...
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Radical Self-Care for Survivors of Suicide Loss (dailygood.org)
What does self-care mean, and what does it involve? Simply put, it implies— physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual care. The very idea of survivors of suicide loss practicing self-care can seem radical. The stigma, shame, secrecy and silence that a survivor faces invisibilizes, erases and marginalizes any of their valid concerns. Equally relevant, most survivors themselves feel they are not entitled to any form of support—either from themselves or from others. On a...
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Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice with Special Guest, Becky Haas, Pioneer in Developing Trauma-Informed Judicial Initiatives
Please join us for our new series entitled: Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice. This monthly virtual Zoom series will feature conversations facilitated by Dr. Porter Jennings-McGarity, PhD/LCSW, PACEs Connection’s criminal justice consultant, with special guests to discuss the need for trauma-informed criminal justice system reform. Using a PACEs-science lens, this series will examine the relationship between trauma and the criminal justice system, what needs changing, and strategies being...
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FREE 2-Day Conference on The Body Keeps The Score
Happy weekend, everyone! We don't usually post on a weekend but we have some exciting news! Dr Bessel Van Der Kolk is offering a 2-day virtual conference on his landmark presentation, The Body Keeps the Score, on 13th and 14th December 2021. The fact that it is free and open to everyone makes it even more exciting. "I’m presenting this training to serve as both a guide and an invitation—an invitation to dedicate ourselves to facing the reality of trauma, to explore how best to treat it, and...
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As We End 2021...
Hi everyone, The year 2021 has been challenging for many. In the Caribbean, while many of our territories were able to minimise deaths from COVID 19 during 2020, the infection rate and death toll rose sharply in 2021, leaving thousands of families in mourning for the Christmas season. Death is seldom welcome, especially at holiday times. However,difficult roads can lead to beautiful destinations. As people have come to understand there is growth that can come from childhood trauma, we look...
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As We End 2021...
Hi everyone, The year 2021 has been challenging for many. In the Caribbean, while many of our territories were able to minimise deaths from COVID 19 during 2020, the infection rate and death toll rose sharply in 2021, leaving thousands of families in mourning for the Christmas season. Death is seldom welcome, especially at holiday times. However, as people have come to understand there is growth that can come from childhood trauma, we look forward to the growth that will spring forth in 2022...
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Black History Month 2K22- NEW Trainings!
In Honor of Black History Month 2k22 Please Enjoy the Following NEW Trainings: Facilitating a Full Expression of Resilience: BIPOC are resilient. In learning how trauma is formed and passed from one generation to the next in our communities, we will understand how to facilitate a full expression of resilience in vulnerable communities. This course takes a deep dive into the reality of flight or fight mode and how many people enduring oppression, discrimination and hate live with a constant...
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Free Trauma Research Foundation Zoom Sessions
Hi everyone, we hope you're all doing well and remaining healthy. As we begin the second month of 2022, we want to share with you a link to a series of online sessions on trauma that you can attend via Zoom. The sessions are being offered by the Trauma Research Foundation and aim to equip caregivers to understand what their children are experiencing, and to provide some support to their children. (Don't quote us but TRF appears to be connected with Bessel van der Kolk as the session is...
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All Inclusive Trauma Healing
Hi everyone, we hope you all had a relaxing weekend. The article linked to below on PACEs Connection highlights the need to be all inclusive in addressing trauma. It was written by @Cheryl Step Here is an excerpt: "Creating Safety, Building Trusting Relationships, Strengthening Capabilities: none of these healing processes can be done in isolation. All are important to incorporate into work with individual trauma treatment or with organizations or communities creating trauma informed...
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We Need Time to Rehabilitate from the Trauma of the Pandemic - Harvard Business Review article
Hi everyone, we trust that you are all enjoying optimal physical and emotional health. As various sectors reopen in countries across the Caribbean, including physical return to school and business activities, this article from David Rock in the Harvard Business Review sends a signal to decision makers to ensure the students and or employees are truly ready for the return. It identifies the possible consequences of a return without adequate physical and mental preparation of students and...
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FREE Event - Parenting from an Attachment or Trauma Perspective
Hi everyone, We trust you are enjoying the weekend. If you're in the USA and Canada, it's a long weekend so please be safe as you enjoy time with your family. Dr. Bessel van der Look announced the following on his Facebook Page for The Body Keeps the Score:- "New Free Monthly Event! Inspired Parenting- Parenting from an Attachment/Trauma Perspective with Dafna Lender. Register at the link below:...
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Building the Movement workshop series
If you haven't already been joining our Building the Movement workshop series, I wanted to personally invite you to join the next free, virtual workshop that aims to provide stakeholders, advocates and practitioners the tools to integrate trauma-informed, resilience-focused and healing-centered approaches and principles into their daily operations. Please join us on Friday, March 4, 2022, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. PT) as we focus on populations with high prevalence of...
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Talking to Children About The Invasion of Ukraine
Hello everyone, we trust that everyone is taking good care of your physical, spiritual, mental and social health. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has garnered international attention and children, as well as adults, are seeing images of what is happening in Eastern Europe. The same holds true for us who live in the Caribbean. Parents, caregivers and teachers may feel challenged to adequately and sensitively express to children what is happening. After all, they have been impacted by...
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Nightmares and ACEs: They No Longer Need Rule the Night
Recurring nightmares lead to much needless suffering for survivors of adverse childhood experiences—suffering that goes well beyond disturbed sleep. Five steps help take back the night.
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Stress is Contagious: How to Stop the Spread & Regain Your Health
Stop the spread...of STRESS! Stress is not only triggered by external or internal factors. You can also pick up stress from social interactions – spouse, other household members, colleagues, etc. – usually referred to as emotional contagion. Learn how to stop the spread of stress and regain your health.
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Brené Brown Speaks on Grief - Upworthy Article
Hi everyone, it's Monday and we trust you had a relaxing weekend. As we continue to equip you with information about grief and tragic loss, we would like to share this Upworthy.com article with you that recounts an interview by Brené Brown. Psychological researcher Brené Brown shared her thoughts on the grieving process on “TODAY with Hoda & Jenna” recently and they may be of comfort to anyone dealing with loss. “How long does true grief last in the heart?” a fan asked Brown. “As long as...
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Progress is Success!
We live in a world that is so fast paced. People are always looking for quick answers and multitasking to achieve more in a shorter time! The past couple of years has been extremely difficult. Many of us were forced to halt, not just pause but stop! That can be a very hard process for our minds, emotions, brain and our body. Having withdrawals from a fast paced life is not something we are taught to be prepared for. So here we are, everyone managing the best way we know how. We are resilient...
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PACEs Research Corner — April 2022
[Editor's note: Dr. Harise Stein at Stanford University edits a web site — abuseresearch.info — that focuses on the effects of abuse, and includes research articles on PACEs. Every month, she posts the summaries of the abstracts and links to research articles that address only ACEs, PCEs and PACEs. Thank you, Harise!! — Jane Stevens] Child Abuse Vermeulen S, Alink LRA, van Berkel SR. Child Maltreatment During School and Childcare Closure Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Child Maltreat. 2022 Feb...
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The Mirroring Between Individual and Collective Trauma Healing
Remembering past trauma begins the “re-membering” process of taking our fragmented pieces and putting them back together. This applies to individuals with trauma, as well as the collective traumas we experience in societies and our world. Remembering trauma is a growth process because the memories open the door to putting all the pieces together which leads to our healing. We know that our physiological reactions to trauma are held in our bodies and DNA. As individuals, before we can begin...
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Neuroplasticity, Imagery, and Adverse Childhood Experiences
The disturbing neural imprints from adverse childhood experiences need not be a life sentence. Imagery is an extremely helpful tool to modify the circuitry of the brain, utilizing the principle of neuroplasticity. Imagery strengthens and stabilizes the brain, while laying down alternative neural pathways.
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Today marks World Day of The Boy Child
Hi everyone, this month is full of observed days that are dedicated to the family or specific members of the family. Mother's Day in many countries was observed on May 8, Families Day on May 15 and World Day of The Boy Child on May 16! Observances for the boy child took place in the Americas, India and Africa over the past weekend and some will continue during this week. Themes included encouraging boys to improve their literacy, addressing vulnerability in boys and men, promoting self-worth...
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Invisible Epidemic: The Intersection of Traumatic Brain Injury, Strangulation and Domestic Violence
Hi everyone, We are sharing with you some information on an upcoming webinar series dealing with traumatic brain injuries sustained due to domestic violence. The series is the work of Justice Clearinghouse of the USA. Witnessing family violence is acknowledged as one of the ACEs. When a caregiver sustains a Traumatic Brain Injury, it may impair her (often a female caregiver) to the extent that she is unable to give proper care to the children of the family. This may lead to a domino effect...
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SIGNS YOU’RE A COMPASSION FATIGUED LEADER — AND 10 TIPS FOR RECOVERY
By Shakima L. Tozay, (first published @ Govloop.com) Are you emotionally and physically exhausted? Do you no longer feel a sense of personal accomplishment in your work? Have you become more disconnected from your co-worker? Over the last 2 years, the emotional impacts of the pandemic and the exodus of workers in what has been called the Great Reshuffle, has taken a major toll on many leaders. Last year, nearly 48 million U.S. workers left their jobs. Additionally, the “hidden...
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Building A Trauma-Informed Culture
A trauma-informed culture understands the potential impacts of past trauma and is equipped to navigate these workplace impacts.
This article explores a few more potential factors at play in working with those with past trauma. We will also introduce a few tools to help navigate the impacts of past trauma and build a trauma-informed culture in the workplace.
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Underground Shame from Adverse Childhood Experiences: Understanding Prepares the Heart to Heal
New understanding of the brain provides hope for breaking the painful grip of shame that’s imprinted in childhood and continues to affect adults. Rewiring shame calls for more than the traditional left brain approaches.
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Fight or Flight Hormone Response
With over half of all adults experiencing some trauma in their lifetime and almost 8% of the population experiencing PTSD, it is likely that leaders will encounter the effects of the fight or flight hormone response.
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48-Hour Historical Trauma Specialist Certification Program
Iya Affo & Heal Historical Trauma Presents New!! 48-HOUR HISTORICAL TRAUMA SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION in collaboration with THE INTERNATIONAL HISTORICAL TRAUMA ASSOCIATION We are the only entity offering a comprehensive, 48-hour Historical Trauma Specialist Certification Program. The Program is broken into 6 levels and is built on a foundation of BIPOC cultures and neurobiology. It is taught from a multicultural perspective, injecting traditions and ideology from various cultures from...
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Looking at ACEs through Trauma Informed Lens
Brains aren’t just formed and its structure for development in early childhood is determined by more than just our genes, they are also built based on our experiences. Early childhood experiences can affect the development and physical architecture of our brain, which provides the foundation for future learning, behavior and health. Think about building something that will last through time. We would usually focus on a strong foundation and connect the rest of the structure from that...
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Homelessness is a journey that starts in the family
Talking about homelessness in the context of ACEs lets us talk about primary prevention and successful intervention in a way we simply cannot right now.
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National Library of Medicine Article - The relationship between childhood maltreatment and mental health problems
Hi again, we hope you are enjoying your week. A research article by Yingying Su and colleagues on adverse childhood experiences published in the National Library of Medicine links childhood maltreatment with mental health challenges such as major depressive episode, generalized anxiety disorder and suicide ideation. From the abstract, the researchers found that both coping strategies and social support mediated the link between childhood maltreatment and the aforementioned mental health...
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AAP Article - Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adolescent Police Contact in the UK
Happy Friday everyone! We trust the week has been good to you all. As we approach the weekend, there is some research we would like to share with you. It is published by Dylan B. Jackson, PhD et al in the publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are prevalent in the population and yield several adverse consequences for child health and development as they accumulate. The objective of the current study is to examine the association between ACEs...
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10 Tips for Sexual Abuse Prevention
When we consider the high numbers of children that are sexually abused it is disappointing how little is out there to support parents in prevention efforts. Although Erin’s Law has brought Sexual Abuse Prevention to many children in the school setting, parents are still often at a loss as to how to talk to their children about this difficult topic. As a therapist who has specialized in treating child sexual abuse for twenty years, I have crossed paths with thousands of children and families...
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48-Hour Historical Trauma Specialist Certification Program- COHORT 1 & 2
NOT TOO LATE FOR COHORT 1!! Also registering for COHORT 2!! New!! 48-HOUR HISTORICAL TRAUMA SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION in collaboration with THE INTERNATIONAL HISTORICAL TRAUMA ASSOCIATION We are the only entity offering a comprehensive, 48-hour Historical Trauma Specialist Certification Program. The Program is broken into 6 levels and is built on a foundation of BIPOC cultures and neurobiology. It is taught from a multicultural perspective, injecting traditions and ideology from various...
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48-Hour Historical Trauma Specialist Certification Program- COHORT 2
New!! 48-HOUR HISTORICAL TRAUMA SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION in collaboration with THE INTERNATIONAL HISTORICAL TRAUMA ASSOCIATION We are the only entity offering a comprehensive, 48-hour Historical Trauma Specialist Certification Program. The Program is broken into 6 levels and is built on a foundation of BIPOC cultures and neurobiology. It is taught from a multicultural perspective, injecting traditions and ideology from various cultures from around the world. In this inclusive study we rely...
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Free 8 module adult education course "Childhood trauma, Consequences and Essential Responses"
Good Tuesday morning, everyone. We just learned of this free 8 module course on childhood trauma. It is by Dr. Jane Mulcahy and available for a few weeks, until 31 December 2022. "In this free eight module course, participants will gain an understanding of how children’s earliest experiences and the nature and quality of their attachment to their primary care-giver can impact their ability to feel safe in the world, to regulate their emotions, to trust other people, to learn, experience good...
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How to help a trauma survivor, in a healthy, positive way.
Hi everyone, our apologies for not posting more regularly in recent months. We appreciate the recent post from Community member, Ms Gayatree Dipchan and hope some of you in this Community will also share from your own work or experience. If you would like to do so, please reach out to me via email using the signature below. There are always interesting blog posts on the PACEs Connection platform which we like to repost for your benefit. One such post is on how to help a trauma survivor, in a...