Trauma and Culture The purpose of this article is to highlight key considerations when working with psychological trauma from a cultural perspective.  Culture is a broad concept and can be difficult to pin down.  Often culture is understood as ethnicity or race, however it can involve many other facets of identity (or social locations) including …

Inter-Generational Trauma by Fred Chou Sandy was a young adolescent boy that was currently in a foster care placement with two care groups; he was with his grandmother on the weekend in his own reserve and then during the week days he stayed with a foster family in his city.  He presented with behavioral issues; …

Fourteen-year old Malia is a male of Caucasian and Somalian descent who has lived with his foster family for the past 4 years. Prior to moving in with his foster family, Malia lived with his biological Muslim family until he was 10 years old. His foster mother Angela came to me asking for help on …

This article specifically address’ the different kinds of trauma that Indigenous children are exposed to and the reactions that may evolve (ie: ACEs, PTSD & affects in home and school).

ACEs are potentially traumatic events that can have a lasting impact on youth and adults.  This simplified calculator will help you determine what your ACE score is.

In my previous post, I talked about the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACEs) and how this is beginning to shake the foundation of how we view mental health problems. Take the ACEs test here The ACEs study points to a powerful connection between stressful childhood experiences and how it can create lifelong difficulties for people …

An introductory video on the impact of childhood trauma, ACES and the connection between life long and chronic health conditions.  Dr Jeffrey Brenner states, “I believe ACE scores should become a vital sign, as important as height and weight”.

A short 5 min. video overview of ACEs, what they are and how they impact on lifelong issues over the course of a lifetime.

Ongoing adversity in childhood leads to a chronic state of “fight, flight or freeze.” Researchers at Yale had recently shown that when inflammatory stress hormones flood a child’s body and brain, they alter the genes that oversee our stress reactivity, re-setting the stress response to “high” for life.

A scientific study on adoption as an effective intervention in the developmental domains of physical growth, attachment security, cognitive development, school achievement, self-esteem, and decreased behavioral problems.

Yoga for Trauma by Lisa Frede Jaime sat cross legged on her new yellow yoga mat, wondering why she had ever agreed to try this. The instructor at the front of the room was addressing the class, yet Jaime’s mind was racing and she could hardly focus on what was being said – something about …

I went to the mall today and I was surrounded by parents and their children who were doing their Back-to-school shopping. I could hear parents tell their children to pay attention and to choose which pair of shoes they liked. As I listened to the conversation, I had a memory of a time when I …

Navigating anxiety is an essential life skill that will serve them in the years to come. In the heat of the moment, try these simple phrases to help your children identify, accept, and work through their anxious moments.

This blog written by an educator gives insight and practical tools into how to help your anxious child.

Dr. Karyn Purvis explains in this audio bite the attachment cycle and how it affects a child behaviorally and neurochemically when he or she expresses a need that is met or, conversely, when that need is not met and the impact of this cycle on a child’s behavior, self-regulation, and mental health.

In this 8 minute video, Dr. Karyn Purvis explains the importance of attachment and the difficulties presented for children that come from maltreated backgrounds.  “All Children need to know that they’re precious and unique and special.  But, a child that comes from a hard place needs to know it more desperately”.

This study explores the link between a positive bedtime behavior and a small tangible reward in reducing disruptive bedtime behavior, night waking and problem behavior during waking hours.  Clinicians suggest an intervention plan that is tangible for caregivers to implement.

Healthy development in the early years provides the building blocks necessary for the developing child. This three-part video series gives us a much better understanding of how early experiences are built into our bodies and brains, for better or for worse.

Dr. B.D. Perry gives a brief introduction to core concepts regarding brain structure and function that provide the basis for developmentally sensitive and trauma-informed caregiving, education and therapy.

Chronic neglect can actually disrupt and weaken the developing brain architecture.  This 20 page article provides scientific analysis of the effects of neglect, implications as well as the impact of intervention for maltreated children. 

I went to the mall today and I was surrounded by parents and their children who were doing their Back-to-school shopping. I could hear parents tell their children to pay attention and to choose which pair of shoes they liked. As I listened to the conversation, I had a memory of a time when I …

This three-part video series depicts how advances in neuroscience give us a better understanding of how early experiences are built into our bodies and brains, the impact of toxic stress and the circuitry of the brain in the development of a child.

This is a short but impacting visual on how our brains are structured and the connection between emotional regulation (2.30 mins)

Relationship Repair by: Dr. Kirk Austin It seemed that every time Johnny returned from visiting his mother he would have an “off day”. He had spent the last year in a foster home because his mother was unable to care for him. Her mental health and addiction issues had provided the backdrop of their relationship …

Children who enter the foster care system typically arrive with at least a few personal belongings but many also arrive with another piece of baggage, one that they are not even aware of.  They have: an “invisible suitcase” filled with the beliefs they have about themselves, the people who care
for them, and the world in general.  This outlines in an easy readable format some of the beliefs to be aware of and practical ways to help.

This article examines the impact of childhood trauma, its effect and the role of healthy relational interactions in buffering the impact of trauma on children.  

Intergenerational Trauma (IGT) refers to the transmission of trauma from one generation to the next.  It is the notion that “traumatic experiences endured during childhood or adulthood, might profoundly influence the well-being of their offspring”.

This article supports the quote that, “Every child who winds up doing well has had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult.”

Yoga for Trauma by Lisa Frede Jaime sat cross legged on her new yellow yoga mat, wondering why she had ever agreed to try this. The instructor at the front of the room was addressing the class, yet Jaime’s mind was racing and she could hardly focus on what was being said – something about …

Trauma and PTSD are silent diseases. Victims often feel isolated and misunderstood and people suffering from PTSD may feel frozen in time, reliving their traumatic experience over and over.  Continue reading to see how you can support those suffering from these debilitating conditions.

This article provides an overview of PTSD in children.  While targeted for an interdisciplinary audience, portions may be helpful to parents and caregivers living with children suffering with PTSD.

In this video, Chris Ulmer takes the time to pay several compliments to each and every one of the eight students in his special education classroom. This is the power of affirmation and resiliency statements in action.

Factors that can influence the level of Care Team Functionality by David Brown I have been reflecting on my behaviour during some recent events, meetings and interactions with both colleagues and friends. I noticed with significant disappointment how often I would hesitate to say something due to my own uncertainty regarding whether, by saying it, …

This 18-page article, highlights understanding and preventing secondary traumatic stress when working with traumatized and maltreated children.

Dr. Austin, one of CTR’s clinicians, provides some practical strategies framed around the REST MODEL that will aid caregivers with helping children with bedtime routines.

BUILDING EMPATHY THROUGH READING By Kenzi Dirks, M.A., R.C.C.   “We really emphasize saying sorry,” a concerned foster mother said to me, “when Milo hurts someone we always make him apologize.” “How is that working?” I inquired, genuinely curious. “I don’t think he means it,” she responded. Children who have experienced complex trauma can have …

Relationship Repair by: Dr. Kirk Austin It seemed that every time Johnny returned from visiting his mother he would have an “off day”. He had spent the last year in a foster home because his mother was unable to care for him. Her mental health and addiction issues had provided the backdrop of their relationship …

A testimonial about how Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky are seeing positive results from a district-wide commitment to the CARE for Kids program (Social And Emotional Learning) made just two years ago (6:31 mins).

This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships.

Inter-Generational Trauma by Fred Chou Sandy was a young adolescent boy that was currently in a foster care placement with two care groups; he was with his grandmother on the weekend in his own reserve and then during the week days he stayed with a foster family in his city.  He presented with behavioral issues; …

This booklet aims to provide an insight into the many challenges that adopted children face, why these challenges might arise and various tips and ideas on how to manage key areas of difficulty for both parents and teachers.

This “Toolkit” on trauma, gives information for educators, parents and caregivers, including facts, suggestions, psychological and behavioral impact of trauma by grade level and self care.

This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships.

This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships.

Specialists offer helpful insights and practical advice in response to some critical questions that are commonly asked by adoptive and foster parents – video content.

This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships.

This article will aid you in learning what trauma-informed care looks like for an organization, its staff, families and youth.  Inclusive of a case study using NMT. 

NMT is a multidimensional assessment “lens” designed to guide clinical problem solving by facilitating the integration of a developmentally sensitive, trauma-informed clinical methodology with traumatized and maltreated children and youth.

What’s in a Name? Lionel was moody in recent weeks. His parents noticed that he appeared to be more withdrawn at home and spent more time in his room. When they inquired at the school, teachers mentioned that the other kids had been picking on Lionel because it was “different”. Not knowing how to deal …

Fourteen-year old Malia is a male of Caucasian and Somalian descent who has lived with his foster family for the past 4 years. Prior to moving in with his foster family, Malia lived with his biological Muslim family until he was 10 years old. His foster mother Angela came to me asking for help on …

This article analyzes how early childhood experiences shape a child.  This article highlights how traumatic experiences and neglect impact on the neurobiology of the developing brain and the integration of the 6 core strengths towards healing.

This article focuses on key insights that staff members working with traumatised children in various settings might find useful. He address’ three components to help ensure that staff provide the essential context these children need to heal and get back on the appropriate developmental path.

This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships.

This video is an introduction to a variety of adaptive responses that can be used under threat, with a focus on the hyperarousal and dissociative continuum.

This 10 minute video gives an introduction to the crucial role that patterns of stress response system activation play in pathology and healing.

Chronic neglect can actually disrupt and weaken the developing brain architecture.  This 20 page article provides scientific analysis of the effects of neglect, implications as well as the impact of intervention for maltreated children. 

This article focuses on child traumatic stress, especially that most commonly found among children involved with the child welfare system and looks at effects of child traumatic stress and the most effective treatments.

This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships.

What’s in a Name? Lionel was moody in recent weeks. His parents noticed that he appeared to be more withdrawn at home and spent more time in his room. When they inquired at the school, teachers mentioned that the other kids had been picking on Lionel because it was “different”. Not knowing how to deal …