Jane Dutton's research focuses on how organizational conditions strengthen capabilities of individuals and firms. She is a co-founder of the Center for Positive Organizations . Monica Worline's research is dedicated to the mission of enlivening work and workplaces is a founding member of CompassionLab, and a collaborating scientist at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University. JD: Some managers in some organizations don't see compassion as part of...

The following books have been recommended by ACEs Connection members.   Categories (see below) Brain and Neurology Child Abuse Child and Human Development Children’s Books Depression Domestic Violence Foster Care Grief Law Enforcement and...

This video is the “must see” for anyone currently using, or considering EMDR and EMDR-inspired modalities. EMDR and Beyond: The Trauma Power Therapies includes the world’s leading experts on traumatic stress discussing the current “power therapies”, trauma’s most effective psychotherapeutic interventions. Join Bessel van der Kolk, Peter Levine and others as they discuss EMDR, Somatic Experiencing and Brainspotting and other approaches to trauma treatment. In addition they will explore the...

Self-regulation may sound like a tall order—but it’s also the best choice, according to Erin Clabough, a neuroscientist, mother of four, and author of the book Second Nature: How Parents Can Use Neuroscience to Help Kids Develop Empathy, Creativity, and Self-Control . Self-regulation is a skill that we need whenever we want to make a good choice or work toward a goal, especially when strong feelings are involved—in ourselves or others. Unfortunately, the qualities that support...

Imagine the following scenario: Your eight-year-old son is repeatedly poked with a pencil by his classmate at school. How does he respond? He might endure the pokes without complaint by using willpower, or he might stay silent, succumbing to feelings of fear or powerlessness. He could lose his self-control and act out, attacking his classmate verbally or poking him back. Or does your son “self-regulate” by considering his options and resources, taking stock of his feelings and strengths,...

We are working with PESI, a leader in professional development, to offer a full day training in trauma informed education. This content follows the content of our book on Supporting and Educating Traumatized Students. We will be in Michigan April 19, (Sterling Heights) 20, (LIvonia) and 21 (Ann Arbor) See the attached brochure If this goes well they will continue to offer this next year. Hope to see you there

I August, I am planning to travel to California to attend a 5-day training to become a Community Resiliency Model (CRM) Skills Trainer. I'd like to hear about other people's experience using TRM and CRM. Thanks! Deborah Bock, Anchorage, Alaska If you prefer to contact me directly, this is my email address: bockdebbie@gmail.com

In Social, renowned psychologist Matthew Lieberman explores groundbreaking research in social neuroscience revealing that our need to connect with other people is even more fundamental, more basic, than our need for food or shelter.  Because of...

How can we heal from the implicit bias of “ Mental Illness ” and “ mentally ill ”? I hear these words and it sounds like fingernails scraping down the chalkboard. “ The stain of dehumanization colors the mind, body and spirit and it is not so easily washed away.” - Michael Skinner Recently I read a blog post at the ACEsConnection website, “Erasing My ACES” by Sirena Wheeler. It was posted on April, 19, 2020. It struck a chord with me, many in fact and it put me on a spiral down memory lane.

Review: The Influential Mind: What the Brain Reveals About Our Power to Change Others. By Tali Sharot. Henry Holt. 231 pages. 978-1627792653 Facts alone don’t change people’s minds or behavior. Emotions do. That’s the basic takeaway from cognitive neuroscientist Tali Sharot’s highly accessible exploration of why and how we succeed, or fail, in our quest to influence, persuade, or alter the opinions and actions of others. Understand how the brain works, she argues in The Influential Mind:...

Teri Wellbrock offers a list of those books that had a profound impact on her life and helped her create a life filled with tranquility and joy. While she may not have agreed with every word written, she did find powerful answers, delicious little tidbits, and inspirational guidance within each book.

[Editor's note: This book was published in 2013, but I just heard about it. I've only scanned it, but it looks pretty interesting.] This is the review on Amazon.com: Thanks to technology, we live in a world that’s much more comfortable than ever before. But here’s the paradox: our tolerance for discomfort is at an all-time low. And as we wrestle with a sinking “discomfort threshold,” we increasingly find ourselves at the mercy of our primitive instincts and reactions that can perpetuate...

“Run,” he would shout. On two legs, I couldn’t match the speed of a terrified calf or steer, but I was plenty fast, especially in a sprint, so I’d launch myself across the gravel in front of our trailer while my father stood about ten yards behind me twirling his rope.

I wrote a book about developmental/ family violence and how ACES during early childhood can lead to the adult survivor perpetrating his own violence. It's the story of intergenerational transmission, the cycle of violence. I worked with domestically violent men as a prison psychologist for 28 years in the Wisconsin correctional system. While the population of offenders is not a sympathetic group, I believe that we need to address the development of an abusive personality if we want to stop...

So excited about this list! I have read many on the list and dont know about a few - but will definitely look them up! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much for the positive feedback! I know I have a growing list of book suggestions from podcast guests talking about favorite authors and/or books. Plus, I have an amazing collection of books written BY my guests. Looking forward to sitting on a beach in August and diving into a few of them.

Great list, Teri! I've read some of the books you mention and your list prompts me to read the others. Thanks again!

I love receiving new reading prompts and my list is growing from readers' suggestions after posting this blog. Glad I could offer some for you, as well.

I am honored to introduce my newly published book, which aims to help people understand the normal impacts of intense or ongoing stress. The book uses metaphor to help understand our complex brains, and to have some distance while considering some potentially emotional and challenging topics. The word "trauma" has become so widely used, that some may not understand all that it implies. By focusing more on what's happening in the brain, hopefully we will pass less judgment on others and...

https://smile.amazon.com/Redef..._product_top?ie=UTF8 https://www.routledge.com/Rede...p/book/9780367187651

You've touched on a very important topic - sexuality and sexual health - when it comes to various traumas including developmental and sexual traumas.

Thank you. I find that sexuality is largely ignored in many clinical settings. Highlighting the importance of this was one of my main priorities in writing the book.

I am thrilled to announce that we have a special A Better Normal session which will be part conversation and part meditation practice for those who wish to participate. Our special guest is Sarah Peyton who is the author of Your Resonant Self: Guided Meditations and Exercise to Engage Your Brain’s Capacity for Healing. This event will be held on Tuesday, November 10th, at 12p.m. PST and 3p.m. EST. Registration link:...

From UMass Medical School Communications, July 15, 2021 The American Academy of Pediatrics has published Childhood Trauma & Resilience: A Practical Guide , written by UMass Medical School child trauma and treatment experts Heather Forkey, MD, and Jessica Griffin, PsyD, along with co-author Moira Szilagyi, MD, PhD, president-elect of the AAP. The new resource for clinicians and caregivers provides guidance on trauma-informed care and the protective power of resilience. It details the ways...

(iStock/Rudzhan Nagiev) To read more of Linda Flanagan's article, please click here. Annie Duke is a retired professional poker player and an expert on decision making, and she has some thoughts. In her new book, Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away , Duke explores our hangups about quitting and debunks the idea that blind allegiance to a particular course of action is heroic or wise. Figuring out when to give up one pursuit and take on another is an essential but neglected skill...