Developing Brain

brain development

A Number of Things to Remember about Child Development I just finished reading an article from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child and wanted to summarize the things they want us to remember about how children develop. “Development is a highly interactive process, and life outcomes are not determined solely by genes.” – The environment…

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Toxic Stress

stressed out child

I just listened to an Innovation Hub interview with Dr. Jack Shonkoff director of Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child (you can listen to this interview by clicking on the link). The core of this interview discusses the long term effects of toxic stress. Dr. Shonkoff suggests that everyone knows how it feels to be…

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Comfort In The Counseling Process – Part 1

counseling comfort

For anyone who is new to the counseling experience, it can feel intimidating. After all, it involves disclosing personal information that can leave one feeling quite vulnerable. I frequently meet people who have either never been to counseling and hold preconceived ideas regarding the process or who have kept themselves away due to negative counseling…

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What is Trauma

teen showing trauma

For so long many people have associated post traumatic stress disorder (complex trauma) with only MAJOR events, and while this seems true, it’s not true for every case. As a psychologist (a professional influence of mine) has put it, “trauma is any stress that can disrupt and affect physiology”. In other words anything that occurs…

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Regulation – ups and downs part 3

child dissociative

Some children are both hyperaroused and dissociative depending on the situation. They may be activated by stressful life events and act out behaviorally. When the situation becomes too much they collapse into dissociation. This wide swing makes it extremely difficult for parents to follow. It seems as though they are on a wild ride over…

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