Trauma-Informed Leadership and Workplace Culture Insights

Understanding attachment theory helps us make the important first step of the trauma-informed paradigm shift. Once we make the shift, we can set our sights on healing in our relationships. Whether you’re here because you have an insecure attachment style or you want to know how you can support someone with an insecure attachment style, you’ve come to the right place. These practical tips for building secure relationships can help you and those you care about—whether they’re y

Attachment styles can help us understand how our trauma impacts our relationships—and what we can do about it. I work with many...

Whether you’re considering your romantic, platonic, or professional relationships, knowing these 7 characteristics of a healthy...

Use these 9 ready-to-say phrases to build trust and psychological safety at work—plus when to use each one and what to avoid so it lands well.

People are always asking me: what do I do to heal my trauma? And people are always disappointed when I tell them the answer. Why? Because...

Sometimes, we know we need something, but we don’t know what that thing is. You might find it here. In the journey of self-discovery and...

We often discuss feelings, cultural practices, and relationships in trauma-informed systems change—but don’t let that fool you. Trauma is a science, and our emotional experiences can have lasting physiological and neurological impacts. In the realm of trauma-informed care and systems change, understanding the close connection between trauma and the brain is pivotal. Whether you work with populations who are at a high-risk of exposure to trauma or you yourself are healing from

If you’re someone who’s always looking for one more trauma-informed resource to add to your toolkit, you’re in luck. This list of 15 trauma-informed tools includes great coping strategies, mindfulness exercises, and grounding activities. Practical Trauma-Informed Tools for Resilience and Executive Functioning When we’re stuck in our trauma, we can’t access our executive functioning. It’s why we sometimes act in ways that don’t make sense (or in ways we’re not proud of). No ma

Of all the trauma-informed phrases I use, “yes, AND” might be the most common. “Yes, AND” represents a way of thinking that is essential...

This blog discusses self-harm and suicide, which can be sensitive topics to many readers. Please establish your safety before reading, including your mental, psychological, emotional, and safety. Self-harm is a topic that's often discussed in hushed tones, if at all. When we talk about this common warning sign for crisis (which often goes hand in hand with passive or active suicidal ideation), many people’s minds immediately jump to the more extreme forms of self-destructive

Safety is a crucial topic for trauma-informed systems, and understanding how your community defines safety is no small task. If I asked...

No matter what model you use, SAMHSA or Sanctuary, safety is a core value of trauma-informed care. Safety is arguably one of the most important pillars (if not THE most important pillar) of shifting towards a trauma informed approach. Here’s why. This isn’t the first time we’ve talked about the importance of safety at work , and it won’t be the last! Trauma-informed change is centered on the concept of trauma healing, and safety is crucial to healing. Actually, that might be

Use JADE (Justify, Argue, Defend, Explain) to spot trauma-driven defensiveness at work and respond skillfully with scripts that reduce escalation and build safety.

Trauma disconnects us, making it difficult for us to access the parts of our brain responsible for executive functioning skills. When we understand how trauma impacts us, it becomes easier to see trauma playing out in our day-to-day lives. What does executive functioning mean? Executive functioning refers to a set of cognitive processes that are responsible for goal-directed behavior, decision-making, and self-regulation. It involves the ability to plan, organize, initiate,

There is a strong connection between childhood trauma and addiction, which is why preventative trauma-informed interventions are crucial...

If we want to create real change, we have to zoom way out to look at the issues, solutions, and goals from a systems perspective. We also...

What is financial trauma? Learn common signs, real-life examples, and how money stress shapes beliefs and behavior. Practical reflection prompts and next steps to build safety, reduce shame, and create a healthier relationship with money.

These fast facts might change your perspective on the foster care system. Most people in the US don’t have a solid understanding of the...

Whether we’re talking about improving performance at work or raising children, resilience is a hot topic that everyone wants to learn...

Adoption is a common family planning tool, and foster care is often overlooked in favor of adoption. However, foster care is a viable alternative for adoption for prospective parents who want to raise a child. If you’re considering growing your family, I urge you to consider all your options before choosing adoption. Not only is adopting a baby expensive, but it can also be ethically questionable—that’s a story for another time, though. For now, here are eight alternatives to