WHAT’S INSIDE?
- Free webinar with guest speaker and trauma-informed occupational therapist, Madalene Rutherford. Madalene is earning her doctorate degree in OT and will be sharing interventions for children with trauma
- My new blogs:
- 6 Mental Health Myths to Say Goodbye to in 2023
- How to Overcome the Post-Holiday Blues Using the Power of Reflection
- Episodes 7-10 of the Connections Matter Academy
- Trauma Champion of the Month: Sara Cobb, Founder, My Grief Connection
New year, same me in 2023! This month I have a bucket full of childhood trauma resources to help you and the children you love heal from anxiety, panic, hypervigilance, dissociation, and relationship problems. My new year was uneventful, exactly the way I like it, but January 2nd I woke up with the stomach virus. As terrible as it was it inspired me to purge some thoughts and beliefs along with it. You can find out what they are in my latest blog below.
This time of year is always focused on self-improvement but I am slowing my roll this year. Humans are not designed to be ultra productive in the winter. I’m taking this time to rest and recharge knowing in April I will feel more motivated to reach new personal goals. I’m letting myself wear lots of pajamas, drink tea, and spend time in the mountains when I can. I encourage you to do the same, and let go of the pressure to be super active this time of year.
That being said, this trauma work still has me fired up, so come along and see what resources can help you and the children you care for heal from trauma and loss.
FREE TRAUMA TRAINING
How Occupational Therapy Can Help Heal Children with Trauma – Part 1
Tuesday, January 24th
6:00 – 7:00 PM EST via Zoom
Beth Tyson Trauma Consulting is hosting a free webinar with doctorate student and occupational therapist Madalene Rutherford. We did a dry run yesterday and I think it’s going to be my best training yet! We will share with you the neurobiology of trauma and how to improve cognitive/behavioral/emotional functioning following adverse childhood experiences. This webinar will part 1 of a 2 part series, but you don’t have to attend both to get something out of it.
Madalene is a preschool occupational therapist based in Central Pennsylvania. She lives with her pets Bay, Bo, and Blu. She helps students (and families) in special education classrooms who struggle with fine motor skills, self-care skills, sensory processing skills, and mental health. She graduated from Elizabethtown College with a Master’s of Science in Occupational therapy in 2019. She will graduate with an Occupational Therapy Doctorate in May 2023 from Misericordia University. When she’s not nerding-out about neuroscience or psychology, she enjoys hiking, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones (and four-legged companions).
Who is this training for?
- Professionals working with young children
- Parents/caregivers/grandparents who are raising children with trauma
- Occupational therapists who want to gain trauma-informed skills
- Career seekers and students of occupational therapy
Register now if this sounds like an event that can help your family or your organization. Stay tuned for the date and time of part 2 of this webinar.
NEW BLOGS
By Beth Tyson Trauma Consulting
1. 6 Mental Health Myths to Say Goodbye to in 2023
As a trauma therapist I frequently come across beliefs about mental health and psychology that aren’t helpful or true, so I came up with a list of myths to destroy in 2023! Awareness = empowerment. If you like what I have to say, please share this article with two friends or colleagues today.
Sneak peak…
Myth #1:
Believing we are “disordered” for natural human reactions to childhood trauma.
Check out my blog to read more.
2. How to Overcome the “Post-Holiday Blues” Using the Power of Reflection
The post-holiday blues are in full swing and in this article I cover the symptoms and what you can do to snap you and your children out of it.
THE CONNECTIONS MATTER ACADEMY
Episodes 6,7,&8
What is The Connections Matter Academy?
- An educational animated series to help teens cope with trauma
- Co-created 30+ alumni of foster care, me, and ConnectOurKids.org
- A FREE and entertaining resource to help people heal from trauma
Below is episode 6, and in this video I watch my ideas come to life on screen as we talk about neuroplasticity. You can go to the Connections Matter Academy YouTube channel to watch episodes 7 – 10. Please subscribe, Iike, and share so these videos find the children and teens who need them most!
TRAUMA CHAMPION OF THE MONTH
Sara Cobb, LMT, BCTMB
Founder of My Grief Connection
Sara J. Cobb is the Founder of My Grief Connection, a hub of grief resources and a growing support community. My Grief Connection aims to empower grievers to find resources, connect to community, and grow hope, by guiding them toward their personal healing path.
Sara felt called to connect fellow grievers with resources to find hope and healing after loss following the tragic deaths of her two older brothers, 43 years apart – one by a freak accident and one in a murder-suicide. Her passion and advocacy for grief literacy and mental health education grew from a combination of her interests, strengths, and life experiences. In the fall of 2021, she returned to university to pursue a Master’s of Science in Counseling Education with a focus on Clinical Mental Health Counseling in grief, crisis, and trauma. Currently, she is a certified domestic violence treatment program webinar facilitator helping court-mandated violent offenders learn anger and emotional management skills. Sara is also the co-leader of the only virtual support group for survivors of murder-suicide loss. If you or someone you know are in crisis or needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or call/text 988 – 24 hours a day, 7 days week
You can find Sara and My Grief Connection on Instagram and Facebook for more information and support groups for grief and suicide loss.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
- I am currently producing a course on attachment for FosterParentCollege.com
- In partnership with Connect Our Kids and the National Center for Adoption and Permanency, we will be rolling out the Why Connections Matter training for every child welfare social worker in Mississippi! I had the honor of co-creating the Why Connections Matter training alongside adoption and foster care expert Allison Davis Maxon, author of The Seven Core Issues in Adoption and Permanency, and I can’t wait to see the difference it will make for children in Mississippi and beyond!
- New podcast interview coming soon with Unraveling Adoption
I am so grateful to have a voice for children in these powerful ways!
HOW TO STAY IN TOUCH
Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter and being a source of inspiration for children with trauma. I truly believe there is so much hope and beauty in the world and I want to share that hope with others. If you enjoyed this newsletter please share it with one friend and consider joining us in the Facebook group, Emotiminds. In this private, safe group you can ask questions, learn, and find resources on childhood trauma.
You can also find me on LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up-to-date between newsletters.
I wish you peace, comfort and healing as you work with or raise children with trauma. It takes tremendous patience and perseverance to help children heal, and I’m proud of you.