trauma informed care Archives

Confirmation Bias and What Trust Has to do With It

One of the most challenging aspects of growing up with developmental trauma is having to unlearn certain beliefs—beliefs that might’ve served us at one point,

February 28, 2023

On Grieving Many Times, and Many Times Over

My beautiful, sweet mother died last week at the age of 90 years old. She passed while I was on a plane on my way

January 30, 2023

Did You Know There Are Two Celebrated Authors from East Troy, WI?

It’s hard to not make it sound as if it’s not my ego that needs stroking, but when I think about my work as an

September 15, 2022

Adoption Truth: What Every Adoptee Wants You to Know

What every adoptee/ relinquishee wants you to know is that we are not all the same. We have all, however, gone through trauma, whether we

July 13, 2022

Brace Ourselves

There’s no doubt that we’re going to be here for a little longer—here meaning the unstable and unpredictable world we find ourselves in. Nothing seems

May 14, 2022

Wisconsin Adoptees: Virtual Adult Adoptee Support Group

Wisconsin Adoptees: Wisconsin Adoption and Permanency Support is working hard to provide service and offer support to the Wisconsin Adoption Community. That includes providing a

April 14, 2022

What Does it Mean to Belong?

I talk a lot about connections and the importance of having a support group and resources within your community. If it weren’t for groups and

February 26, 2022

The Complexities of Addiction: Presentation to WISAPS Relative Caregiver Groups

I’m honored to be discussing “The Complexities of Addiction” with the KINNECT Relative Caregiver Groups sponsored by Wisconsin Adoption and Permanency Support (WISAPS), of which

February 18, 2022

Do You Really Mean Triggered, or Were You Just Offended?

One of the most popular buzzwords of our times is the word “trigger.” The word itself means “to release or activate” by means of a

February 6, 2022

How to Talk to Your Relinquishee

We may not born into this world with trauma (though some do experience trauma in-utero). Yet we are born wired for the world and for

August 27, 2021

Double-Whammy, Double Resilience?

One of the copouts of having gone through trauma is that you often hear that adage about what doesn’t kill you… makes you stronger. And

July 21, 2021

Relinquishment: Another Name for Betrayal

Imagine losing everything that you knew and needed to survive. Imagine losing smell, touch, sound, taste, and sensation that suggested to you that you are

June 8, 2021

Our Beginnings, Our Trauma

Recent coverage of a residential school mass grave has shaken up people around the world. Two-hundred-and-fifteen children’s bodies have been found in British Columbia, Canada—children

June 2, 2021

Adoption and Addiction Radio Broadcast – Sunday, May 23rd, 2021 – 6:30 pm EST, 3:30 pm PST

UPDATE: Listen to a replay of the broadcast here. Please join me and Pat O’Brien, Executive Director of the Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of

May 21, 2021

Relationships are Hard – yet Totally Worth It!

The other day I saw a quote from Dr. Tanja Windegger about CPTSD that said “after prolonged interpersonal trauma, you are even suspicious about support

May 19, 2021

I will be presenting at the 32nd Annual New York State Foster Care and Adoption Conference

On Friday, May 21st, at 12:00 pm EST, 11:00 am CST, 9:00 am PST, I will be presenting at the 32nd Annual New York State

May 12, 2021

The Theater of Adoption

What does it mean to belong? Who are your people? Who do you relate to? What is family? Those kinds of questions are just some