Yesterday I had the pleasure to hear again (but this time for the entire day!) clinician, researcher, author, and internationally recognized authority on childhood trauma, Dr. Bruce Perry who was in Cleveland as the keynote speaker for the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center‘s Power of Prevention event in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Below are my Top 10 favorite topics and concepts (in no particular order) that Dr. Perry spoke about throughout the day to address the Impact of Trauma and Neglect on the Developing Child, as well as some links to his writings online or video associated with the content:
- The Brain Matters
- Sensory based “bottom up regulation”
- Repetitive, Rhythmic, Patterned Behavior
- Self-regulation
- Relational enrichment / Relational impoverished
- Response caregiving: Present, attentive, attuned, responsive
- Attachment is a memory: “the present is filtered through the past”
- Differential “state” reactivity
- Be present, parallel, patient: Dr. Perry’s “three Ps” that are essential for all those working with traumatized youth
- Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics
Dr. Perry’s three sessions and his examples were so very inspiring, validating, and enriching. I really enjoyed the amount of time we were able to spend with Dr. Perry to learn in person about his experiences, research, and his considerations for best practices when working with and meeting the complex needs of traumatized children.
I also enjoyed seeing the amount of attendees and agencies who came out for this day (300+ locally and from out of town), who are also interested in learning more about trauma informed work. There was also a good representation of art therapists who attended- Yay!
For more information on Dr. Perry’s work, additional resources, and training check out The Child Trauma Academy website at www.childtrauma.org.
creativity in motion 
Sounds like a great day of talks Gretchen! That bit about ‘Repetitive, rhythmic patterned behaviour, I know its about children in the material he has; it sounds as though it / something of that sort could also help young adults with trauma experiences, as well. – thinking of young person I’m close to, when offered much flexibility and choice, is overwhelmed by that. Which is how I do things, ie offering choice, its what I like; not always a good thing it seems! Is there anything you use that reflects that approach, that I could follow up on, to be more effective [family member and often its harder to be ‘neutral’ and effective when we’re so close to the situation I find!
hope you are well, thanks for your great bits of info and interesting ideas and projects always!
Rosie
Hi Rosie– Good to hear from you! Indeed, implementing activities that include repetitive, rhythmic, patterned behavior is not just for children- definitely adults as well! I have seen experiences with knitting, sewing, weaving, etc. be very soothing…..
Thanks for that, Gretchen so much sense in that…
sounds like a good idea to set up some stuff and possibilities for doing some craft activities. Can see how they are helpful just thinking of it now.
thanks!
lovely to hear back from you… have a good rest of the week there
PS Rosie—!
Also check out the work of Kelly Lambert:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/kelly-lambert-phd
re: Lifting Depression: A Neuroscientist’s Hands-on Approach to Activating Your Brain’s Healing Power.
This is great stuff- and I like how you gathered it as a ‘top ten’ list! Thanks for the posting, Gretchen.
I could have probably done a Top 20 with all the great content presented throughout the day… and a Top 10 of my favorite Dr. Perry jokes too…. 🙂
Great information! I just started knitting after being diagnosed with Lymphedema last fall. I love to weave, knit and embroider. Glad to learn about the type of things to offer that will be therapeutic and calming. All good to use for focusing and calming. I wonder if it somehow heals our brain and nervous system after trauma.