As an experienced estate planning attorney and foster/adoptive father, Chris knows the pressures that working families face. And the added challenges of working with the foster system, government systems, and the chaotic day-to-day of being a parent. Planning for the future feels impossible when you can barely plan for dinner tonight. Chris shares, "I can help,…

Developing children's self-regulation in the context of relationships: Theory, research, and practical strategies. The ability to regulate thoughts, feelings, and behaviors is the cornerstone for healthy development. Trauma exposure can have a cascading effect on regulatory pathways. Research shows that caregivers can buffer these effects. This session will introduce research on the development of self-regulation…

Relationships Heal: Evidence Based Mental Health Services for Young Children and Caregivers. This workshop will help audience members understand key principles of infant and early childhood mental health. We will also explore the importance of early intervention services that simultaneously support the developmental needs of young children, their primary caregivers, and their relationship(s) with one…

Chronic stress, feelings of helplessness, and isolation affect caregivers' ability to give quality care to their children. When you add the pressure of being the healthy attachment figure for a child who has experienced early-life trauma, the emotional demands can be overwhelming. Caregivers can easily slide into their own survival behavior and struggle to give…