The optimal state for learning is one of safety, connection, motivation, and engagement. Every student and teacher is different, but there’s one thing each has in common: a responsive nervous system ready for action. Whether it’s a fight breaking out on the playground, a difficult conversation with a parent, or an impromptu fire drill, understanding how the nervous system responds can help keep teachers and students on an even keel. Polyvagal Theory (PVT) has had a tremendous impact on the mental health field, shedding light on how the nervous system predictably moves between different states in response to changing situations. School consultant Debra Em Wilson introduces PVT to educators and shows how using PVT-guided strategies can help create optimal learning environments. When school staff understand the role of the nervous system in learning, they can better help students develop the skills leading to increased resilience, adaptability, and flexibility: essential qualities for social, emotional, and academic success.

Maybe you have heard the terms 'trauma-informed' and 'restorative' - but how do you go about becoming a trauma-informed, restorative educator? This practical book outlines the values, ideas and neuroscience behind trauma-informed restorative practice and its proven effectiveness. It clearly explains key theories relating to shame, trauma and your autonomic nervous system, and explains how to apply this knowledge in practice. Examples and stories of restorative practice feature throughout to inspire and emulate, as do practical protocols, tools and systems to develop your skills as a trauma-informed educator. Critically, it also explains the personal and professional qualities you need to nurture to truly engage in trauma-informed, restorative practice, with reflection points to aid learning and self-development. Read this book and take your first steps to creating a trauma-informed, restorative classroom - even if your school isn't doing it!

An all-in-one guide to taking charge of your mental health, with research-proven strategies to alleviate daily struggles such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder, ADHD, and insomnia “This helpful book is filled with research and practical approaches for coping with a wide variety of mental health conditions. . . . A great resource for families.”—Ken Duckworth, MD, chief medical officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and author of You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health Months-long therapy wait-lists. Out-of-pocket costs. Online misinformation. There are more barriers than ever to accessing reliable mental health care—and when your mental health is suffering, you need help now. This book, written by three practicing therapists, is your comprehensive mental health tool kit. Drawing on the techniques they use with their clients, they offer a holistic understanding of more than twenty all-too-common life challenges, plus compassionate, evidence-based strategies for when you’re struggling. Even better, these are techniques that anyone can do at home. In each chapter, you’ll find: what the research says about the issue coping mechanisms that are used in actual therapy rooms step-by-step guidance on using these strategies in real life and overcoming common obstacles tips for communicating about the issue with your loved ones You’ll also find practical advice on accessing professional help, deciding if a therapist is the right fit for you (and breaking up with them if they’re not), and paying for therapy. You Will Get Through This illuminates the road to wellness so you can take charge of your own healing.

Students learn best when they understand their own nervous systems.

Innovative clinicians share their experiences integrating Polyvagal Theory into their treatment models. Clinicians who have dedicated their work to bringing the benefits of the Polyvagal Theory to a range of clients have come together to present Polyvagal Theory in a creative and personal way. Chapters on a range of topics from compassionate medical care to optimized therapeutic relationships to clinician's experiences as parents extract from the theory the powerful influence and importance of cases and feelings of safety in the clinical setting. Additionally, there are chapters which: elaborate on the principle of safety in clinical practice with children with abuse histories explain the restorative consequences of movement, rhythm, and dance in promoting social connectedness and resilience in trauma survivors explains how Polyvagal Theory can be used to understand the neurophysiological processes in various therapies discuss dissociative processes and treatments designed to experience bodily feelings of safety and trust examine fear of flying and how using positive memories as an active "bottom up" neuroceptive process may effectively down-regulate defense shed light on the poorly understood experience of grief Through the insights of innovative and benevolent clinicians, whose treatment models are Polyvagal informed, this book provides an accessible way for clinicians to embrace this groundbreaking theory in their own work.

"Overall this text is a very interesting read with significant applicability to both advisors and faculty. The creative advisor will have no problem synthesizing Materna′s ideas and theories of brain-compatible learning strategies into daily interactions with students and faculty." —Jennifer Varney, Hesser College "This outstanding book combines neuroscience and education to create an energetic and practical guide to the adult brain. You′ll finish it feeling as if you′ve just been entertained and enlightened." —Sheryl Feinstein, Augustana College Use brain-based learning techniques for powerful staff development! Brain-compatible learning promotes the brain′s natural capacity to learn, and more and more educators have been using this technique to help young students become successful learners. By combining adult education theory with brain-compatible learning, noted educator Laurie Materna offers practical, brain-friendly instructional approaches for working with adults in both informal and formal environments. This user-friendly guide provides valuable background information about adult learning styles, memory, and how the brain learns. Engaging, interactive strategies for classrooms or workshops include graphic organizers, music energizers, exercise activities, and self-assessments, and each strategy is accompanied by a wide range of real-life examples. Educators will be able to motivate adult learners to Become more self-directed in their own learning Improve their ability to recall, comprehend, and apply complex information Unleash their creative potential as they explore a variety of learning modalities Turn their education into a meaningful and rewarding experience Ideal for staff developers, trainers, principals, teacher leaders, coaches, mentors, adult education instructors, adult learners, and consultants, Jump Start the Adult Learner provides everything staff developers need to successfully implement this dynamic and learner-centered approach in any adult learning environment.