I recently had the opportunity to meet my 21-year-old self.
In June, I traveled with my daughter to Santa Fe where we visited the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum prompting a memory of a paper I wrote about the artist when I was in college. When I returned home, I dug through the attic finding the paper along with some other writing from my Psychology of Gender class that I took in 1990.
Here I encountered what I was thinking and feeling over 35 years ago. I was astonished to discover that I wrote about the inadequacy of the labels masculine and feminine to describe people, understanding that these attributes fell on a spectrum versus binary. My journal entries covered topics from intersectionality, the need for healthcare for sex workers, and expanding the definition of family. And then I became angry and frustrated with myself.
I sat there wondering what happened. How did I lose some of this understanding and have to relearn it years later? What if I had dived deeper, sooner?
My husband gently reminded me that I am not a time traveler and what is important is that I did remember. It also helped me to remember the importance of planting and nurturing seeds. My professor planted many seeds, some bloomed immediately and grew, while others went dormant, but were still there. And along the way, I have encountered many other teachers – co-workers, friends, and especially many people who I worked with as a therapist – to whom I am forever grateful. They were the sun and rain, helping to nourish the soil, and allowed the roots to grow strong and get established.
It is my deep desire that the NYS TINRC serve as a vehicle to plant and nurture seeds and for everyone to have access to the tools needed to spread the seeds of trauma responsive practices across their own communities.
With gratitude,
Elizabeth
Sessions in English occur every
Tuesday at 6 a.m., 12 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Session in Spanish occurs every Wednesday at 8 p.m.
TINRC on Tour brings communities together across New York to explore trauma-informed, equity-centered, and wellness practices.
Date: Thursday, September 25th
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Southern Tier Community Center
Register your organization!
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Schedule a free one-hour call w/ TINRC staff for personalized support
Make meaningful, trauma-responsive changes
Phoenix is a master storyteller and educator whose work is grounded in lived experience — embracing life’s questions, challenges, beauty, and transformation. For nearly 30 years, he has inspired thousands through heart-centered presentations that educate and uplift, weaving story with truth to spark healing, connection, and change. Read an excerpt from his first story:
“In stepping forward … I was choosing to step into the light and be seen as well as heard. I was accepting the invitation to belonging and acknowledging the power of love, hope, and possibility.”
The effects of trauma and stress don’t stop at the door when people come to work.
Keep reading for 6 simple steps on how to introduce trauma-informed practices at your place of work.
Many people go through hard experiences like abuse, violence, loss, or neglect. Sometimes, those experiences leave a lasting impact, even long after they’re over. In addition, new milestones – like becoming a parent or moving away from home – can activate old emotional wounds. This is called unresolved trauma.
In the fast-paced workplaces of the 21st century, more leaders are understanding the need to intentionally create organizations that are trauma-informed and psychologically safe.
The NYS TINRC ENews is produced by CCSI. The views, opinions, and content expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH).
