Kendra founded UpTIC after working with countless youth who, in spite of their trauma, longed for healing and connection with others. The desire is to bring healing to future generations, one child at a time. This cannot be done alone. UpTIC offers hope for educators, families, parents, and agencies to foster resilience in the children they serve by raising awareness of trauma’s impact and providing strategies for healing.

When we work to bring healing to our children now, they are set up for greater success as adults!

What is Trauma?

Trauma refers to a stressful event, series of events, or exposure to long-term toxic stress that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. This negatively impacts the person’s stress response system, which can adversely affect how a person perceives and interacts with the world. Each person’s experience is unique, shaped by their brain and body responses. What might be traumatic for one person may not affect another in the same way. This subjectivity highlights the complexity of trauma and its impact on mental and behavioral health.

The Body’s Stress Response System

Our stress response system is designed to protect us in times of danger. It helps us react quickly to threats to keep ourselves safe. However, trauma and toxic stress can lead the stress response system to become overactive, impacting the way a person sees and understands the world. 

Behavioral Responses to Trauma

An overactive stress response can manifest in various behavioral and emotional reactions, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Aggression
• Withdrawal
• Crying
• Clinginess
• School disruption
• Lack of motivation
• Decreased academic performance

These responses can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, relationships, and daily functioning. 

Trauma and Attachment

Attachment is a bond created between a child and caregiver through repeated nurturing and positive experiences with that caregiver. Trauma exposure can disrupt attachment, causing children to find it difficult or frightening to trust adults. Disrupted attachment negatively affects emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships, complicating healing. 

Rethinking Discipline through a Trauma-Informed Lens

Traditional discipline strategies in schools and homes often overlook the effects of trauma. Because trauma disrupts a child’s usual ways of functioning, thinking, and behaving, it is crucial to approach discipline with a trauma-informed perspective. This means understanding the underlying needs behind challenging behaviors and promoting healing rather than merely enforcing rules.

By shifting our perspective on daily structures and procedures, we can better meet the biological and neurological needs of children and youth impacted by trauma. Implementing trauma-informed practices creates opportunities for children to learn essential skills, ultimately reducing unwanted behaviors. 

Healing from Trauma

The good news is that healing is possible! Understanding trauma and its effects is the first step toward healing. UpTIC offers a variety of training and workshops to help parents, educators, and community organizations not only understand the impact of trauma but also learn effective strategies for healing. UpTIC also provides professional counseling services to children and youth, supporting their journey toward growth and healing.