Trauma Aware America is an initiative of Shay Seaborne, CPTSD, trauma awareness artist, Relational Neuroscience educator, and activist, who shares their experience, knowledge, and perspective.*
Unlike the behavioral health industry, the field of Relational Neuroscience/Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) offers a compelling framework for trauma and chronic stress recovery. It is non-pathologizing, shame-busting, and humane.
Classes, Webinars, and Workshops:
Shay co-teaches with BodyIntelligence instructor Imogen Ragone. Their signature “Foundations of Regulation” course helps you support a regulated nervous system, enabling you to cope more easily with stressful situations and make better decisions for yourself. Unlike forced positivity and pure will power (which is never enough), a basic understanding of neurobiology and BodyIntelligence offers real relief. We want everyone to have access to this important information so we do offer scholarships when possible.
Workshops and Webinars:
Understanding Recurrent Pain: Brain, Body, Environment, and Practical Skills
Building Circles of Safety
Navigating Uncertainty
Soothe Your Holiday Stress
The Roots of Peace: Building Safety Through Connection
“Della the IPNB Ladybug™” Books
“Della the IPNB Ladybug™” books offer a gentle, visually engaging journey into emotional well-being, exploring how our brains work, finding balance, and navigating complex truths through simple language and warm illustrations.
Each short, focused book is a portable regulator, distilling vital truths about healing, connection, and how we affect each other, creating a field guide for humanity. Discover the expanding series and unlock a living library of regulation and relationship.
All about trauma, the best definition of which is, “Too much or too little for too long.” Find answers to these questions and more:
What is trauma?
What are the most common symptoms of trauma and chronic toxic stress?
How does the nervous system respond to trauma?
What causes trauma?
How can we recover from trauma together?
What do trauma survivors need?
Unresolved trauma affects every aspect of life.
Trauma dysregulates the nervous system, disintegrates the brain, and distorts our ability to feel safe in connection. It separates us from ourselves, each other, and our place in the world.
Trauma may not be avoidable, but PTSD is preventable.
PTSD is a neurophysiological condition caused by a failure of the environment.
Psychiatry and medicine are not going to save us.
We can’t wait for the mental illness industry to swoop in and save us. The disease management industry is inherently pathologizing and dehumanizing, as well as 20 years behind neuroscience. If the industry could save us it would have already. We wouldn’t have increasing numbers of people on long-term antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and pain medications. Medicine also ignores the neurobiology of trauma and its profound effect on health and life trajectory.
Instead of looking toward professionals, we need to look to each other. We are innately capable of helping each other not only recover from trauma but avoid PTSD. We’ve forgotten because the dominant culture has separated us from ourselves and each other insidiously for so long.
The miracle of neuroplasticity allows us to change our nervous system.
We are biologically designed to help each other heal. With basic information and focused attention, we can help ourselves and each other heal through the miracle of Interpersonal Neurobiology.
We need safety and connection. It is a biological imperative.
How we treat each other changes who we are.
We change the nervous system, not by a “reset,” but by frequent tiny bits over time, like a drip, drip, drip infusion.
IPNB-Informed Recovery Plan for Stress or Trauma
This model recovery plan emphasizes restoring homeostasis through relational safety, nervous system support, and practical strategies for daily life.
What do trauma survivors need?
Trauma Recovery Resources: therapy, books, resources, podcasts, videos, film.
*DISCLAIMER: This is not medical, psychological, pharmaceutical, or legal advice. The contents of this site represent Shay Seaborne, CPTSD’s lived experience and understanding of the neurobiology of trauma through study and experiences. For medical, psychological, pharmaceutical, or legal advice, consult a licensed practitioner.
#TraumaAwareAmerica