Tag Archives: connection
Why One Safe Connection Affects Everything
In the past few months, I have enjoyed a noticeably improved quality of life. I don’t have to spend so much focus desperately trying to build connections. I have more energy for other things, like working in the garden and … Continue reading
Posted in PTSD, Uncategorized
Tagged connection, integrated relationships, integration, mutuality, recovery, relationships, support
Leave a comment
Cues of Safety: Why Connection is Non-Negotiable in Healthcare
Cues of safety are signals we give each other that tell our nervous systems we are safe with one another. When we feel pro-social and safe enough to be authentic and truly connect, we naturally give off these cues, which … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged chronic disease, chronic illness, connection, Doctor, Empathy, healthcare, Medicine, practitioner, PTSD, safety
Leave a comment
The Granddaddy Effect: Honoring Raxley Leonard Obarr on His 140th Birthday and the Neuroscience of a Life-Saving Connection
Today, March 13th, marks the 140th birthday of my maternal great-grandfather, Raxley Leonard Obarr, my Granddaddy. He was the only grandfather figure I knew. He was also a Knight Templar, a master of bird magic, a juggler, and the kindler … Continue reading
Posted in co-regulation, Family
Tagged activism, belonging, connection, Granddaddy, great-grandfather, justice, legacy, Mental Health, safety, well-being
Leave a comment
Announcing My First Book!
Of all the things I could have predicted for my life, becoming a watercolor graphic medicine artist who uses cartoon ladybugs to teach Relational Neuroscience was not one of them. But here I am. My “Della the IPNB Ladybug™” books … Continue reading
Doubly Cursed: The Cultural Victimization of Victims
I’ve experienced being dismissed, blamed, and pathologized for being harmed. Caregivers minimized my distress, family members judged me for expressing it, and acquaintances labeled me oversensitive when I tried to speak about what happened. The world treated me not as … Continue reading
Posted in Abuse
Tagged connection, support, victim mentality, victimhood, victimizing, victims
Leave a comment
Control Sold as Awakening: An Interpersonal Neurobiology Look at Byron Katie’s “The Work”
Byron Katie’s teachings are built around four questions that invite people to challenge their thoughts, with “Is it true?” being the most famous. On the surface, these questions can sound compassionate and insightful. And sometimes, they can be helpful. A … Continue reading
Posted in Accountability
Tagged "The Work", Byron Katie, connection, disembodiment, dissociation, functional freeze, IPNB, safety, shame
Leave a comment
Latching Onto Safety: Why Dogma is Such a Big Bone
Stressed people, feeling unsafe, threatened, or disconnected, will gravitate toward anything that offers even a small sense of relief or belonging, even if it’s harmful or misleading; it’s better than nothing. From an Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) view, this is an … Continue reading
When Fear Calls Itself Freedom: How HSLDA Hurts Homeschoolers
The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has spent decades promoting itself as the protector of homeschooling families, but its version of “protection” comes at a cost. Their style of leadership is rooted in fear, hierarchy, and control, and it … Continue reading
Posted in Community
Tagged Community, connection, fear, Homeschool Legal Defense Association, homeschoolers, homeschooling, HSLDA, IPNB, Prince WIlliam County, safety, Victory, Virginia
Leave a comment
Top 10 Reasons Everyday People Should Learn About Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)
Most people hear the word “neurobiology” and think it’s something only scientists or therapists need to understand. But Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)–also called Relational Neuroscience–includes much more than knowing brain parts and how they work; it enhances our human experience and … Continue reading
Posted in Neurobiology
Tagged conflict, connection, human, IPNB, Mental Health, relationships, science, well-being
Leave a comment
The Societal is the Cellular: The Biology of a Sick Culture
Everywhere we look, people are unwell. Nearly ¼ of US adults live with a diagnosed mental illness, and over ¾ of adults have at least one chronic health condition. More than ½ have multiple chronic conditions. This is most of … Continue reading
Posted in Neurobiology
Tagged biology, cellular, chronic stress, connection, culture, distress, exploitation, IPNB, Neuroplasticity, safety, social, societal, society, suffering, Trauma
Leave a comment