Tag Archives: safety
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
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Putting Our Lived Experience on the Record Can Help Build a Sense of Safety
I started bringing a printed page to my pain specialist appointments because I needed a way to communicate that worked for my nervous system and his. Each page bears the date and his name, plus brief status updates on regional … Continue reading
Posted in Healthcare
Tagged continuity, Doctor, IPNB, notes, pain specialist, records, Regulation, safety
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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
Big Ways to Support Your Nervous System With Tiny Actions
You can support your nervous system by building small, regular practices into your daily life to support your system’s ability to find steadiness over time. These practices don’t have to be complicated or take much time; consistency is what matters … Continue reading
Posted in Neurobiology
Tagged coregulation, Nervous System, Regulation, repair, safety, support
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When “I’ll Pray for You” is a Symptom of Disconnection
I reached out to my brothers when I was in a protracted and deep struggle. I asked for safe connection, acknowledgment, and support. I needed them to see me and recognize how repeated abuse from the disease management industry had … Continue reading
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
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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
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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
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