Leading studies show that trauma is a public health crisis and the root cause behind much mental and physical illness, addiction, crime, domestic violence, homelessness and suicide. Effective treatments are available but there is a lack of integration between the trauma, mental health and medical fields and of general awareness on the issue. We exist to change that so that healing from trauma becomes the new normal.
More than 1 in 3 women and more than 1 in 4 men in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner.¹
60% of American adults report experiencing abuse or other difficult family circumstances during childhood.²
The CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study is one of the largest investigations of childhood abuse and neglect and later-life health and well-being. Study findings repeatedly reveal a graded dose-response relationship between ACEs and negative health and well-being outcomes across the life course.³
As the number of ACEs increases so does the risk for the following* :
- Alcoholism and alcohol abuse
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Depression
- Fetal death
- Health-related quality of life
- Illicit drug use
- Ischemic heart disease
- Liver disease
- Poor work performance
- Financial stress
- Risk for intimate partner violence
- Multiple sexual partners
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Smoking
- Suicide attempts
- Unintended pregnancies
- Early initiation of smoking
- Early initiation of sexual activity
- Adolescent pregnancy
- Risk for sexual violence
- Poor academic achievement
* This list is not exhaustive. For more outcomes see selected journal publications.
We address all forms and contexts of abuse (including not only physical and sexual abuses, domestic violence and child abuse but also emotional, psychological and spiritual abuses, neglect, trafficking, bullying, cults, systemic oppression and discrimination, etc.) in order to focus on the root of the issue, how trauma impacts the brain.
While we focus on interpersonal trauma, or trauma that happens between people, the methods we promote can also help those who have survived war, natural disasters and accidents.
Currently, an estimated 90% of mental health professionals are not trained in the treatment modalities proven to be most effective for healing trauma, leaving the majority of those seeking treatment left to simply cope with their symptoms lifelong.
Watch the 4.5 minute About Us video for a deeper look into the issue and what we do about it.