Resources for Families

The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook

Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D., and Maia Szalavitz

"This book traces the evolution of Dr. Perry's work with children and youth impacted by neglect, trauma, and developmental adversity."

(Winfrey & Perry, 2022)

The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.

"Dr. van der Kolk is a pioneer and innovator in the field of trauma. This classic book published in 2014, outlines the development of his research, clinical approach, and thinking about the complex effects of trauma on the brain, mind, and body."

(Winfrey & Perry, 2022)

Born for Love: Why Empathy Is Essential- and Endangered

Maia Szalavitz and Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.

"Published in 2010, this book uses stories and case examples to illustrate the crucial role that empathy - and love - plays in development and health. The authors emphasize the importance of being aware of the shifting of social connectedness in the modern world and address many of the topics related to "connectedness" discussed in What Happened to You?"

(Winfrey & Perry, 2022)

Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World

Vivek H. Murphy, M.D.

"In this book, published in 2020, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the Surgeon General for Presidents Obama and Biden, addresses the importance of human connection and the impact of loneliness on our physical and emotional health. "

(Winfrey & Perry, 2022)

The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity

Nadine Burke Harris, M.D.

"This book, published in 2018, describes how Dr. Harris, the first Surgeon General of California, came to learn about the 1998 ACE Studies and the correlations these studies documented between childhood trauma and risk for physical health problems. More important, she advocates for changes in health care that will help identify, prevent, and address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on health."

(Winfrey & Perry, 2022)

What Happened To You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing

Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D., and Oprah Winfrey

Publisher’s Synopsis: "Our earliest experiences shape our lives far down the road, and What Happened to You? provides powerful scientific and emotional insights into the behavioral patterns so many of us struggle to understand."

“Through this lens we can build a renewed sense of personal self-worth and ultimately recalibrate our responses to circumstances, situations, and relationships. It is, in other words, the key to reshaping our very lives.”―Oprah Winfrey

CHILDREN'S BOOK

A Terrible Thing Happened

Margaret Holmes and Sasha Mudlaff, Illustrated by Cary Pillo

Publisher’s Synopsis: Sherman Smith saw the most terrible thing happen. At first he tried to forget about it, but soon something inside him started to bother him. He felt nervous for no reason. Sometimes his stomach hurt. He had bad dreams. And he started to feel angry and do mean things, which got him in trouble. Then he met Ms. Maple, who helped him talk about the terrible thing that he had tried to forget. Now Sherman is feeling much better.

This gently told and tenderly illustrated story is for children who have witnessed any kind of violent or traumatic episode, including physical abuse, school or gang violence, accidents, homicide, suicide, and natural disasters such as floods or fire. An afterword by Sasha J. Mudlaff written for parents and other caregivers offers extensive suggestions for helping traumatized children, including a list of other sources that focus on specific events.

CHILDREN'S BOOK

Whimsy’s Heavy Things

Julie Kraulis

Publisher’s Synopsis: Whimsy’s heavy things are weighing her down. She tries to sweep them under the rug, but she trips over them. She tries to put them in a tree, but they fall on her. She even tries to sail them out to sea, but they always come back. Eventually Whimsy decides to deal with the heavy things one at a time… and a surprising thing happens. With exquisite illustrations and delightfully simple text, Whimsy’s Heavy Things is a sweet story about changing the things that weigh us down into the things that lift us up.

The Brain and Neurosciences:

BrainFacts.org

(Link to site here)

"This is the most reliable, accurate, and accessible resource for anyone interested in the brain. It is public information initiative that is a collaboration between the Society for Neuroscience, the Kavli Foundation, and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. With materials for teachers, students, and professionals, this is a superb starting point for a digger dive into the brain."

(Winfrey & Perry, 2022)

Prevention of Abuse and Supports for Families

Prevent Child Abuse America

(Link to site here)

"This is the nation's oldest and largest organization dedicated to prevention. This site is a great starting place to learn more about innovative, supportive programs for families proven to reduce abuse and neglect."

(Winfrey & Perry, 2022)

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)

Adverse Childhood Experiences section of the Violence Prevention Branch of the CDC

(Link to site here)

"This site is a treasure trove of educational resources, research articles, and policy implications related to adverse childhood experiences. It is the most reliable resource for accurate information about ACEs."

(Winfrey & Perry, 2022)

The Neurosequential Model and the Work of Dr. Perry

The Neurosequential Network

(Link to site here)

"This site outlines the research, clinical programs, and other educational activities of the Neurosequential Network (a community of practice spanning 28 countries and dozens of disciplines).

Visit What Happened To You book website (Link to site here) for a complete list of publications referenced in Dr. Perry's latest book, and for more resources related to trauma, resilience, and healing."

(Winfrey & Perry, 2022)