Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience



This research-based curriculum is designed to address the life-long effects of aversive childhood experiences. Mind Matters targets the inherent and persistent toxic stress produced by incidents of abuse and neglect. In 12 lessons, instructors, both professionals and paraprofessional, guide participants in learning personal self-managed skills of recovery. Thus, they are empowered to take charge, healing their brains, promoting their health, and setting goals for their future.





Mind Matters focuses on six major topics:


  • Self Sooth and Emotional Regulation: Cultivate a mindfulness practice


  • Develop an Observing Self:  Gain Emotional Intelligence


  • Acquire Relationship Skills: Improve interpersonal communications and develop empathy, create a support system and learn to ask for help.


  • Compassion for the Hijacked Brain:  Learn that “It is not what is wrong with me. It’s what happened to me.”


  • Self-Care: Learn a variety of self-care methods with focus on developing a life plan that works.   


  • Living a life of intention: Develop personal life-goals and create a code of honor.







Who would benefit from Mind Matters:


Middle & high school students/young adults: Traditional and alternative settings, health classes, advising groups, extension classes.


Community organizations: Organizations who serve high risk populations or people who have experienced a high degree of trauma.


Mental Health Professionals: Counselors, psychotherapists, social workers, addiction counselors, marriage and family therapists, case managers, nurses, other mental health professionals.






Over View: The Mind Matters Training is a high-quality program that combines lecture, multi-media presentations, interactive exercises, practice logs and discussions to create “new habits of mind.”




Self-regulation is the foundation of this program


As participants learn to pair existing negative thoughts with self-soothing skills, they begin to take charge of their lives and improve their states of mind and body. They acquire the skills necessary for their physical, relational, mental, and spiritual needs. Participants discover that they are already the hero in their own life’s story.



Twelve Lessons: * Self-soothing skills. * Create an observing self * Develop emotional intelligence. * Apply internal family systems. * Communication skills * Develop empathy.  * Loving Kindness Practice. * Recognize support systems and designate a trusted adult. *Dan Siegel’s Wheel of Awareness. *   Understand trauma and its effect on the brain and behavior. * Introduction to ACEs science and measure trauma’s effect * Develop a plan for healing. * Journaling. * Integration of the senses through rhythm with cultural adaptations.  * Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping) * Efficient sleep. * Develop an individual physical activity program. * Chair yoga. * Build a road map for life and set SMARTER goals. * Create a new self-statement * Ask for help to achieve goals. * On-going plans for self-care. * Write a personal agreement contract. * Use a log for a continued self-care practice plan.





To order materials and further information regarding Mind Matters:




For information regarding training contact:


Carolyn at carolynrichcurtis@gmail.com or 916-995-6846



Introducing Mind Matters:






Learn more about trauma and Mind Matters.

Check out these webinars:

Effectively Addressing Trauma in Healthy Relationship Education


Introduction to a Trauma Informed Approach in Relationship Education









Mind Matters focuses on five major topics: 

  1. Self Sooth and Emotional Regulation: cultivate a mindfulness practice

  2. Effectively Stress Management: deal with intrusive thoughts and experiences

  3. Develop Empathy: improve interpersonal communications

  4. Create a Code of Honor: develop a life of intention

  5. Develop and Use a Support System: learn how to ask for help

© 2018 Carolyn Rich Curtis, PhD