Keynote: Longing to Belong

Audience: Health Care Providers, Clinical Professionals, Addiction Counselors, educators and anyone invested in supporting emotional and developmental well-being.

Description:

“Longing to Belong” explores the essential human need for connection, love, and belonging. These fundamental needs are crucial in child and human development, shaping emotional health, decision-making, and resilience. Julie Brand reveals how the absence of belonging impacts individuals, leading to trauma, isolation, and emotional struggles.

Julie combines powerful storytelling and expert insights to highlight the transformative power of belonging in personal and professional growth. This session emphasizes how creating environments where people feel valued fosters healing, connection, and resilience.

Key Takeaways:

• The impact of belonging on emotional and developmental health.
• How trauma and neglect affect the need for connection.
• Practical ways to foster belonging in schools, workplaces, and families.
• The role of storytelling in understanding and addressing these needs.

 

Empowering Resilience & Inspiring Hope

Addiction Recovery and Resilience Building (Available as both a Presentation and Training)

Session Description:

This dynamic session is designed for addiction professionals, counselors, and recovery specialists. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the vital connection between addiction and resilience. In this session, Julie Brand will empower attendees with strategies to build hope and promote long-lasting change in those struggling with addiction. Participants will gain insights into fostering resilience and creating a supportive environment for individuals in recovery, emphasizing empathy, compassion, and the power of the human spirit.

 

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Know the Score, Know Your Patient

For Addiction Counselors, Healthcare Providers, and Clinical Professionals (Available as both a Presentation and Training)

Session Description:

Understanding a client’s adverse childhood experiences is crucial for effective trauma-informed addiction treatment. In this session, Julie Brand will guide addiction counselors and healthcare providers in administering the ACE questionnaire, interpreting scores, and integrating this information into treatment planning. Attendees will learn how ACEs impact long-term health and behavior, as well as the importance of identifying and incorporating protective factors that can help mitigate these effects. The session will equip providers with practical tools for improving client outcomes by addressing the root causes of addiction, building resilience, and fostering hope.

 

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Know the Score.

Audience: General Public and Community Awareness (Available as a Presentation)

Session Description:

In this impactful session, Julie Brand addresses the importance of understanding the long-term effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how they shape our lives, relationships, and overall well-being. This presentation is designed for the general public and community members who want to better understand the lasting impact of early trauma. Participants will gain insights into the neurodevelopmental effects of ACEs and the health issues that can arise as a result. The session will foster empathy and compassion, helping participants understand the critical role of resilience and support in overcoming trauma and creating healthier communities.

Key Takeaways for All Sessions

• Each of these topics is available for speaking presentations or trainings.
• Speaking presentations offer inspiring and educational overviews, tailored to your audience.
• Trainings provide in-depth, interactive sessions where participants can gain practical skills and tools.
• All sessions incorporate the importance of empathy and compassion in trauma-informed care and healing.
• Resilience is at the core of all presentations, with a focus on empowering both professionals and individuals.

 

Empowering Students: Building Resilience, and  Fostering Wellness

Audience: Middle and High School Students, College Students, Educators, Youth Workers.

Session Overview:

This session is designed to educate teens and young adults about the dangers of early substance use and how it can impact brain development and overall life outcomes. The session focuses on empowering young people to make healthy decisions, teaching them about the harmful effects of drugs, and the importance of building resilience. Attendees will learn about the connection between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and substance use, and discover holistic strategies, such as meditation, nutrition, and creative expression, that help build strength and resilience.

What You Will Learn:

• The dangers of early substance use, especially opioids, and its impact on brain development
• How ACEs increase the risk of addiction and mental health challenges
• The connection between early substance use and long-term consequences on health, relationships, and opportunities
• Holistic approaches to healing and resilience-building, including meditation, healthy eating, and art therapy
• Practical strategies for building resilience and making healthy decisions in the face of peer pressure
• Empowering teens to be agents of change and leaders in their communities