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As a parent, our primary goal is to make sure our children feel safe and secure. Unfortunately, as much as we want to protect them from every worry in the world, anxiety is an inevitable part of life that affects us all.

Project Self-Sufficiency will continue the workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, designed to facilitate the conversation about issues surrounding adverse childhood experiences, with virtual sessions in English, Tuesday, June 6th, 2:00 p.m., and Thursday, June 15th, 5:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Wednesday, June 7th, 2:00 p.m. All workshops will be offered over Zoom. Sessions are free and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 for log-in details.

Parents, caregivers, and other community providers are invited to learn how childhood trauma impacts physical and neurological development and discuss methods for improving health and well-being across the lifespan at a virtual Understanding ACEs workshop hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency, Thursday, May 25th, 2:00 p.m. The virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation will address the neurological and biological effects of adversity on development and its corresponding impact on the health of the overall population. Tips for protection, prevention, and promoting resilience within the community will also be discussed. Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, for log-in details.

As an adult child of alcoholics, I learned about addiction long before my clinical counseling days. As this type of kid, you know something is off even before you have the words to describe the unease. Parents often fool themselves into believing they are hiding it from the children, but kids are more in tune with their gut than the average adult.

9-year old Sally* shares: Mom's entire tax return spent on plants instead of groceries. Disclaimer: There are no affiliate links in this article. Although based on real life experiences, this article is for educational and informational purposes only. Resources shared to show that assistance is available; please make your own decisions when it comes to choosing a mental health professional.

Project Self-Sufficiency will continue the workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, designed to facilitate the conversation about issues surrounding adverse childhood experiences, with virtual sessions in English, Thursday, April 6th, 2:00 p.m. and in Spanish, Thursday, April 20th, 2:00 p.m. Interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 for log-in details. Additional in-person workshops will be hosted by the Dennis Library in Newton; a session in English will be held Monday, April 24th, 5:00 p.m., and a session in Spanish will be offered Wednesday, April 26th, 5:00 p.m. Pizza will be provided at the Dennis Library workshops. The Dennis Library is located at 101 Main Street, Newton. All workshops are free and open to the public.

John, a grandfather of a 10-year-old girl, recently had his son and grandchild stay with him for a few weeks while there were repairs going on at their home. John thinks that his son is spoiling his granddaughter, and he’s written on Reddit about how it went when he confronted his son about his concerns.

*This is a work of nonfiction based on actual events I experienced firsthand; used with permission. “Bring me an egg.” Her father said. As soon as she handed the egg to her father, he dropped it immediately and said, “Look, that’s what you’ve done to me by becoming pregnant before marriage. You’ve completely broken me just like that egg. Things will never be the same again between me and you!

The relationships we form with our parents or caregivers in early childhood influence us. Our attachment styles, levels of trust, and feelings of worth later in our lives. If you were not consistently seen or valued for who you were growing up, you might feel triggered as an adult when you feel misunderstood or unheard. Likewise, if your parent ridiculed you in childhood, you may have difficulty making decisions.

*This is a work of nonfiction based on actual events I experienced firsthand; used with permission. In tears, she called me and said, "My mother has refused to talk to me for a month now. She had asked me to buy something for her and I didn't have the money at the time. She is punishing me by not talking to me. When I call to say hello, she never picks up my calls. When I call dad to see if he can convince her to just say hello to me, she still refuses. I am so depressed I can't eat or sleep well. Is life worth it really when your own mother can't talk to you?"

*This is a work of nonfiction based on actual events I experienced firsthand; used with permission. I said, "Tell me more about your childhood. Who did you grow up with?" The purpose of the question was to help me understand her childhood and upbringing better. "My dad was a piece of sh@t! I can't even stand hearing his name being mentioned. He abused me and my mother until he took his last breath. I hope he is rotting in the grave and in hell!" I didn't see this response coming because when she walked into the room, she appeared calm, well-collected, and very warm. The question brought back so much emotional pain from the past.

*This is a work of nonfiction based on actual events I experienced firsthand; used with permission. My own mother forged my signature and withdrew money from the account saying, "You are too rich you keep boasting around as if the world revolves around you!" From a very young age, she always seemed threatened by my success and felt like I was getting attention from my dad more than her because I was smart in school.

*This is a work of nonfiction based on actual events I experienced firsthand; used with permission. “I was only 10 years old. My dad got so upset because of something I said and he threw me out of the moving car. He left me on the side of the road and drove off. My mom was there and could not say anything or else she would be beaten. I had no idea where I was and was completely disoriented. To date, I can’t really recall how I eventually made it home. That part of my memory is completely gone.”

Parents, caregivers, and other community providers are invited to learn how childhood trauma impacts physical and neurological development and discuss methods for improving health and well-being across the lifespan at a virtual Understanding ACEs workshop hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency, Thursday, January 26th, 2:00 p.m. The virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation will address the neurological and biological effects of adversity on development and its corresponding impact on the health of the overall population. Tips for protection, prevention, and promoting resilience within the community will also be discussed. Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, for log-in details.

Are you struggling in relationships or with stress management as an adult? You may be suffering from an unhealed childhood wound. The good news is we can heal those wounds by raising our emotional intelligence and learning to reparent ourselves. I will guide you through how to practice these, but first, let's identify some examples of childhood trauma.

Matt Berke and Haley McCracken will explain how caring connections can buffer the impact of childhood trauma at a free workshop.Project Self-Sufficiency. Project Self-Sufficiency will continue the workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, designed to facilitate the conversation about issues surrounding Positive & Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACEs), with in-person sessions in Spanish, Wednesday, November 16th, 2:00 p.m. and English, Thursday, November 17th, 2:00 p.m. Both workshops are free and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to register.

Haley McCracken, Project Self-Sufficiency, will present a virtual "Understanding ACEs" workshop.Rob Yaskovic. Parents, caregivers, and other community providers are invited to learn how childhood trauma impacts physical and neurological development and discuss methods for improving health and well-being across the lifespan, Wednesday, November 9th, 2:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency. The virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation will address the neurological and biological effects of adversity on development and its corresponding impact on the health of the overall population. Tips for protection, prevention, and promoting resilience within the community will also be discussed. Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, for log-in details.

Sigmund Freud would be 166 years old yet, his legacy still impacts mental health treatment today. Per Mental Help, “while in his 40's, Freud had numerous psychosomatic disorders as well as exaggerated fears of dying and other phobias. During this time, Freud was involved in the task of self-analysis during which time he explored his dreams, childhood memories, and the dynamics of his personality. He admitted the hostility he felt towards his father and the childhood sexual feelings for his mother. This was what caused the most emotionally difficult yet creative time of Freud's life.”