Understanding the connection between trauma, resiliency and a child's ability to thrive through adversity we explore the metaphor of the sea star from an evolutionary perspective. We then talk about how everyone has a resiliency toolbox and highlight some of the most effective internal resources.

1. RESILIENCY
From regeneration to thriving: What’s in Your
Toolbox?

2. Resiliency: The Basics

When we speak of resiliency in human terms we talk a lot about some innate skill or ability that is
part nature, part nurture and part super hero.. as ambiguous as strength, we often use the word
“resiliency” interchangeably with strength and resourceful. “Wow, you are so strong…I could
never survive that.”

What we now know through three decades of resiliency research is that resilience is best
understood as a process.] Most research now shows that resilience is the result of
individuals being able to interact with their environments and the processes that either
promote well-being or protect them against the overwhelming influence of risk factors.[14]
These processes can be individual coping strategies, or may be helped along by good
families, schools, communities, and social policies that make resilience more likely to
occur.[15] In this sense "resilience" occurs when there are cumulative "protective factors".
These factors are likely to play a more and more important role the greater the individual’s
exposure to cumulative "risk factors". The phrase "risk and resilience"' in this area of study is
quite common.
 Resilience is a dynamic process whereby individuals exhibit positive
behavioral adaptation when they encounter significant adversity,
trauma,[17] tragedy, threats, or even significant sources of stress.

3. Regeneration in Nature
regeneration is the
process of renewal,
restoration, and
growth that makes
genomes, cells,
organs, organisms,
and ecosystems
resilient to natural
fluctuations or events
that cause
disturbance or
damage. Every
species is capable of
regeneration, from
humans.[

4. Adaptation in Nature
 Adaptations help organisms
survive in their ecological
niche or habitat; adaptations
can be anatomical, behavioral
or physiological.
 Anatomical adaptations are
physical features such as an
animals shape.
 Behavioral adaptations can
be inherited or learnt and
include tool use, language
and swarming behavior.
 Physiological adaptations
include the ability to make
venom; but also more general
functions such as
temperature regulation.

5. Starfish Facts
Despite its name, the starfish is not a fish; it’s an echinoderm, closely
related to sea urchins and sand dollars.
They have bony, calcified skin, which protects them from most predators,
and many wear striking colors that camouflage them or scare off potential
attackers.
Some species of starfish have the ability to regenerate lost arms and can
regrow an entire new arm given time. Some of these can regrow the rest of
their bodies from a single arm, while others need at least part of the central
disc to be attached to the arm. Regrowth can take several months to years.
There are some 2,000 species of sea star living in all the world’s oceans,
from tropical habitats to the cold seafloor. The five-arm varieties are the
most common, hence their name, but species with 10, 20, and even 40 arms
exist.
Most sea stars also have the remarkable ability to consume prey outside
their bodies. Using tiny, suction-cupped tube feet, they pry open clams or
oysters, and their sack-like cardiac stomach emerges from their mouth and
oozes inside the shell. The stomach then envelops the prey to digest it, and
finally withdraws back into the body.

6. Starfish Mythology
The starfish has various representations in
mythology:
There is an aboriginal myth that starfish assisted other animals in
reaching their destination in Australia.
There is the Egyptian line drawing that depicted both the stars of the
sky and of the Red Sea with meanings of life purpose and the
afterlife.
There are other myths, such as the one about a boy who was
throwing washed up starfish back into the sea. When asked by an
old man why he bothered since he couldn't possibly rescue them all,
the boy replied, as he threw one of the starfish back into the sea, " It
made a difference for that one!"
There is the story of the Star of the Sea or Stella Maris who lovingly
creates safe travel over troubled waters and is also seen as an
emblem of salvation during trying times.

7. Resiliency + Trauma= PTSD?
Chronic yelling/shaming
Depression/Anxiety becomes
adaptive

8. Neuroscience of Trauma in a
Nutshell
The Artsy View
What Your Brain Actually
Looks Like

9. What Can Parents Do To Build
Internal Resources in their child?
Practice and Use
Resiliency Toolbox:
1. Meditation: building
mind/body
awareness/self
compassion and
empathy.
2. Journaling-expression,
self-awareness, creative
outlet
3. I HAVE, I AM, I CAN

10. What Does a Balanced Nervous
System Feel Like?

11. What does trauma feel like?

12. What’s In Your Resiliency Toolbox
Already?
What gives you comfort, hope and strength? Here are some
common external and internal resources:
 Spiritual Beliefs-
 Exercise/Sports
 Family
 Friend(s)
 Community
 Creative Outlets
 Nature
 Animals
 Storytelling/Sharing
 Meditation

13. What Helps You Calm Down?
 Deep breaths
 Counting to ten
 Finding a quiet space
 Soft Music
 Accepting the need to find space to calm
down.
 Finding a grounding place in body (feet are
great anchors and so is the breath)

14. How does journaling help build
resiliency?
 Journaling is a safe place to share your thoughts,
feelings and story. It also helps you get
perspective on strong emotions that feel
overwhelming.
 It helps you make sense of thoughts and even see
patterns in the way you think and even talk to
yourself.
 It is a physical way to be in the moment. Pen,
paper, and you.
 It captures a moment in time you will never get
back. And will help you track who you are
throughout your life’s journey.
 It helps you find your unique voice as a person,
writer and artist.

15. Conclusion
 We all have the ability to heal and thrive. We are all starfish.
 Children learn how to manage stress from their primary
caretakers and their environment.
 To reduce childhood depression and future mental illness
parents need to develop and practice certain coping skills,
which will enhance their own resiliency and extend into their
parenting.
 We have to learn those coping skills.
 Telling our story through journaling and expressive arts is an
important resource and one easily learned and practiced.
 Slowing down the moment through writing, art and
meditation increases relaxation, body awareness, thought
recognition, and helps to create a safe space we can always
return to.