Geysers and Guardrails for Kids and Teens: Trauma’s Pressure Points and Adult Roles in Responsiveness
- Speaker:
- Michael Whitehead, PhD
- Duration:
- 1 Hour 30 Minutes
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Copyright:
-
Apr 24, 2026
- Product Code:
- POS150675
- Media Type:
- Digital Seminar
Description
For some children, trauma rewires the stress-response system so that safety cues backfire – turning calming strategies into triggers for panic, meltdowns, or aggression. When adults misinterpret these explosions as defiance, the cycle of trauma deepens. This session reframes “out of nowhere” behaviors through the lens of vagal reversal, showing clinicians how to advocate for kids in homes, schools, and communities with a systemic, compassionate approach.
Key takeaways:
- Vagal tone reversal and its role in explosive trauma responses
- Flooding, physiological arousal, and hidden signs of distress
- Systemic roles of adults in recognizing pain versus defiance
- Resilience research highlighting the power of one caring adult
Credit
Speaker
Michael Whitehead, PhD Related seminars and products
Michael Whitehead, PhD, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and developer of Integrative Systemic Play Therapy (ISPT). He earned his PhD in human development and family studies from Michigan State University and MS/BS degrees from Brigham Young University. In full-time practice at Aspen Grove Family Therapy in Twin Falls, Idaho, he special high-conflict families, childhood behavioral challenges, and family reunification therapy. A part-time professor and published author, Dr. Whitehead is also the author of Treating Children with Disruptive Behavior Disorders and a frequent speaker and professional leader in play and family therapy.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Michael Whitehead has employment relationships with Aspen Grove Family Therapy and National University. He receives a speaking honorarium and book royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Michael Whitehead is a member of the Association for Play Therapy, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and the Coalition of Associations for Systemic Therapy.
Additional Info
Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)Access never expires for this product.
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Additional CE Info
For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepesi@pesi.com.
Objectives
- Explain the concepts of vagal tone reversal and its impact on children’s explosive trauma responses.
- Differentiate between behavioral expressions of distress and intentional defiance within trauma-affected populations.
- Identify systemic strategies – across home, school, and community – that support resilience and emphasize the role of one caring adult.
Outline
Understanding Trauma’s Pressure Points
- Vagal tone reversal and explosive responses
- Flooding, arousal, and hidden signs of distress
- Safety cues that backfire
Reframing Adult Roles
- Pain versus defiance in children’s behavior
- Misinterpretations that deepen trauma cycles
- Systemic responsibility across home, school, and community
Pathways to Resilience
- Research on the power of one caring adult
- Shifting from “problem” to “individual”
- Resilience as a systemic priority
Practical Tools and Considerations
- Heart rate variability and monitoring insights
- Frameworks for systemic collaboration
- Risks and limitations of vagal and resilience research
Target Audience
- Counselors
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Physicians
- Psychologists
- Social Workers
Reviews
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