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Digital Seminar

Geysers and Guardrails for Kids and Teens: Trauma’s Pressure Points and Adult Roles in Responsiveness

$129.99 Standard

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

Here's What You'll Learn


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

Everything You're Getting


  • More than 1 hour of video content
  • Up to 1.5 CE credits
  • Certificate of completion
  • Handouts and resources

Meet Your Experts


Michael Whitehead, PhD

Toggle speaker biography

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.

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Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.

Questions?

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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.

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Media Type:
Digital Seminar
Product Code:
POS150675
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Copyright:
Apr 24, 2026
Closed Captions:
Available
Format:
Audio and Video

ADA Needs


We would be happy to accommodate your ADA needs; please call our Customer Service Department for more information at 1-800-844-8260.

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