Nadine Burke Harris, 'The Deepest Well'

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris discusses her book, "The Deepest Well" at Politics and Prose on 1/28/18.

Harris won the 2016 Heinz Award for “transforming the practice of pediatric medicine.” The founder and CEO of San Francisco’s Center for Youth Wellness, Harris’s focus is the effect of adverse childhood experiences on people’s health over the course of their lifetimes. She developed her specialty when she treated a boy who had stopped growing after a sexual trauma. His case wasn’t an isolated one. A survey of 17,000 adult patients found links between adverse childhood experiences—including divorce, substance abuse, neglect, and violence—and chronic health problems, both physical and emotional. Dr. Harris here expands on her acclaimed TED talk, “I Was Thinking Too Small,” which launched her campaign to raise national awareness of toxic childhood stress and find ways to break the cycle. This event is part of the P&P Parenting Series.

Founded by Carla Cohen and Barbara Meade in 1984, Politics and Prose Bookstore is Washington, D.C.'s premier independent

Produced by Tom Warren

[romlyn]

One video I saw about helping adopted children - whom may have trauma in their past - which cannot be expressed or remembered - is that a rural environment (countryside - trees - streams - fresh air) and working with animals really does help. I realize that you may not be able to live in such an environment - but maybe having a pet and volunteering with animal shelters could be useful too... but meditation and being in parks can also help.

[deborahmurphy]

This was absolutely fascinating. Very informative. Also similar to Dr. Gabor Mate's book "When the Body Says No."

[michellelove]

The question about racism was powerful and I think it not only caught the doctor off guard, but made her uncomfortable! Black people are traumatized(as she stated) on a daily basis. This is exactly what Dr. Joy DeGruy is talking about in her work, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. This whole issue of racism has caused a plethora of health related issues that, unfortunately, people don't want to address or are in denial about. When addressing these concerns we always have to feel a sense of guilt and include "everybody's" trauma. But truth be told, that's a whole other massive endeavor that is going to take a tremendous amount of effort and as stated before, this country isn't ready to face that, as evidenced by it's unwillingness to provide due reparations to black people; or should I say American descendents of slavery.
I wish I could connect to that woman because I too, want to do work on racial healing. If anyone in the comment section has information about her book please list it. I'm speaking about the black woman who asked the doctor the question on race healing. Thank you.

[divingbells]

Wow... full of inspiration and hope! Thank you, Dr. Burke Harris!

[rhondacase]

Deeply grateful for Dr. Burke Harris' brilliant, compassionate work and voice. I hope the book and screening tool will make their way into the hands of children's therapists too -- especially those being treated because a protective parent suspects early childhood sexual abuse. We need more believers, like the authors of the ACE studies. Imagine if, like Freud, Ferletti & Alba had dismissed their patients' disclosures of incest as strange fantasies. Or worse, had concocted a bogus theory of "parental alienation" -- attributing children's disclosures of rape to brainwashing by the child's mother. Let's bring this work into the world of family court where abusers are given custody of at-risk children more often than not and where allegations of abuse are routinely dismissed as false. See Dr. Joan Meier's (GWU law professor) recent study for empirical proof. Time to bring science to family court as a giant step toward prevention of ACEs. Thank you to Politics & Prose.

[karenjohnson]

I can't wait to read this book. Dr. Burke Harris' work is amazing and eye opening. I only recently learned about the ACE questionnaire. Wow, this makes so much sense.

[bobtaylor]

This is a great woman, and if we had a decent government, she'd be offered the Secretaryship of HHS.

[orangexflamingo]

I am curious A battered mother was on aces test, but not an abused father. I got a 4 because of this, I believe it should be a 5. anyone knows why the abuse of a maternal figure made the test but not the paternal figure?

[smokie]

Watched her Ted Talk and was really impressed with what she was saying and her saying how early childhood trauma and the effects it has for life for the child/adult. It was refreshing to hear, and long time coming.

Her reply to the pre adolescent adoptee question, i felt she didn't address the trauma very well, and didn't mention the huge trauma adoption brings to an adoptee. In her field i would have hoped for a more scientific, informed answer, especially as she has 2 adopted children herself.

[missmsmrs.]

Love it! What a gifted, interesting lady.... Plus, what an excellent Dad she had! Blessed indeed.

[romlyn]

The lady that asked a question - who also commented that she did the ACE test on her 39 year old husband... he scored a 6 and this kind of explained to her a lot of things... Well I have one word of advice - it isn't your husband's fault that he had so much trauma as a child - it was the fault of the environment he grew up in - the fault of imperfect humans - imperfect adults... and he probably needs to hear that from you... and needs lots of hugs too.

[LeifCid]

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