Do you desire improved communication in your preceptor/apprentice relationship, or with your co-workers?

Have you found yourself wishing you could respond differently when interfacing with clients and other providers during stressful situations, such as hospital transfer? 

From Celeste Kersey, instructor of A Neurobiological Approach to Trauma Informed Care, we are now proud to offer a new course that is specific to understanding and improving our communication.



Learning Objectives

1. Students will be able to name functionss of specific parts of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala, and the hippocampus.

2. Students will be able to distinguish which parts of the brain are stimulated when danger is sensed, and the impact of this.

3. Students will be able to explain how the brain is calmed using empathy and what empathy entails (and doesn’t entail).

4. Students will be able to explain the “Window of Tolerance” and research by Beatrice Beebe showing how this is impacted by the mother/baby or parent/baby relationship.

5. Students will identify the function of the Default Mode Network (DMN) and the impact trauma has on the DMN.

6. Students will identify characteristics of being securely attached and role self-empathy and compassion play in becoming “earned secure.”

Approved by MEAC for 2 hours of continuing education under approval number M2021-74-0610DE through June 30th, 2023.

Course curriculum

  • 01
    Welcome
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    • 1.1 Introduction
    • Printable PDF: What is relational neuroscience?
  • 02
    Meet The Brain
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    • 2.1 The Amygdyla
    • 2.2 The Impact of Racism on The Brain
    • 2.3 The Prefrontal Cortex and Neuroplasticity
  • 03
    Brain-Calming Communication
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    • 3.1 Understanding Empathy Through Needs and Feelings
    • Printable PDF: Needs and Values
    • Printable PDF: Feelings - Needs Met
    • Printable PDF: Feelings - Needs Unmet
    • 3.2 Example: Brain-Calming Effects of Empathy
    • 3.3 Exercise: Applying Brain-Calming Techniques to a Trigger from a Professional Setting
    • Printable PDF: Ways to Calm the Brain of a Midwife
    • 3.4 The Importance of Relational Warmth for Neural Growth
    • 3.5 Early Attachments and The Window of Tolerance
  • 04
    Practical Application
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    • 4.1 Feelings as the Foundation
    • 4.2 Needs As The Core
    • 4.3 Using Empathy to (Re-)Build Neural Networks
    • 4.4 Demonstration of Using Somatic Experience and Empathy
  • 05
    The Default Mode Network
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    • 5.1 The Importance of the Default Mode Network
    • 5.2 Addressing the Default Mode Network
  • 06
    Conclusion and Evaluation
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    • 6.1 Conclusion
    • MEAC Evaluation Questions
  • 07
    Post-Tests and CE Certificates
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    • MEAC Post-Test and CE Certificate

Celeste Kersey, BA, CPM, LDM

Instructor Bio:

Celeste Kersey is passionate about living consciously, and is a perpetual student of NVC and Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), Midwifery and Motherhood. Celeste has taught Communication courses, is a clinical training preceptor for midwifery students, and facilitates Non-Violent Communication (NVC) workshops. In addition to teaching, she has over 20 years of clinical midwifery experience, and has an active midwifery practice in rural Oregon.
Celeste Kersey, BA, CPM, LDM

Instant Unlimited Access

Take the course, print your CE certificate, retain access for later reference.