Stress operates along a continuum. In small or moderate doses, stress can be beneficial. However, stressful experiences in childhood that are powerful, frequent, prolonged, and in unpredictable doses can be detrimental to a child’s development and life-long health. Clinicians and staff in the health care field have a unique opportunity to address toxic stress in individuals and advocate for developing systems that build strong, stable, nurturing communities.
Opportunities to RespondHere are ways you can get started in responding to ACEs in your role.
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Handouts
Click the images below to access guides and handouts that can help you learn the science and respond.
![]() A health practitioner's guide to addressing toxic stress
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Pediatric Guide
As a near universal access point for children in our state, pediatric and family practice clinics are well-positioned to support prevention and early identification of stressors with families. The ACEs Pediatric Project seeks to support practice change in pediatric and family care clinics through education and technical assistance. Core components of the project include:
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Additional Resources
Health Care
The resources included in this section are particularly relevant for professionals working in the field of health care. Mental health professionals and other professionals who work in hospital or clinical settings and public health professionals may also find these resources relevant to their work.
The resources included in this section are particularly relevant for professionals working in the field of health care. Mental health professionals and other professionals who work in hospital or clinical settings and public health professionals may also find these resources relevant to their work.
- Dr. Stacey Neu’s response, UnityPoint Clinic, Family Medicine, East Des Moines
- Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris’ Center for Youth Wellness
- Amazing Brain by Linda Chamberlain
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Toxic Stress Threatens Kids’ Long-term Health
- Domestic Violence in the health care setting
- Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health
- The Health Center at Lincoln in Walla Walla, Washington
- The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Public Health Response to Toxic Stress
- The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Healthy Foster Care America Trauma Guide
Mental Health
The resources included in this section are particularly relevant for mental health professionals. Other health professionals who work in hospital or clinical settings and public health professionals may also find these resources relevant to their work.
The resources included in this section are particularly relevant for mental health professionals. Other health professionals who work in hospital or clinical settings and public health professionals may also find these resources relevant to their work.
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Circle of Security:
- Art therapy
- Play therapy
- Attachment, Self-Regulation and Competency (ARC)
- Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: Strengthening hope and resilience everyday (SHARE)
- National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health: Creating trauma-informed services tip sheet series
- Birth Parents with Trauma Histories and the Child Welfare System: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals
- Engaging women in trauma-informed peer support
- National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors National Center for Trauma Informed Care
- Self-care for trauma psychotherapists and caregivers: individual, social, and organizational interventions
- Complex Trauma Treatment Network (CTTN)