Happy New Year... Looking Forward to 2023…
As I snuggle up to watch the heartwarming short movies of the season. The big Green Guy was the first one my family embarked upon while chatting, munching and watching the holiday story. As the room became more quiet and the attention was more attuned to the story, I found myself seeing this tale in a ‘new light.’
The Grinch has always been so mean!! He steals and hurts. He has not a bit of empathy or compassion. I never liked this story.
The Grinch hated Christmas. Hated the WhoVilles. Blamed all WhoVilles for his meanness.
WhoVilles loved Christmas. Fearful of The Grinch.
What is all this with his heart??? He has a small heart!
The Grinch wants Christmas to come no more…but why?
Oh the celebrations with laughter and food.
The most irritating of all the signing.
The songs convince us that this big green monster is horrible with an empty heart and soul.
As the viewers are hurting with pain for all those in Whovilles. We want to reach-out and help the sweet little Max who has to fill some mighty big shoes as the Reindeer.
Our disgust rises as the story moves along.
But curiosity lingers…Why does he take everything?
I know just what they’ll do… states the Grinch…they will cry!
BUT…the love, friendship, connection was bigger than the tragedy.
Heart too small….
Negatively impacted by happy stories and experience during Christmas…..
So as I recognize that this movie short is from 2018 The Grinch Mini Movie(you can see clips on YouTube). It gives a few more specifics to this Holiday tale.
Sweet baby Grinch is living at the orphanage. He is forgotten at Christmas. He witnesses all those engaging in the love of the season. He searches for attachment, attunement, love… how to cope with something so unbearable for a child.
In this version, The Who’s are nice and not scared of the Grinch.
The Grinch is used to being alone, he convinces himself it is better to be alone.
The WHY, HOW to the -traumatic events that no one loved him. He received no presents and was all alone on Christmas.
All the noises, happiness, fun, all triggered horrible sad attachment memories from his childhood. He had no food and presents when he was a child.
His heart was smaller, no connection, no attachments, no community, no attunement.
Once we discover that the issue is not anger and hate, it appears to be loneliness and fear.
How refreshing it is for the Grinch to be so very creative, fun and connected with his dog. He accidentally turns the tree on at the Town Tree Lighting Ceremony; the sensory overload at this point was too much as it began the flooding of memories in each way of the darting of his eyes. This somatic encounter changes everything for Grinch.
Isolated, sad, no mom or no dad. No friends, no tree, no gifts, no one… no one cared!
He apologizes and becomes whimsy.
His focus for survival is connectedness with his dog and negative coping skills. We see him attune, connect, brainspot, and feel his heart grow with love and compassion nearing the end of the movie. He has a somatic experience.
He connected to the girl and with curiosity he wondered….. This scene is a fabulous depiction of attunement and brainspotting:
Sound, body, sight, spot, attunement, presence of others.
As we see the town welcome the Grinch, the audience ponders the thought that this is just the Grinch’s issues and perspectives. His trauma has been with him a very long time impacting his daily life.
The Grinch begins to realize that others do care when the reindeer returns to help him, when he is invited to Christmas dinner, showing kindness to Max.
Cindy Lou Who shares with the Grinch that he is forgiven and has been alone long enough.
Grinch struggles to do the hard thing… show up for Christmas Dinner. He shares with all those who are so excited to see him that he was mean because he thought it would fix something. The Grinch is excited to be part of it all as he jumps in to be helpful.
He takes the toast and shares his new awareness that it really isn’t Christmas that he is mad at; It is loneliness and being alone.
He identifies the true change in his heart… that one little person's act of kindness changed his entire life.
What a wonder this may have been to take such a surface story of meanness verses kindness and allow humanity to see that early experiences do impact our lives. We hold on to it. We relive it. We need to learn how to let go of it!
I am so thankful for this new rendition of an old tale. Things I will take with me…
Showing kindness is a valuable healing tool. Teach this to others!
Keeping our eyes open to those who are sad, angry, lonely. Everyone needs connection!
People don’t always know why they are mad. We hold experiences and trauma that come out in unexpected ways. Compassion is important.
One act of kindness can make a HUGE impact. Smile and care.
My challenge to our Society for 2023… put this into practice, I would venture a guess that our society would see a decrease in depression, anxiety and addiction.
When a person feels love and connection to others, they are able to manage the ups and downs of life more effectively.
What we all need is kindness and love! Proclaims the Grinch…
Buckeye Brainspotting Network of Ohio+
Peer Support Group
Third Thursday of each Month @ 1:00pm Eastern.
Join us @ https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6594591115
FREE Peer support meetings help you grow your understanding of Brainspotting through group discussions, questions, and networking with other Brainspotting Practitioners.
Book of the Month
A different option each month to increase your ability to impact your therapeutic experience!
Excited to start strong in 2023
I will be teaching a BROWN BAG webinar in March on this topic
• Cost $50 via Venmo @Holly-StPierre-2
Welcome to our New Members:
This could be you!!!!
The Member's Featured Spot Highlight!
If you would like to be the Buckeye Featured Spot Highlight click here
What's New? What's Going on?
Kristen and Nikki are doing a fabulous job keeping us all up to date on the happenings of the Brainspotting Community. Check it out!
A lot of new trainings, webinars, and groups are popping up. Take the time for professional development.
Look into your local professional development group.
Are you connected on line/ on Facebook with other Counselors in Ohio? I enjoy three groups: Dayton, Ohio Therapist and Counselor Network Group & Miami Valley Counseling Association, & Ohio Based Mental Health Therapist/Social Service Providers
Upcoming Events
zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6594591115
Next Session Starting in April 2023. Register here:
DON'T miss out! This Consultation Group Starting next week
Start 2023 with a renewed spirit for working with children and adolescents.
DATES: 1/12/23 2/2/23 3/16 4/20 5/18 6/15
Time:10-11:30am EST Cost: $65/session
Register Here: https://forms.gle/ofz4n5gSR5UU7YGK9
Consultation and Certification
Did you know that we are told we retain at most 30% of what we are taught? Raise your hand if you have found yourself with imposter syndrome or flat out fear after one of the trainings. Yep! We all need the opportunity to ask more questions and hear more from someone with more experience.
Consultation sessions are exactly why there are peer support groups(totally FREE), consultation groups and Individual consultations, These opportunities are here for each of you to deepen your Brainspotting Journey personally and professionally.
Certification sessions are to DEMONSTRATE an expertise, merit with, process of growth to a higher level; this is a time of refining and evaluation. These sessions ARE NOT designated for new skill learning and teaching. These short 6 or more sessions are structured full of growth!
Certification is a one-on-one, personalized training designed to sharpen your expertise in Brainspotting. Certification shows your commitment to Brainspotting and personal excellence. More and more, clients are asking for referrals for Certified Brainspotting Therapists not just therapists trained in Brainspotting.
Click here to learn about holly's consultations, certification, free groups, and professional discussions.
If you are Certified or a Consultant that is a Member of BBNO+
please let me know and we will list your name and groups here.
(Thanks Brooke Randolph)
Specialty Trainings
January 12-14 Group Brainspotting with Glenda Villamarín
May 2023 Connecting the Rainbow: Perinatal Trauma Training (Eastern time zone) with Jana Glass
April 7-18 & 24-25 Brainspotting with Adoption Specialty Training (Eastern time zone) with Brooke Randolph
April 19-23 Brainspotting Intensive with Cherie Lindberg, Sedona
April 21-23 Expansion with Lisa Larson (Pacific time zone)
Phase Trainings
January 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 Phase 1 through the Perinatal Lens with Jana Glass (Eastern time zone afternoons)
January 27-29 Phase 1 with Cherie Lindberg, Scottsdale
February 3-5 Phase 2 with Cherie Lindberg & Melanie Young, St. Louis
February 23-25 Phase 1 with Brooke Randolph, Indianapolis
February 24-26 Phase 2 with Lisa Larson (Pacific time zone)
March 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 Phase 2 through the Perinatal Lens with Jana Glass and Roby Abeles (Eastern time zone afternoons)
March 29 - April 1 Phase 2 with Pie Frey, DFW/Irving, Texas
and more
January-June Consultation Group for Children and Adolescents Holly St.Pierre
April-September Consultation Group for Brainspotting in the Sandtray
January-December Monthly Professional Discussion topics vary Holly St.Pierre
April RMBI Brown Bag Webinar Polyvagal Theory Holly St.PIerre
January 13-14 Deep Dive & Thrive with Cherie Lindberg (Central time zone)
January Transforming Your BSP Practice consultation group with Heather Harris
January-June Brainspotting Basics: Phase 1, Now What? consultation group with Heather Harris
PITCHING in....
~Are you someone who loves to post on social media?
~Writing is your thing?
~Maybe you like to lead and organize?
~Do you have a green thumb for technology?
~There are many little ways to contribute to help keep this support network going on a monthly basis. Working together to help post on the Facebook page, writing something for the blog, updating the website, leading the monthly peer group every once-in-awhile, finding speakers for the monthly groups, or being a speaker are just a few ways to PITCHin...
THE Buckeye Brainspotting Website click
This is a place for clients to learn about Brainspotting and get connected with a therapist or access resources. Clinicians are invited to utilize this site for networking, support, resources, and connecting to the international world of Brainspotting. THE Buckeye Brainspotting Mission is to inform, connect, and support all people engaged in any capacity of Brainspotting to further our reach and expand to the International Brainspotting Community.
THE Buckeye Nugget...
Thanks to Lisa Larson for sharing these...
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Monthly Report from The Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force:
December 2022 Update on Ohio's Anti-Trafficking Efforts
December 2022 Human Trafficking Update
A brief overview of current news and updates on Ohio's anti-trafficking movement news:
~Seventeen men in Northeast Ohio were arrested and charged as the result of a human trafficking investigation. ~Congress introduced a bill to expunge criminal records of trafficking victims. ~The S.T.A.R.S. Foundation, based out of Toledo, will expand services to assist youth who are at high-risk for sex trafficking. ~A man living in Ohio was detained by a federal judge for allegedly running a sex trafficking operation in the 1990s. tools & technical assistance Responding to Human Trafficking among Children and Youth in Foster Care and Missing from Foster Care The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families released an information memorandum on Responding to Human Trafficking among Children and Youth in Foster Care and Missing from Foster Care. Working with Foreign National Minors Who Have Experienced Trafficking The Office on Trafficking in Persons and The National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center released a new online training module on Working with Foreign National Minors Who Have Experienced Trafficking. meetings & events Survivor Series: Fundamentals of Sex Trafficking Jan. 4, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., virtual The Greater Cleveland Coordinated Response to Human Trafficking's Survivor Advisory Council will host a training titled Survivor Series: Fundamentals of Sex Trafficking.
Southwest Ohio Human Trafficking Conference Jan. 11, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Dayton Masonic Center, 525 W. Riverview Ave., Dayton, OH 45405 Oasis House of Dayton will host the 2023 Southwest Ohio Human Trafficking Conference.
Human Trafficking Awareness Forum Jan 14., 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Regovich Catering, 33150 Lakeland Blvd., Eastlake, OH 44095 The Eastlake Women's Club and the Lake County Collaborative to End Human Trafficking will host a Human Trafficking Awareness Forum.
Continued Presence for Law Enforcement Jan. 18, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., virtual The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Center for Countering Human Trafficking will host a series of webinars on Continued Presence for Law Enforcement.
Healing and Hope for Familial Trafficking Survivors Jan. 19, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., virtual Relink.org, in partnership with Eyes Up Appalachia, will host a webinar on Healing and Hope for Familial Trafficking Survivors.
Applications in Resilience Jan. 24, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., virtual Advocating Opportunity will host an 8-part series of trainings on Applications in Resilience.
It Happens Here: An Honest Look at Human Trafficking Jan. 26, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., The John McIntire Library, Auditorium, Meeting Rooms A & B, 220 N. 5th St., Zanesville, OH 43701 The Mideast Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition will host a training on recognizing and preventing human trafficking.
Ohio Attorney General's Human Trafficking Summit Jan. 26, virtual and in-person, The Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215 Registration is now open for the Ohio Attorney General's Human Trafficking Summit.
Freedom Network National Conference April 17 - 18, Washington D.C. Registration is open for the Freedom Network National Conference.
Stay Connected with The Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force:
