The Trauma Center
Lecture Series
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Legacy of Trauma on Work and Career:
Applying Emotional Intelligence Concepts to Clinical Practice
Presented by
Nancy Brook
Vocational Trauma Consultant
Minimally, 1 in 5 leaders and employees are survivors of childhood abuse and neglect. The loss of contribution, creativity, visioning and productivity due to childhood trauma cannot be quantified yet these losses affect not only an individual’s work life but also the larger community. Frequently, jobs and careers are organized around old coping skills, shame avoidance and unfulfilled dreams. Central to continued recovery is the feeling of success in work. The concept of self development at work has been given minimal attention in the recovery community.
This presentation will address the impediment of traumatic experience to vocational success. Nancy will share what she believes are the key developmental delay areas that hinder job continuity. Particular focus will be on the degree to which applying emotional intelligence research in clinical practice supports self efficacy and skill mastery critical to managing the workplace.
About the presenter:
Nancy Brook is an accomplished vocational counselor nationally known for her expertise in trauma and work. She is co-author of Thriving at Work: A Guidebook for Survivors of Childhood Abuse and creator of “Why Work Isn’t Working” an audio tape for children of alcoholics and work. Known as an educator on trauma and work, Nancy presents at national alcohol and drug treatment centers, professional development series, conferences and in higher education forums. She is president of Authentic Work, a counseling and business consulting firm. She holds a degree in behavioral science as well as credentials in vocational counseling. Nancy has been certified in and consulted for 8 years in emotional intelligence and teaches EI in university settings. She is developing a model on self-leadership for trauma survivors based on emotional intelligence.