Center For Healing Childhood Trauma

Instructor(s)

Dr. Shannae Anderson is a licensed clinical psychologist in Virginia and California and she has over 25 years working with patients. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California where she studied under renowned trauma expert Dr. John Briere and distinguished substance abuse researcher Dr. Michael Newcomb. After completing her Ph.D. in 1995, Dr. Anderson developed a state of the art substance abuse, eating disorder, and trauma treatment program at Anacapa by the Sea — STEPS in Port Hueneme, California. This cutting-edge program utilized Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in conjunction with personal process groups and the 12-steps to produce significant life transformation for many patients. In addition to directing this program, Dr. Anderson was the Clinical Director of Miracle Recovery House for women in Ventura, California, and has consulted with a number of treatment facilities in the southern California area. She is currently the Clinical Director at Monarch Recovery Intensive Outpatient Program in Ventura, California. In her clinical work she has worked closely with survivors of the Las Vegas Route 91 and Borderline mass shootings. She also provides professional consultation to other therapists who seek her clinical expertise. She is currently the Director of Psychology and Co-Director of Ethics and Advocacy at the American Association of Christian Counselors in Forest, Virginia. Dr. Anderson is currently an Adjunct Professor at Liberty University in the Doctor of Psychology Program. She previously taught for over a decade at Fuller Theological Seminary where she taught Pastoral Care and Addictions in the Recovery Ministry Program, in the Masters of Psychology program at California Lutheran University, and in the UCLA Extension Drug and Alcohol Certification Program. Dr. Anderson also studied for many years under Dr. Dan Siegel, the founder of Interpersonal Neurobiology. She is an Interpersonal Neurobiology trained teacher and founder of the Global Association of Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies (GAINS). In addition, she is trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Instructor(s)

Stephanie is trained as a Developmental Psychologist and is licensed as a Professional Counselor. She has separate masters degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and Psychology and a PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology. She is also endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Specialist. Her clinical and research interests focus on working with infants and children with attachment concerns and trauma histories, specifically those who have adoption or foster care backgrounds. She has worked as a clinician, professor, and researcher and has provided professional development and support services for community organizations and schools around the world. Stephanie brings an extensive and varied background with her. Not only has the topic of trauma and neurodevelopment been a significant part of her career, as a foster and adoptive parent, she also understands how the research translates into day to day experiences for the adults that work with children with these histories. Stephanie has a passion for her work. It’s not just what she does, it’s a part of who she is. Whether it’s working with kids and their families, teaching college students, providing trainings to adults, or advocating for changes to systems, she looks forward to the task and has no intention of stopping.

Instructor(s)

Stacey Gagnon is a foster mom, adoptive mom, blogger, educator, published children’s book author, a registered nurse, and an international speaker. She writes the popular blog on adoption and foster care at ransomforisrael.com​. Stacey and her husband Darren founded Lost Sparrows, Inc in 2016 to alleviate the flow of children into orphanages in Eastern Europe. She also began a program to help first responders communicate with schools when children are involved with the police called Trauma Lens Care. She has traveled across the US and Europe speaking and training on the effects of trauma on children and advocating for special needs children.