Traumatic stress

• Every year, up to 1 billion children worldwide experience some form of emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
• More than two-thirds of children report at least one traumatic event by age 16.
• I have been participating in a project that treats Ukrainian children and families affected by the war since March 2022.

The Ukraine project

• Given that they were still exposed to an ongoing threat in Ukraine, it was critical to help the children differentiate between a real danger and what was only a reminder of their trauma.
• So the therapist would teach them relaxation skills to manage the stress from hearing sirens or being evacuated to a new location.
• Our team of international trainers also addressed secondary trauma – in this case, the traumatic stress that mental health care providers are experiencing.

A different brain architecture

• Studies show that trauma leaves marks not only on the brain but also on other parts of the body.
• Chronic stress leads to ongoing activation of the stress response system, which activates neural connections involved in fear, anxiety and impulsive reactions.
• Even in the absence of a real threat, the fight-flight-freeze response – located in the amygdala, or the primitive, instinctual and survival-oriented part of the brain – remains constantly activated.
• In addition, other brain regions that are less important for survival – such as problem-solving, learning and memorizing – are less developed in children who have experienced trauma.

Storytelling as a means of healing

• First, it helps the child recognize how past trauma affects their view of themselves and their behavior.
• For example, a female adolescent who was sexually abused may be triggered by a male friend who comes physically close to her.
• But after receiving trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, he could express his emotions over his mother’s death.
• The therapy typically requires from eight to 25 sessions, depending on the number of traumatic experiences and the complexity of the symptoms.

Caregivers are critical

• 1 factor for healing from trauma is the presence of a safe, nurturing and predictable caregiver – a parent, grandparent, social worker, pastor or coach.
• These sessions give an opportunity for the caregiver to praise the child and acknowledge the strength it took to create and share their narrative.
• It works for a Ukrainian teenager victimized by war – or for an abused child living in a U.S. suburb.
• I can finally live my life without feeling like I’m going to break down at any second.”

• The capital raise will be used to advance Stella’s industry leading mental health research and open locations across the US and abroad.
• Stella, a Sterling Partners (“Sterling”) portfolio company, also unveiled its new flagship facility in Chicago, which will serve as a hub for innovative treatments, research, and medical training – including hosting clinical trials and uncovering effective, science-backed treatment protocols and methodologies.
• Stella has also introduced multiple new treatment protocols and modalities, including Ketamine Infusion Therapy, and the recently awarded SOF Protocol – a treatment that combines the benefits of ketamine and DSR.
• “We believe Stella can be the first to change the treatment landscape forever,” said Steven Taslitz, Sterling’s Chairman.

• The ONLY clinically proven curriculum of Yoga Science as Holistic Mind/Body Medicine practices to reduce physician burnout and stress will be taught at the 12th annual "Heart and Science of Yoga" Physicians Conference October 17-21, 2023 at the Equinox Resort and Spa in Manchester, Vermont.
• A peer-reviewed clinical study of this conference curriculum was recently published in the November 2022 issue of "Lifestyle Medicine."
• The curriculum will provide easy-to-use, practical tools to prevent and reverse the debilitating causes and effects of physician burnout.
• I have less stress and burnout, more focus, and am able to serve my patients with greater clarity.

• This comprehensive training in Yoga Science as Holistic Mind/Body Medicine is accredited for 34 CMEs through the American Medical Association and, as a hybrid conference, it will be offered simultaneously in-person and live-virtual.
• This year's "Heart and Science of Yoga" CME conference is dedicated to providing quality evidence-based education to physicians and other health care providers.
• The curriculum will provide easy-to-use, practical tools to prevent and reverse the debilitating causes and effects of physician burnout.
• According to Larry Iannarone MD, General Surgeon and returning alumni of the "Heart and Science of Yoga" conference, "This is the most phenomenal curriculum!