Courageous Connections Counseling & Consulting

01/23/2026

12/28/2025

12/17/2025

Ever noticed how shouting back seems to happen in a split second?
That’s not attitude — it’s the brain acting sub-consciously.

Mirror neurons fire before thinking begins, copying tone, volume and emotional energy automatically. A child isn’t choosing to escalate. Their nervous system is reflecting what it senses in yours.

This visual explains why regulation is caught, not taught — and why calm has to go first.

12/17/2025

It's Dopamine Mail mailer-stuffing day, so here's a half page of lecture notes from my grad school archive.

[ Image description: sketchnote on lined notebook paper about validation, parenting, and emotional regulation. Handwritten text explains that parents are not meant to meet every need, and that people are meant to learn how to self-soothe, which cannot happen if all needs are met and all problems are fixed. The image states that gently recognizing and naming the presence of trauma can build trust and reduce conflict. A speech bubble says “Try the magic phrase of validation,” followed by another speech bubble that reads "OF COURSE". followed by examples such as “...you feel sad,” “...that’s frustrating,” and “...you are upset right now.” Text suggests that instead of fixing, parents can offer Awareness and Validation- but validation only counts if it is authentic. Another area reads “Logic won’t help,” with arrows pointing to text that says care will soothe, calm, and ground.]

Enjoy this throwback from my days. Lecture by Steve Call PhD of

12/15/2025

A neurodivergent meltdown is not 'bad behaviour'.

It’s what happens when a nervous system has gone beyond its capacity to cope.
Not because a child didn’t try hard enough.
Not because boundaries were missing.
But because the brain moved into survival mode.

Meltdowns are the end point, not the problem itself.
They come after prolonged stress, sensory overload, unmet needs, communication breakdowns or executive function fatigue.

In the moment, children are not choosing their behaviour.
They are losing access to language, reasoning and self-control — the very skills adults often expect them to use.

This visual is here to shift the lens.
From “How do we stop this?”
To “What is this child’s nervous system telling us?”

When we respond with punishment or withdrawal of support, we escalate distress.
When we respond with regulation, safety and understanding, we reduce future meltdowns — not just manage the current one.

👉 For deeper support, our meltdown and regulation resources are available
link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

Save this. Share it.
Because children don’t need to be controlled — they need to be supported.

12/13/2025

Some children seem to manage so well at school — polite, quiet, compliant.
Then they come home and everything falls apart.

That shift isn’t manipulation.
It’s the crash that happens when a child has spent all day masking, suppressing, and holding it together.

At school they survive.
At home they release.

Our new visual explores what’s really happening beneath the surface — and why those meltdowns after school are actually signs of trust and safety, not defiance.

Explore our linked toolkits for deeper support:
Masking Toolkit – understanding the hidden effort of blending in
After-School Restraint Collapse Toolkit – practical strategies for recovery and regulation at home.
Instant electronic download with secure global checkout. at link in comments ⬇️ or via our Linktree Shop in Bio.

Save this post for when you need the reminder that 'coping' can come at a cost — and that behaviour always tells a story.

12/11/2025

Free HOW TO CO-REGULATE WITH A CHILD INFORMATION POSTER
Children cannot calm on their own when they feel overwhelmed. They rely on the adult to guide them back to safety. This image shows simple steps that help you co regulate with a child in moments of distress. Slow your breathing, soften your body, reduce demands, and keep your voice steady. These actions help the child feel grounded and understood. When the adult is the anchor, the child can settle and recover.

If you would like this as a free PDF, comment ANCHOR and we will send you a link to it.

12/10/2025

09/07/2025

Practical tools to support your parenting journey

09/06/2025

🌟 September is FASD Awareness Month 🌟

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) doesn’t always “look” like what people expect. It’s not just about physical traits — it can impact how a person thinks, learns, regulates emotions, and connects with others.

👉 That’s why FASD is often called an “invisible disability.” Families, educators, and caregivers may see challenges with memory, attention, or emotional control — without realizing the brain differences at play.

💛 With understanding and the right supports, people with FASD can thrive. Raising awareness helps us replace stigma with compassion, and assumptions with tools that truly help.

📣 This month, let’s talk about it.
What do you think our communities need most to better support individuals and families living with FASD? Drop your thoughts below ⬇️