How Recognizing Our Trauma Responses Can Help Us Thrive at Work

Dr. Melissa Hankins will discuss how our trauma responses can contribute to feeling unsupported, isolated, and burnt out in the workplace… and, most importantly, what we can do to begin to shift that.

Many of these trauma responses form in childhood, on a subconscious or “instinctual” level, and get reactivated during times of stress. As a result, we are often not aware of them, or, if we are aware of them, we may assume that it’s not a big deal – that these responses are necessary and even helpful. The problem is that these behaviors are directed towards surviving, not thriving.

Over the past few years, most, if not all, of us have been “triggered.” Many of us have even experienced new trauma – particularly when we broaden the definition of trauma to include one or all of the following: “too much, too fast,” “too much, too soon,” “too much for too long,” or “not enough for too long.” As a result, you may have reverted to old coping mechanisms, or perhaps even developed new ones – that are less than optimal but serve the purpose of helping you to survive in tough times.

Research shows that Black women experience disproportionately higher rates of trauma – both inside and outside of the workplace. While we may not always be able to dramatically change our work environments or organizational culture, we often DO have the ability to choose the ways we show up for ourselves and with others. One way we can do that is by gaining greater awareness and understanding of our own unique trauma responses and learning how shifting these responses can transition us from merely survival to thriving. This workshop is a place for you to begin (or continue) doing that.

Join Dr. Dr. Melissa Hankins and the THRIVVE community for this free workshop for Black professional women.

Who are we?

Asila Calhoun is a certified coach whose coaching business, Calhoun Coaching & Consulting, focuses on partnering with new leaders through executives from a variety of professional backgrounds who are ready for change. Asila facilitates this change during one-on-one and group coaching sessions with her clients and through her consulting services of delivering leadership training, team facilitation, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging coaching, consulting and training.

Asila has a direct yet supportive style that facilitates self-discovery and growth in her clients. Asila is recognized as a coach and facilitator who deeply listens to what her clients say – and do not say, inquiring about what she’s sensing while offering a different perspective.

Asila earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UC Berkeley, and she holds PHR and SHRM-CP HR certifications. She is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC), and a Certified Inclusion Coach (CIC). Asila is also a certified meditation teacher.

Joelle LaGuerre is a certified HR professional – a consultant and coach with a passion for positive psychology. A trainer and facilitator by trade, she is a dynamic presenter with an evident enthusiasm for both individual and organizational growth.

Through her company PRO-YOU, Joelle works with coaching clients to focus on self-awareness and exploration as the foundation for meaningful career and leadership development. An equally passionate consultant, she seeks to help organizations develop strategies that promote optimal individual and team performance.

Joelle earned her Bachelor’s degree in organizational psychology from Oakwood University as well as a graduate certificate in leadership development from George Washington University. She is a certified professional in talent development (CPTD) and will soon be an Associate Certified Coach (ACC).

Melissa Hankins, MD, CPC is the CEO and Founder of Melissa Hankins Coaching, a coaching and consulting firm that is committed to helping physicians and other high-performers overcome burnout, and helping organizations create and maintain psychologically safe work environments and sustainable well-being for their employees. Dr Hankins is a certified executive coach, Harvard-trained psychiatrist, and trauma-informed Emotional Freedom Techniques (“tapping”) practitioner. She provides individual and group coaching, as well as interactive trainings and workshops, and is available for organizational retreats and speaking engagements. You can connect with Dr Hankins on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/MelissaHankinsMD , or email her at Hello@MelissaHankinsCoaching.com .