PS-R programs have been evolving over many years in response to vital research findings that guide all of our work. Two, 5-year federal grants (2015-2022) helped to refine our approach into a clearly defined and flexibly manualized framework that promotes participant engagement, learning, memory retention, and life-long practice. The model is now offered for children, youth, and adults in individual, group, and family settings, and is being adapted for school settings.
Meet Joann Schladale
Joann Schladale developed PS-R, and supports a small, diverse, and highly specialized team of national trainers and consultants. We are recognized specialists in resilience, positive development across the lifespan, trauma, violence prevention, and sexual health. Joann, a marriage and family therapist, has made hundreds of presentations throughout North America, Europe, and Africa focusing on optimizing resilience in all life domains. Our PS-R team continues this work throughout the United States, and the training section highlights each team member’s professional experience and current focus.
In addition to mental health and medical personnel at a wide range of adult- and youth-serving organizations, we train professionals in education, child welfare, law enforcement, sexual and reproductive health, victim advocacy, child protection, juvenile justice, and more—those interested in stopping harm, healing pain and changing lives.
Joann is the 2018 recipient of the Gail Burns-Smith award for significant contributions to preventing sexual violence through partnerships between victim/survivor advocates and professionals working with those who have caused sexual violence. It is jointly given by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) and the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA).
In addition to numerous professional book chapters Joann has authored the children’s book, Everybody Gets Upset Sometimes (2023), Everyone Can Be Trauma Informed (2021), Optimizing Resilience Through A Trauma-Informed Approach for Adolescent Sexual Health (2024, 2nd Edition). She has two workbooks for youth: Practice Self-Regulation (2021 2nd Edition) and Practice Self-Regulation for Sexual Health (2022, 3rd Edition). She co-authored Stop It! A Practical Guide for Youth Violence Prevention, (2012).
Mission & Vision
Our mission is to promote the practice of user-friendly neuroscience-based skills for managing pain without causing harm to self or others. Our vision for Practice Self-RegulationTM is a world in which everyone practices these skills throughout their lives in order to optimally maintain good health and well-being.
Values
- Every human being has equal value and worth.
- Everyone is resilient and has strengths and resources essential for health and well- being.
- Self-regulation is fundamental to health and well-being and people are competent to make personal decisions.
- Everyone deserves to be safe. Assessing safety is ongoing as factors can quickly change and reveal potential danger.
- All interaction is guided by current empirical evidence for trauma-informed health and resilience.
- This field of study is relatively new and constantly advancing. Interventions are updated as new findings are validated.
- Effective services are holistic in nature and address needs that may not seem related to trauma.
- Addressing all life domains influences optimal life-long development.
- Cultural knowledge and humility are vital for providing individualized services based on uniqueness, strengths, needs, and perspectives.
- Facilitators are specially trained and receive continuing education to provide effective trauma-informed services
Philosophy
Do no harm. All services are provided in a manner that does not cause harm or injustice
Respect. All interaction is based on thoughtful consideration for basic human rights and dignity.
Uniqueness. Respect for individual uniqueness is paramount. Support is given without regard for race, ethnicity, orientation, religion, nationality, culture, or financial status.
Resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back after adversity. It enables people to practice evidence-based skills that promote health and well-being.
Hope. All services are intended to instill hope and belief that people can progress towards their goals.
Relationships. Healing occurs within the context of relationships. Everyone benefits from service providers who are warm, genuine, and offer nonjudgmental support and empathy.
Healing. This is the ability to embrace and celebrate life after trauma through attention to physical, social, psychological, cultural, and spiritual needs.
Competency Development. Calm and confident competency is the foundation for self-control. Participants identify goals and collaborate in designing and practicing unique ways to achieve them.
Autonomy. Supporting participants’ rights to make decisions promotes a sense of mastery that builds confidence and self-esteem.
Efficiency. All services are designed and delivered in the most cost-efficient and least-restrictive manner. Efficiency is measured through ongoing feedback.
Ecology. Each participant is part of a larger community with established institutions and agencies designated to support and assist them. All services are provided in conjunction with these systems.
Individualized Services. Interventions are based on unique individual strengths and needs of everyone involved.
Successful Outcomes. All services are research-based, document desired outcomes, and are delivered in collaboration with everyone involved.
Quest for Excellence. Practice Self-Regulation™ is periodically updated for continuous quality improvement by evaluating effectiveness and efficiency among all stakeholders. Excellence is demonstrated by staff maintaining fidelity to the model and is determined by harm prevention. Adherence requires commitment to providing necessary resources, staff development, and training to maintain excellence in service delivery.