Anna Yeo, PhD

What do you remember about when you were very little, like 3 years old or younger? For most of us, memories of early childhood are beyond the reach of our conscious mind. And yet, science suggests that what happened during those years can have profound and lasting effects on our mental and physical health.1,2 Even while knowing the significance of early childhood, it remains curious what we can do about the experiences that we do not consciously recall. What might it look like to live with...

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences, including trauma, is sadly a common human condition. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may include growing up in poverty, witnessing domestic violence, having a family member who is mentally ill, losing a parent, or being physically, sexually, or emotionally abused as a child. 1,2 In the U.S., 50-60% of adults report having had at least one ACE, 3,4 and research highlights how both vulnerable and resilient we are to the impact of such early...

People have distinct relationships with their emotions. For some, emotions may be clear and easy to understand; they know how they feel and how to respond to an array of emotions without harming themselves or others. In contrast, some have trouble understanding and living with their emotions. To them, emotions are confusing, scary, and too painful to face and handle. Our own unique ways of relating to emotions are shaped by both our innate tendencies 1–4 and life experiences. 5,6 For...