Michael Cline appeared calm while traveling through Tenerife, but severe anxiety, depression, and frightening thoughts were unfolding beneath the surface. His lived-experience story reminds us that smiles and beautiful surroundings do not prove someone is okay - and that honest conversation and support matter.

“Sticks and stones” was never the whole truth. In this Author of the Month reflection, Joshua Bennett-Johnson looks back on childhood bullying from both sides: the child who used cruelty to feel bigger, and the child who later felt the sting of public humiliation. The result is a candid, human essay about shame, empathy, repair, and why words can leave wounds long after the moment passes.

Heather Proctor explains why trauma-informed care starts with asking “What happened to you?” instead of “What’s wrong with you?” She highlights the principles of safety, trust, collaboration, empowerment, and avoiding re-traumatization.