Trauma-Informed Education, Community Healing, and the Work of ONE80

My name is Jessica and I manage our network of wonderful providers. Today I'm so lucky to have Jasmine Young on the podcast with us. She is the founder of 180 Health and Wellness. 180 Health and Wellness is a nonprofit and it is dedicated to supporting people who have experienced trauma with an emphasis on healing as a crucial form of self-care and personal empowerment. I really liked on your website, Jasmine, seeing healing isn't a luxury, it's an assignment. I loved that and I kind of wrote it down for myself in all caps. So, that's going to be stuck with you. Jasmine, tell me a little a little bit about you. So I know you've got lots of experience in trauma and that's a lot of a lot of where your work centers. How did the organization get started? So initially out of need for myself anytime I tell the story it's the same story.

I was going through a space of healing myself and didn't really know transition in life. It was after a divorce and I was in a place where everything was regulated, safe, but unfamiliar. And because of that, I had like a week-l long panic attack. And coming off of that, trying to figure out what that was about, I did some reading, researching it, and realized that my body was having a reaction to not being able to fix anything because there was nothing to fix. And so when I realized that I had been living that way for so long, I figured I can't be the only person who's dealing with this. And so I started my journey in understanding what trauma was, what it did to the body, what it did to the mind, and how we started to kind of behave in survival mode. And it became our identity. And when I realized how heavy that was, I figured I needed this for myself and I'm pretty sure other people need it as well.

So I became the person in that space. Is this when So at this point were you in the mental health space yet as as a profession or did you then start your schooling in the field? Not at all. I was in marketing. Really? These are the This is how the best tale goes. These are the best stories. I was in marketing. I had I had been in sales and marketing for like 15 plus years. And I was at that point because this was right around co and um I I had a marketing company and I started doing marketing for other small businesses. And again it was because I I was getting my life back on track and so transitioned from still in marketing and trying to figure out what to do. And then I started working at a school. I had met with a principal at a school and it was a a trauma behavioral transitional school.

Wow. And so and it was just crazy. Not crazy, but I know we everything I know. Whatever. I catch myself. I'm like, you know what I mean? Right. It's one of those things is you don't expect it to happen, but it's happening. And so, it was everything was kind of aligning the way that it was supposed to align. And so, working at the school, I was really, really close with the principal, and she was telling me, "This is something that you need to do more of." And so that's when I decided it's probably time to go back to school to learn a little bit more about this, get the licenses that I need because working in a school environment, that's what I thought I was going to continue to do. You have to have certain licenses. And so I went back to school to get my degree, get the licenses, and then realized after I think I was at the school for three years.

And I think maybe at the year and a half mark was when I decided to form the nonprofit because I wanted to do something to give back because it's a thing where a lot of people don't even know they need access to this, but when they figure it out, where are they going to get the access? And so I formed the nonprofit while working at the school. Wow. What what are some services that you offer? So, we do I do individual individual coaching. You do? Okay. Yes. Great. Um, one of the biggest things that I get a lot of requests for is the training that I actually do. And so, I go to different organizations. I started off in the schools because I was already there and I do a lot of traumainformed training. Okay. to where um just having the understanding because again it was a behavioral transition school.

So they're already dealing with a lot of trauma. A lot of the educators aren't familiar with the language and so the kids kind of get stuck in this cycle and so I do a lot of trauma-informed training in schools. I do trauma-informed training in different uh corporations and then I also do um workshops. Great. Okay. What are some examples even of when you're doing these workshops? What are some groups or or populations that that you find yourself doing those most with? Mothers and daughters. And it came very organically because when I when I first started, I didn't have a set of like these are the groups that I'm going to work with. It was just this is what I'm going to help teach. And then organically it started becoming like people would come to me and ask me you know I have this certain issue or I have this problem how can we address it and the more people would come I'm thinking okay well that would be a good workshop and so it was a lot of mothers and daughters not knowing how to communicate with one another or mothers passing their trauma down to their daughters and realizing that when their daughters get a certain age they start to behave in the same way and nobody really knowing what that's coming from.

And so that that's been a really big one is just being able to coach and communicate and and kind of navigate conversations between mothers and daughters. When you're in the schools, what's the age range of people that that you've worked with the most? And I'm glad you asked that because a lot of people are surprised. The age range is from 3 to 20. The youngest that I have worked with has been a three-year-old. Is that typically in more of a play therapy model with someone that young or not necessarily? That is usually the approach that a lot of people will take. For me, I like to do real world. So, um before even going in and addressing the situation with the student one-on-one, I will observe them for about a week. Um because for one, they're three. They they you so a lot of the they they don't even know why we're there.

Um and so I don't it's very important for me to get them in their authentic setting because that's when your behavior is real and true. If you let a child know this is why I'm here, they're going to immediately put on a mask and they're going to perform either one way or another. And so it's just an observation for me from the beginning to to kind of pick up on, you know, how they're reacting to certain people, certain environments, what their behaviors look like. And then you can kind of tell being a trauma-informed coach, one of the things that I specialize in is is body language. And so even if at 3 years old, if they don't have the words to say or express themselves, I can kind of tell by, you know, their body language. So it's not for me it's not played therapy because I feel like you would think that their defenses would be down but they know more than what we expect them to know.

It turns out that apparently that is true. And so it's like yeah they might be a little bit but no it's it's really like they're putting on for us. And so for me like play therapy is not my approach or the approach I would take. It's just just what is your everyday like? Let me come into your world. That's so refreshing to hear because when I was in grad school and did my internship, I was placed with young kids doing play therapy and I remember always noticing them noticing me and you know we're saying that we're just here to play like you play I'm here but you see them looking over their shoulder like is she watching? Did she see me do this or like should I should I do this? I really appreciate what you're what you're sharing that there are and maybe it's just me that thought this that like okay three years old it's play therapy maybe that is my ignorance but I love that there is a different approach that it's not necessarily they're under this age it's just sand try therapy right right yeah so something I believe you have a lot of knowledge on is identity reconstruction and self-concept as a core frame framework in trauma healing.

Tell us everything, educate us, tell us, fill us in. So this framework that I designed was is comes off of, you know, when I started the organization and even before being in the school. And I'm grateful that that's where it kind of started for me because I think that when you can interact with children, um, that's the most authentic understanding and comprehension that you will get about behaviors. And it took me years to kind of figure out, okay, how can I approach this and deliver it to where it's understood no matter who I'm talking to. And it was your identity because a lot of times starting starting off as a a child, you're kind of told what your identity should be and then you go through the process adolescence and you're figuring it out. And that's the same way that trauma works is that when something happens, you think that you're supposed to be a certain type of person, but then trauma creates this completely different identity for you and you start to behave in that way.

And so research and just kind of observations, that's what I landed on was, you know, in order to build self-concept, which I think is the core of not necessarily healing from trauma, but understanding it, being more aware of the trauma, is being able to understand who you are. Not, you know, who you're supposed to be, not what the trauma created, but actually who you are to your core. And the identity reconstruction is basically understanding who you are and being able to stabilize that in whatever circumstance. And so it's all about nervous system regulation, being able to so it's not a thing a lot of people will tell you, well, when you're dealing with trauma, you know, you either mask it or we talk it to death or but it's what I think is important with self-concept is acknowledging it and saying, "Yes, this has happened."

The identity reconstruction part is saying that I'm still who I am even though this happened because I'm going to be triggered again. So, how do I move forward? That's really interesting. And and when I knew that was something that you really specialized with, especially that concept, I was thinking in my head, I was like, what does that mean? I need to know I need to know more what that means. And from everything you've said so far, really seems like what you focus on is your own. And I mean that that's a compliment. I mean that like it seems like you really you've gathered this information. You've done a lot of studying and research and based on everything that you've gathered from observations, everything it seems are then applying that kind of broadly. Yes. I feel like that's a theme I've maybe picked up on and I love that.

Mhm. Yes. It's so it can be anybody that I work with can take it and apply it. It can because it's not, you know, gender based. It's not age based. It's not cultural. It's it's based off of who you are as a person. It's it's very much centered on, you know, the framework of self-concept. Do you when you go into I think that that you had mentioned you go into workplaces or or do some work with trauma and how it impacts the workplace. Can you tell us a little bit about it? Mhm. Um, a lot of times where because uh my my bachelor's is in industrial organizational psychology, right? And so, um, that helped a lot being able to go into the workplace. And a lot of times people don't think about when you think about retention at work and how to retain employees, they never think about trauma. That's probably far from, you know, an employer's thought process.

But we have become a society where mindfulness is a thing and we're trying to make sure people get their mental health in place and we're giving them the days, but we we don't really know why. And so when I go into a workplace, let's say for instance like a call center is a a a big target hot spot with trauma a lot of times because of the customers that they deal with, but then it's also the things that they're dealing with at home. A lot of employers will tell you, you know, leave it at the door. Don't don't bring home to work. Don't take work home. But that is almost impossible for people to do. And so where they're missing the mark is they're not teaching the transition of how to cope while you're at work or while you're at home. Being able to say it's okay to say, "I need a break." Or being able to walk away from something or thinking, "Well, I lost this employee." not because they missed a lot of days, but why did they miss so many days?

And so going into corporations and businesses and organizations, it's it's really talking about that just the fundamentals of understanding the mindset of an employee and more so the why as opposed to, you know, what's happening. Getting back to this person hasn't been to work in a week. Well, let's talk about the reason. And it it has to some something to do with what they're dealing with personally and and not being afraid to merge. A lot of people don't want to merge personal with work, but how can we not because I'm the one working and so it's just getting back to the root and the just the understanding what that employee is actually dealing with on a day-to-day basis outside of the job. And is the work that you're doing primarily with would you say the management to help them understand or the employees themselves or a mix of both?

It's so I have um different levels and it really depends on what the organization wants. Um we can do management, we can do employees. A lot of times when it's a retition issue, they want to work with the employees. Um I will always do a consultation so that I can kind of you know hint hint give my observations like if it's a retention thing we may need to work with the management. Um I love to do both because I think that's really the most effective way. Um but I offer a wide variety but normally once I come in and do the employees and they bring me back to do the management and vice versa because you can't be effective in one area and not be effective in the other. I like that that you do that and I I hope people are receptive. I know that's probably not always the case when you go go to a workplace and say, "No, no, no.

I'm taking a look at things first." But it's so important because obviously when we are like prescribing what we think what we think we need and whose issue it is, chances are it's not it's not always that. It's not so simple. So they're getting this professional who's really analyzing the situation and then figuring out a plan. Absolutely. Is most of your work would you say now? How would you say it's broken up the most with the different services that you offer as far as like what's way like what am I doing most of? Yeah, the workshops. The workshops. Yes, mostly the workshops. I'm starting to see more of a shift into the individual coaching and I want to say it's because I've changed the framework a little bit and I'm working more on the identity and the self-concept and people are seeing that and it's one thing where that's the kind of thing where they're afraid to do it in front of other people because it's a little personal.

So, it's workshops are very heavy on my case load, but I'm starting to see a shift in more individual coaching. That's such a good point that you make that with how it's following a path. It starts out and then people are see, you know, that it goes kind of in probably the trajectory that that you guessed that it would how things would progress, but that's the expert in you knowing that. And I kind of set it up that way because again, it's a very personal thing. um the the conversations that we have, the things that we talk about and it's not a it's not and I let people know a lot of times the observations that I do it's not just for the corporations and organizations like I don't go into anything without observing first um and also when I do individual it's not accepting everybody either there is an assessment that they have to take and if they don't fit the criteria then I won't work with them because it's not it's we're going to hit a wall either either they're not ready to do the work or they're in a space where there's just not enough information for me to be able to assess.

And so again, it's doing that for a while, I built it up to where even when I do workshops, a lot of people are filtering off and wanting to do the one-on-one coaching. And that's just how the framework was set up. Do you do work when you get um connected with like a workplace or organization? Do you do work with like employee assistance programs at all or do you get referrals from by word of mouth? So, I am working on the employee assistance um programs right now. I'm working on being able to actually get get contracts because right now it is all word of mouth, which I'm grateful for. Starting off in the school, I was able to make a lot of connections and so everything is word of mouth right now as far as the organizations and the the corporations go, but I am working on being able to get contracts and so kind of putting it out there more being able to once once I'm done with school, we'll go through insurance and and all of that.

So, I'm so curious how you see this going. I know it can always be a surprise. Things will throw a curveball. Um, but do you do you see see things for the organization progressing toward continuing to do tons of workshops? I know hopefully getting way more into the the corporate and all of that, but do you see in a year from now, do you have an idea of where you see the organization? Do you have people working with you? Yes. So, what I foresee in the future, the near future, is being able because I'm creating this framework and trying to turn it into get it trademarked so I can turn it into an actual framework that people can use, creating a certification process because I I do have a goal as far as how many people I'm wanting to reach and I know I can't do it all on my own. And so, I'm wanting to get other organizations certified in this particular framework.

And so just being able to outreach that way. Any idea what we're going to call it or is that hush hush right now? The framework it is hush hush right now. Once you come up with something, which I have a feeling you already did, I'll be so curious to know. So that'll be our part, too. Once we can find out the name and get certified in it and all the good stuff and and we dropped some hints. We we we've said some things that that tie into the name. Oh, I'm so excited for you. That's amazing. Thank you. Do you do you think the work with the kids will continue a lot? Where do you see that going for you? Absolutely. It has to. Um and and and that is mindblowing to me because like when people would ask me as far as like the question of the age group, like I never expected to work with children ever.

But working in the school system, I realized a lot as far as the the age group that kind of inspires me the most is middle school because I feel like that's where the identity starts to develop and that's where a lot of my research has been on identity and the brain developing and all of that. And so it ha it has to I think in order for me to continue to progress I have to be able to continue to work with children because I think that children are ever progressing and I won't be able to understand behaviors authentically because when you get to a certain age you are who you are. So Jasmine, a lot of what you're doing is seeming to have a really universal theme to it with what you're working on and what you're coining, especially in terms of trauma and how that's worked on and observed, especially perhaps with the stigma that might be associated or that we know is associated.

Is that true? Yes, absolutely. I think this is the perfect time. A lot of people are in a space where they're learning more about mental health and they want to know what that is. They're still afraid to kind of acknowledge their own trauma. But everybody has trauma, no matter how big, how small. And I want that to be the core essence of what I do is that everybody has trauma. And the trauma that you've experienced has shaped your identity in some way, shape, or form. The only way to continue being the best person you can be is figuring out what changed about your behavior. what changed about your identity because of the trauma. And so that's what we discuss. That's what we talk about. That's what the framework is. And it can apply to any and everybody. That universal part of the whole thing just keeps keeps rearing its head that and that's really comforting to people.

Maybe I'm just speaking for myself, but to think that there could be something out there that I could learn about and apply to different things That is so less exhausting, right, in theory to like the lay person like me, right? Right. It takes the pressure off of do I have to learn something new and then pivot it to apply to everything. Exactly. Because all it is is you're relearning who you are. This has been so interesting. I'm really I could not be rooting for you more. Thank you. I'm sure you have your fan base already, but please add one more to it and then add everyone who's going to listen to this and want to know more about what you're doing because that's going to be I want to know so much more about what you're doing. So, I can only imagine how much interest you're going to spark out there.

I'm excited. I'm going to make sure that I link your website at the end here and then let me know anything else that where people can reach you if that's okay with you. Absolutely. different resources that that you might know of. Thank you so much for being here. We will absolutely be in contact again. I always joke to some podcast guests, well now you're stuck with me, you know, now you've spent this time with me. We're we're bonded. Yeah. Noted to it. Had to throw that in there. Right. Thank you so much, Jasmine. I will um I will talk to you soon. I'm so excited about what's to come. Thank you. I appreciate you having me. Thanks. so much. Talk to you