Author Event! Ernest Ellender

Ernest Ellender, PhD, will discuss his new book titled This Is How We Heal from Painful Childhoods, at 7 p.m., Monday, May 4, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie. This event is free of charge and open to the public. 

Ellender says that painful childhoods naturally result in many sticky obstacles to adult success, ranging from distrust in others to self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviors. During prolonged periods of chronic family stress (intergenerational trauma), a young brain creates deeply ingrained physical and mental habits to survive childhood.

“Unfortunately, these habits work against generational trauma survivors in adulthood and can even result in diagnoses like depression, bipolar, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD),” he says. “These perfectly normal reactions to childhood stress do not automatically go away when you grow up! Healing childhood trauma is challenging but possible.”

Childhood and family struggles leave a series of confusing obstacles to navigate along the path to adult health, connectivity, and happiness.

Ellender has worked with intergenerational trauma survivors in various roles since the 1990s, during which time he earned a doctorate in clinical psychology (2007) and developed his 20-Rules curriculum that his clients have used to reduce chaos in their lives, develop competence in addressing rough obstacles, and achieve their personal life and relationship goals.

Ernest Ellender worked in the fields of psychology, life coaching, and martial arts for more than 25 years before authoring his first book, This Is How We Heal From Painful Childhoods. He says his advanced martial arts training (BJJ black belt) combined with his doctorate in clinical psychology produce an empowering skills-building curriculum which he delivered to local clients in south Louisiana.

For more information regarding this event, contact Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming for the library, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.