Stephen J. Terrell, PsyD, SEP
A Powerful Teacher, Healer, and Author of Developmental Trauma
Terrell is a leading expert in the field of Developmental Trauma and Adoption and is recognized around the world for his work in Developmental Trauma and Healing. He understands Developmental Trauma from the inside out and the outside in. Terrell has performed more than 25,000 individual Transforming Touch® sessions and taught thousands of students from around the world in the art of Transforming Touch® as it relates to healing Developmental Trauma.
It was his experience as a clinician and single parent of two adopted sons, along with his understanding of the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) study- a highly recognized study on Developmental Trauma, that Terrell came to the realization that there needed to be a way to reach non-verbal, or early developmental trauma, without spoken language. Out of this realization he developed Transforming Touch® and a training program designed for understanding and healing developmental trauma: “Transforming the Experience-Based Brain: A Regulation-Based Approach to Working Developmental Trauma”.
“Transforming the Experience-Based Brain” training program is offered across the US and internationally. Students come from all walks of life to learn about Developmental Trauma through a new lens. This new lens includes working with primitive reflexes, learning the language of early trauma, working with physiological regulation, understanding the neuro sequential development of the brain, working with survival parts, understanding attachment in the somatic relationship, and more.
Terrell is also the co-developer of another Developmental Trauma training program with Kathy Kain: “Somatic Resilience and Regulation”. This training program is a combination of both of their years of experience as clinicians in the field of Developmental Trauma. Like Transforming the Experienced-Based Brain, it is targeted at those working with Developmental Trauma, but for clinicians seeking both a deepening and broadening of their developmental trauma understanding beyond Touch Skills for Trauma (Kathy Kain) and Transforming the Experienced-Based Brain. The program, which has been highly successful with ongoing wait lists, led to the writing of their book: “Nurturing Resilience: Helping Clients Move Forward from Developmental Trauma”.
Terrell’s background and training began with a Rogerian Approach which involves active listening skills. He continues to incorporate this approach in his work in addition to his training in Somatic Experiencing®, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Touch Training for Therapists, Didactic Developmental Psychotherapy, and EMDR for Adopted Children. Terrell combines all his training experiences to see the client holistically (Mind, Body, Psychologically, and Spiritually).
In addition, to being a Healer, Teacher, and Author, Terrell sees clients at Austin Attachment and Counseling Center in Austin, Texas. He founded this center over 20 years ago for the treatment of Developmental Trauma and Adoption related issues. Terrell sees clients under his license as a professional counselor in Texas. This license was granted after receiving his Master’s Degree in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and meeting all requirements by the State of Texas. In 2002, Terrell attended California Coast University and completed his Doctorate in Psychology, further deepening his knowledge and understanding of developmental trauma.
ELLEN M. KEATING, PsyD, SEP
Somatic Healer and Trauma Therapist
Ellen Keating is a licensed psychologist in Wheaton, IL, who works with Developmental Trauma and Transforming Touch. She originally trained in emotion-focused therapy and noticed how clients would go from accessing deeper emotions directly into their traumas. Thus, she became interested in the healing of trauma. She explored Gestalt therapy, focusing, EMDR, and working with parts of the self. Ultimately, she discovered somatic healing and saw the power of touch for the healing of trauma. In particular, when she began to work with Transforming Touch, she noticed that her clients came into even greater possibility for healing, resolving trauma, and having a full and satisfying life. This developed into her belief that through attunement, attachment, and regulation, even the “oldest” wounds can be helped and healed.
Keating believes that Transforming Touch has a profound effect on regulation and healing because of its emphasis on attunement and safety. Trauma, and especially Developmental Trauma, cause the system to become dysregulated and rigid. This causes Developmental Trauma survivors to rely on maladaptive patterns in order to survive. In addition, adversity, illness, and later traumas may further disorganize the system. Through the use of Transforming Touch, she has seen how systems can begin to regulate in such a way that adaptive choices become possible and intrinsically welcomed. Clients who were once “stuck” became able to move, and choose, and live more satisfying lives. Keating has successfully applied Transforming Touch to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Addictions, Anxiety, Mood Disorders and Relational Distress.
Keating is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Her training includes:
Certification in Client-Centered and Emotion-Focused Therapy
Addiction and Addictive Behavior Training
Extensive Training in EMDR
Somatic Experiencing Training (SEP)
Touch Skills Training for Trauma Therapists (TST)
Somatic Resilience and Regulation (SRR)
Transforming the Experience Based Brain (TEB)
Keating is a lead assistant for the Transforming the Experience-Based Brain trainings and does extensive consultations for touch therapists. She has conducted thousands of Transforming Touch sessions with clients and believes wholeheartedly in the power of this healing work.
Keating is a member of APA (American Psychological Association), IPA (Illinois Psychologists Association), APPAH (Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health), USABP (United States Association for Body Psychotherapy). She presented “Somatic Resilience and Regulation: Recovery after Developmental Trauma” at the APPPAH International Congress in November 2019, and on “Ethics and Touch in Therapy” in Chicago in 2018.
Ann Chan, PsyD, SEP
Counselor, LCPC, LCSW
Welcome Ann Chan to our teaching staff. It is with much pleasure that I announce that Ann will be offering modified Experiential groups in Champaign, IL, and South Florida. I am finding that as our TEB family grows, the need for additional support becomes more clear. I have known Ann for many years and her vast knowledge and experience will be a welcomed addition to our teaching team! Welcome Ann!
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