The Hopeful Brain: Relational Repair for Disconnected Children and Youth teaches brain-based strategies that are practical, effective and supportive of youth. The authors provide a common-sense look at modern neuroscience and its application to positive youth development, psychology and educational support. Baker and White-McMahon take on the often daunting world of complex neuroscience and provide readers with practical strategies that are easy to use and apply across a variety of settings.

This e-book explores the importance of using strength-based interventions and creating structured opportunities to “reimburse” troubled children and youth with positive experiences that teach and transform. A comprehensive brain-compatible approach to therapeutic transformation is presented that incorporates critical aspects that impact brain development such as:

Neuroplasticity Positive and Negative Stress Relational Trauma Social Connectedness Mirror Neurons Culture Self-Regulation

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the clinician will be able to:

• Explain the basic neurorelational connections between behavior and brain function
• Apply general concepts of neuroplasticity and its relationship to hope and behavioral change
• Identify the importance of people as “therapeutic helpers” in facilitating positive growth
• Describe the impact of experiences, both good and bad, on brain and body development
• Demonstrate how the six types of neurorelational reimbursements are critical to transformation
• Implement supportive therapeutic strategies that promote resiliency

Syllabus / Course Instructions

• This course is suitable for CE for beginning, intermediate and advanced level clinicians.
• The Course consists of reading the selected book, successfully completing an online posttest and filling out a course evaluation.
• The eBook is not included in the price of the course. It must be purchased separately. We have supplied a link to Amazon.com for your convenience.
• Purchasing your course will give you access to both a printable copy of the test and an online version of the test. Print the test to use as a companion as you read the book and answer the questions.
• You cannot exit the online test once you begin, so have your answers available.

Additional Resources On This Site for CE

• The Gift of Therapy
  by Irvin Yalom: 10 CE Credits
• Getting Over OCD: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life
  Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD: 12 CE Credits
• The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know (2nd Edition)
  David J. Miklowitz, Ph.D.: 15 CE Credits
• Flourish: A New Understanding of Well-being
  by Martin E.P. Seligman: 13 CE Credits
• Boundaries: When to Say Yes and How to Say No
  by Henry Cloud and John Townsend: 12 CE Credits
• On Becoming a Better Therapist
  by Barry L. Duncan: 8 CE Credits

Additional Resources Not On This Site

• Dr. Meredith White-McMahon, Ed.D has contributed to the development of numerous scientific writings and textbooks currently used in the university setting. She also provides training and consultation services in crisis intervention and relational areas such as attachment, trauma, attention, depression, anxiety, and oppositional-defiance. She can be contacted at Meredith@DrMWhiteMcMahon.com
• Paul W Baker, Ph.D is the developer of The PersonBrain Model™, a strength-based training program for working with challenging youth. Dr. Baker provides brain-based consultative services to schools, child and youth care facilities, juvenile justice programs, residential facilities, and professional groups. He may be contacted at paul.baker@personbrain.com

Bio: Meredith White-McMahon, EdD

Meredith White-McMahon, Ed.D is a veteran educator of at-risk children and youth. She has been teaching for 33 years at all levels K-12 as well as supervising University Masters level school counselor practicums. She currently lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.


Dr. White-McMahon has contributed to the development of numerous scientific writings and textbooks currently used in the university setting. In 2011 she co-authored The Hopeful Brain: Relational Repair for Disconnected Children and Youth that incorporates brain-based strategies that are practical, effective and supportive of youth. Her experience as an educator has earned her wide respect for innovative and positive supports in the transformation of challenging youth.

Dr. White-McMahon is a certified Response Abilities Pathways (RAP) trainer for Reclaiming Youth International, a Senior Trainer of The PersonBrain Model and a Senior LSCI Trainer for the Life Space Crisis Intervention Institute providing training to a wide audience. She also provides training and consultation services in crisis intervention and relational areas such as attachment, trauma, attention, depression, anxiety, and oppositional-defiance. She can be contacted at Meredith@DrMWhiteMcMahon.com.

Bio: Paul W. Baker, PhD

Paul W Baker, Ph.D is a developmental neuropsychologist who has worked with troubled children and youth for over twenty years. He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, USA and Newcastle, NSW, Australia. He has direct experience in working with troubled youth as a special education teacher, school administrator, clinical administrator, psychologist, foster parent and adoptive parent. Dr. Baker is the developer of The PersonBrain Model, a strength-based training program for working with challenging youth. The model incorporates brain-based strategies that are practical, effective and supportive of youth. Dr. Baker provides brain-based consultative services to schools, child and youth care facilities, juvenile justice programs, residential facilities, and professional groups. Paul is a regular contributor to professional development in the field of neuroscience and youth work and is a frequent speaker at international conferences. He may be contacted at paul.baker@personbrain.com