The quickest and most effective way I know to make your brain happier is

to incorporate what I call “3 branches of a tree:”

1. Learning Social Neuroscience, where you understand your brain and how it connects with other brains.

2. Being in warm community at least once a week, where you learn to turn toward others and yourself with warmth and care.

3. Family constellation work (link to Constellations page here), a process that reveals insights from historical influences that unconsciously shape your behavior and relationships.

In each Happy Brain series, there is one constellation day, and no prior experience is necessary.

Each 6 or 8-week series is a little different. There’s no prerequisite, and you are welcome just as you are. You can set an intention for yourself and each week I teach a segment of neuroscience that you apply to your intention. There’s always interactive dialogue, with demonstrations and practical application of relational neuroscience. Small group work gives you time for deep personal reflection with a partner, with a chance to practice what you’re learning within community support.

If, like me, you didn’t grow up in an emotionally nurturing environment, there’s encouraging news about our brain’s neuroplasticity, and studying social neuroscience can help. You will learn how your brain relates to other brains. You’ll delve into:

• Cultivating an internalized, supportive presence that widens the pathways to the part of your brain that calms your inner critic, eases emotional pain, and prevents reactivity.

• Examining old patterns of believing, thinking, and behaving, and noticing how they shift as you practice speaking the language of resonance

• Exploring methods that soothe your nervous system, fostering emotional resilience, enhancing self-connection, and promoting flexibility in your interactions with others.

This not only makes us more enjoyable company, this is an integrated brain, the foundation of wellbeing.

In Happy Brain groups we turn towards others and ourselves with warm curiosity, and listen deeply without needing to fix, rescue or offer advice. My intention is to create a safe emotional container where you feel welcome to share your vulnerable truths. We practice radical consent, speaking only of someone else’s experience with permission.

This group is interactive, emphasizing practical application of social neuroscience to making your brain a happier place to live. You are welcome to participate at whatever level feels right for you. Readings and interactive activities are optional. 

Drop in to the weekly free Warm Bath Resonance hour to receive support, and also connect with others throughout the week to practice resonance skills.

I host Happy Brain groups because I genuinely enjoy helping people make their brains a happier place to live. 

I’ve studied social neuroscience with Sarah Peyton since 2010, and the most fun and fulfilling part for me has been to watch my own brain become regulated as I guide others.

Regulated brains are calmer, with more equanimity. They are also more organically empathic and less reactive. Here is a tiny part of a long list of what I call my “Brain Change Notifications” – upgrades in my brain that I am consciously aware of:

• the most joyful change has been my greatly increased capacity to accept and love others and myself.

• when someone says something critical or mean, I can more easily calm my nervous system.

• I am more connected to my body my self-critic is no longer driving the bus.

• I’m not compelled to judge or always be right, so I’m more fun to be around.

• I can now reach out for support, no longer believing I have to do it all on my own.

• When I say or do something I regret, I can often forgive myself immediately.

The foundation of resonance is approaching communication with warm curiosity, and holding the intention to connect and understand.  

Resonant language relies on enquiry: asking, not telling. It’s deep listening, rather than waiting for our turn to speak or offer unsolicited advice or opinions. Resonance tunes in and seeks targeted enquiry because our nervous system relaxes when asked just the right question with genuine warmth and care. 

Resonance helps our nervous system recover from trauma. We gain greater emotional flexibility and regulation, which brings us more stability during times of stress. Practicing resonance skills supports authentic self- expression and honors our universal human needs to matter, understand, and be understood.