Conflict and Healing Lecture Series
Part One: The Psychology of Trauma
with Dr. Judy Jacobs
Conflict and Healing Lecture Series:
As part of The War Memorial’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, this two-part series explores the impact of trauma and the journey toward resilience. Led by professor, Dr. Judy Jacobs, the talks—The Psychology of Trauma and Managing the Stressors of the Day—offer insights and tools for anyone seeking to understand and support healing. While active military, veterans, first responders, and their families are especially encouraged to attend, these sessions are open to and valuable for all members of the community.
The Psychology of Trauma
During our daily lives, we all experience “acute stress” for various reasons which may cause our defense responses to jump into action. However, our bodies will recover swiftly once the perceived cause of the stressor has passed. Traumatic Stress is a more severe bodily reaction caused by incidents (i.e., war, severe accidents, assaults, workplace violence, etc.) in which the person experiences or witnesses actual threatened death or serious injury to self or others.
Topics that Dr. Jacobs will cover in this lecture include:
The types of stressors leading to traumatic stress
The characteristics of a traumatic event
The effects of traumatic stress on the body and relationships
Dealing with the effects of a traumatic event, i.e., taking care of oneself
This series is co-developed by:
Bob Rabe—Vietnam Veteran (military police), with 38 years of law enforcement experience. He has been involved in Critical Incident Stress Management for over 20 years.
About Dr. Judy Jacobs
Dr. Judy Jacobs, PhD, RN, LPC, is a highly respected expert in trauma psychology, crisis intervention, and workplace violence prevention, bringing decades of experience as a nurse, counselor, and educator to her work. With a strong background in clinical and crisis care, Dr. Jacobs has dedicated her career to understanding and addressing the psychological effects of trauma on individuals and organizations.
Her expertise includes designing and delivering critical incident stress debriefing programs, implementing workplace violence prevention strategies, and supporting team resilience in high-stress environments. Dr. Jacobs has also played a pivotal role in developing and managing employee development programs, providing corporate coaching, and conducting research on trauma and recovery.
As an educator, Dr. Jacobs has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in counseling, crisis management, and trauma-informed care, shaping future practitioners with her evidence-based approach. Her scholarly contributions include research publications and presentations on trauma psychology, team development, and career growth.
Dr. Jacobs’ compassionate approach and extensive knowledge have made her a sought-after speaker and consultant. She is committed to empowering individuals and organizations to navigate challenges, foster resilience, and promote mental health in times of crisis.
As part of The War Memorial’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, this two-part series explores the impact of trauma and the journey toward resilience
