How Trauma Affects the Brain - Dr. Bernard Franklin

Dr. Bernard Franklin has taught courses, led workshops and consulted on “Trauma, Resilience and Neuroscience ” and is a member of Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative.  His  final research  paper was entitled: Trauma-Informed  Teaching  and Learning:  Brain Science Informing Education Reform.   In addition, Franklin has trained with the Trauma Recovery Associates, Healing the Mind, Body, & Spirit:  A Therapeutic Response to Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse and Neglect.  Franklin has an MS in Counseling and Behavioral Studies (1989, University of South Alabama), and a Ph.D. in Counseling and Higher Education Administration, with an outside emphasis in Family Studies (1996, K-State).

Franklin became involved in the space of trauma, resilience, social/emotional learning, and neuroscience following the death of his mother in 2003, his wife in 2004, and his younger brother 3 years later.  Of his four children, three sons and a daughter, his daughter experienced significant trauma following her mother’s death, and the chaos and pain from the loss of the other family members as well.  

Dr. Franklin is president of his own consulting company, The Center for Imagineering Leadership.  Through innovative programs including resilience training, the CIL strives to empower and transform the mind, body and  spirit  of  individuals,  families,  and  organizations  living  with  and  coping  with  toxic  stress  and trauma.  

“I guess you can say that I am an ‘Imagineer’. I believe if you can get people to imagine their future, you can help them climb the ladder to that picture of success. We move towards what we see and what we believe for ourselves. Some of my gifts are to help people imagine or see their worth, potential, and future then inspire them to pick themselves up from where they are and get them moving.”

He is nationally recognized as a passionate advocate for children and youth who come from  hard  places.   Born  the oldest  of  7  in  abject  poverty  to  parents  who were  sharecroppers  picking  cotton in  central Oklahoma,  Franklin  rose to  be  elected  student  body  president  as  an  undergraduate  at  Kansas  State University.  Dr. Franklin has advised and worked with undergraduate men’s fraternities and other male organizations for over 25 years. Currently, he is a faculty member of the Center for Leadership Development, sponsors of the annual National Student Leadership Conference in St. Louis. Franklin was twice honored one of the 100 Most Influential African Americans in Kansas City (1998, 2009).  Dr. Franklin  is  a  professional  member  and  currently  in  training  with  the  Somatic  Experiencing  Trauma  Institute (Boulder, CO).