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The Deepest Well

Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity

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The Deepest Well

By: Dr Nadine Burke Harris
Narrated by: Dr Nadine Burke Harris
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About this listen

A pioneering physician reveals how childhood stress leads to lifelong health problems and what we can do to break the cycle.

When a young boy walked into Dr Nadine Burke Harris's clinic he looked healthy for a preschooler. But he was seven, and hadn't grown a centimetre since a traumatic event when he was four. At that moment Dr Burke Harris knew that her gut feeling about a connection between childhood stress and future ill health was more than just a hunch – and she began her journey into groundbreaking research with stunning results.

Two thirds of us have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience, from the likes of bereavement and divorce to abuse and neglect. In The Deepest Well Dr Burke Harris reveals the science behind childhood adversity and offers a new way of understanding the adverse events that affect us throughout our lifetime. Based on her own groundbreaking clinical work and public leadership, Dr Burke Harris shows us how we can disrupt this cycle through interventions that help retrain the brain and body, foster resilience, and help children, families, and adults live healthier, happier lives.

Like the classic Silent Spring, this book helps readers see a problem hiding in plain sight that impacts us all. By looking at the widespread crisis of childhood adversity through the objective lens of science and medicine, this book provides a roadmap for deeper understanding and change.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©Dr Nadine Burke Harris 2018 (P)2018 Simon & Schuster
Abuse Child Abuse Child Psychology Children's Health Developmental Psychology Divorce & Separation Dysfunctional Families Infants & Toddlers Parenting & Families Physical Illness & Disease Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Inspiring Feel Better Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

Offers a powerful - even indispensable - frame to both understand and respond more effectively to our most serious social ills. (David Bornstein, New York Times )
A heart-breaking, world-shaking, revolutionary book. The Deepest Well uncovers offers a new set of tools, based in science, that can help each of us heal ourselves, our children, and our world. (Paul Tough, author of New York Times Best Seller How Children Succeed)
Adverse childhood experiences are the single greatest unaddressed public health threat facing our nation today. (Dr Robert Block, former President of the American Academy of Pediatrics)
The Deepest Well is a rousing wake-up call, challenging us to re-imagine pressing questions of racial and social justice as matters of public health. The research and stories shared in this highly engaging, provocative book prove beyond a reasonable doubt that millions of lives depend on us finally coming to terms with the long-term consequences of childhood adversity and toxic stress. (Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow )
The Deepest Well is more than a riveting medical story - it’s a must-read guide for recognizing, understanding and treating a condition that many will find in our own homes. (BookPage )
This important and compassionate book further sounds the alarm over childhood trauma - and what can be done to remedy its effects. (Kirkus, starred review)
All stars
Most relevant
If you are doing ‘the work’ this is definitely worth adding to your list. Very insightful.

Best audiobook to date

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A must have for every person who wants to understand why they are how they are

A book to be read over and over again

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I can't praise this book enough. The science is clearly presented woven amongst countless stories. Loved the narration by Dr Burke as well. The passion and dedication for the topic clearly comes across.

A well of information delivered with clear passion

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I absolutely loved this book, as a psychotherapist it helped me look back into my clients childhood’s and make sense of who they have become as adults. I feel this book has also helped me engage with people differently. My engagement is more open and curious. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and making this an audiobook so that I can listen ‘on the go’.

Understanding ACE’s

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As a mental health nurse working with children this has been very informative within my practice

Fascinating work

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