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“As the leader of a national network of in-school providers working with students most impacted by trauma and systemic barriers, I find the TICR framework both affirming and actionable. Pickens bridges clinical insight and lived experience, offering tools that honor the humanity and resilience of our students while challenging schools to remove obstacles to their success. This book is not just theory—it’s a roadmap for building school cultures where every student is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.”

—Rey Saldaña, President and CEO, Communities In Schools


“Pickens has given us an exceptionally valuable and comprehensive guide that distills years of hard-won lessons advancing evidence-based, trauma-informed care in schools. His leadership of critical initiatives at the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress and in juvenile justice has meaningfully furthered the field, and this book carries forward that same vision and clarity. What makes this work stand apart is the deep respect Pickens brings to the voices of school personnel, families, and students—his approach is rooted in listening with compassion and learning through genuine collaboration with school communities. This timely, transformative book represents a major contribution to the movement for trauma-informed and culturally responsive systems, and is a 'must read' for educators and leaders committed to change.”

—Robert S. Pynoos, MD, MPH, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences (Emeritus), University of California, Los Angeles; Founding Co-Director, UCLA–Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress


“A timely and practical resource that brings TICR practices to life for educators. What sets this book apart is its use of authentic stories that illuminate the real challenges and possibilities within schools, paired with active learning strategies that invite readers to reflect and practice along the way. Clear implementation checklists transform complex concepts into doable steps, making the content highly accessible for school leaders and classroom educators alike. This is a book that both inspires and equips schools to take meaningful action.”

—Stacy Overstreet, PhD, Department of Psychology, Tulane University; Senior Advisor, Coalition for Compassionate Schools


“This book offers an integrative TICR framework that is both evidence based and deeply humanizing. Pickens translates complex psychological and educational principles into accessible, actionable strategies that help the school system see and support the whole child while cultivating staff wellness and compassion. By illuminating the intersections of trauma, equity, and belonging, this book equips educators and mental health professionals alike to transform understanding into sustainable change within schools.”

—Farzana T. Adjah, PhD, Graduate School of Education, Stanford University


“Pickens has contributed greatly to our understanding of how to support the trauma-impacted students and families we serve, most of whom live in unsafe neighborhoods with the stress of chronic housing and food insecurity. This book gives schools a comprehensive system for supporting students suffering from trauma, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in the healing process. A ‘must read.’”

—Bill Milliken, Founder and Vice Chair, Communities In Schools


“Excavating trauma and culture in a way that will help anyone working with youth of color, this book offers guidance that is easy to read, digest, understand, and implement. From a pedagogical standpoint, Pickens covers all the bases, providing definitions, vignettes, inquiry, and application. But he doesn't stop there—he asks us to interrogate ourselves, our practices, and our educational systems to ensure we can actually walk away from the book better. As a former elementary school educator and current therapist for adolescents, I highly recommend this book for all educators responsible for teaching (and learning from!) these amazing students every day.”

—Riana Elyse Anderson, PhD, School of Social Work, Columbia University

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About the Author

Isaiah B. Pickens, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and organizational development specialist whose career is dedicated to strengthening people and systems. He is a former Assistant Director for Service Systems at the UCLA–Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress and a former Clinical Assistant Professor at New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Pickens is well known as a trauma expert and specialist in creating emotionally intelligent school cultures. He is certified by Stanford University as a Compassion Specialist and is a recipient of the Early Career Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association, among other honors. Dr. Pickens is founder and CEO of iOpening Enterprises.

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Audience

School psychologists, counselors, nurses, and social workers; classroom teachers; school- and district-level educators and administrators.