Dr. Pamela J. Pine, PhD, MPH, MAIA, RCHES
Helping leaders understand how stress and adversity shape behavior, and respond well
Dr. Pine is a global public-health expert who gives organizations a practical framework for recognizing stress-driven behavior, preventing unnecessary escalation and helping people communicate and perform at their best, without diagnosing, shaming or asking anyone to disclose personal trauma.
Childhood experiences do not stay in childhood
They influence how adults respond to stress, authority, conflict, change and one another. That shows up in your organization as conflict, burnout, difficult interactions, turnover, escalations and missed connections with the people you serve.
As a trauma-informed keynote speaker and ACEs speaker, Dr. Pine draws on 25+ years of work on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), toxic stress and trauma-informed practice. Your team leaves with what to do differently on Monday.
Trauma-aware leadership is not about identifying who has experienced trauma. It is about designing communication, policies and responses that work better for everyone.
A framework your people will actually use
Every program ends with a four-step response your staff can apply in the moment.
Pause
Notice a stress response before reacting to it, in yourself and in the other person.
Interpret
Ask what may be driving the behavior, without guessing at anyone's history.
Respond
Use communication that lowers the temperature while keeping standards and boundaries.
Refer
Know when and where to connect someone to the right support, and stay in your role.
Two signature trauma-informed training programs
When the Past Shows Up at Work
For healthcare, human services and public-facing professionals. How stress and adversity shape communication, conflict, trust and performance, and how leaders and staff can respond effectively.
When Behavior Is a Signal
For educators and child-serving organizations. Child safety and adversity-responsive practice: understanding what drives behavior, responding without lowering standards, and building safer systems.
Each is available as a keynote, a 90-minute training or a half-day implementation workshop. See all programs and formats.
Who brings Dr. Pine in
Healthcare systems and associations
Trauma-informed training for healthcare teams: help clinicians and staff recognize when stress responses are interfering with communication, treatment adherence and trust, while protecting professional boundaries.
Social services, child welfare and justice
Move staff from "What is wrong with this person?" to "What may be driving this response, and what can we do next?"
Education
Understand the adversity beneath disruptive, withdrawn or inconsistent behavior, and respond without excusing harmful conduct.
Public-facing and high-stress professions
Give public-facing professionals a better way to recognize stress responses, maintain boundaries and prevent avoidable escalation.
HR and leadership
Practical, professionally bounded tools that improve communication, conflict response and retention, without asking anyone to disclose personal history.
Why organizations trust Dr. Pine
- 30+ years of international experience
- In public health and development, including 25+ years focused on child trauma, CSA prevention and ACEs.
- PhD in health education, MPH
- PhD, University of Maryland, College Park; MPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; plus an MA in international affairs from Ohio University.
- Work in more than 30 countries
- Training and program work with governments, NGOs and professional groups.
- Director, Stop the Silence®
- A department of the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT).
Learn more: About Dr. Pine · Books · Media appearances · Blog · Awards
What participants and colleagues say
"Dr. Pamela J. Pine's work includes significant achievements in the areas of outreach, education, fundraising, and advocacy. She has pioneered several programs that directly reach young and vulnerable people. She educates groups from all corners of the professional spectrum nationally and internationally."
"Participating in the Post Graduate Certification in Child Protection [designed and presented by Dr. Pamela J. Pine]... has been an extremely valuable experience both personally and professionally. As a domestic violence and sexual assault program manager and credentialed victim advocate, the cohort strengthened my understanding of how adverse childhood experiences affect trauma, behavior, health, and relationships across the lifespan. It gave me greater insight into the realities many survivors face and reinforced the importance of trauma-informed, compassionate, and survivor-centered practice. The [involvement] also benefited my community by helping me carry forward a stronger trauma-informed perspective. Through this learning, I am better prepared to promote healing, resilience, and collaboration with other professionals and community partners. Overall, the Child Protection Cohort was a meaningful and enriching opportunity that strengthened my practice, affirmed the importance of trauma-informed care, and supported my commitment to serving survivors and communities with greater understanding and compassion."
"I have learned SO MUCH! In one of the sessions that you gave, Pam, it was as if you were talking to me! You said, 'We have to reach the whole community and if you are doing this, you're doing the right thing!' I really needed to hear that! This Program is one of the highlights of my year. I am happy to be a part of this."
Bring Dr. Pine to your organization
Tell us about your audience and the challenge you're facing, and you'll get a recommended program and availability.