About Allison
Allison Edwards is child psychotherapist, speaker, affiliate professor in the Human Development Counseling department at Vanderbilt University and the author of five books: Why Smart Kids Worry, Worry Says What? , Marcy’s Having All the Feels , 15-Minute Counseling Techniques that Work: What You Didn't Learn in Grad School and Flooded: A Brain-Based Guide to Help Children Regulate Emotions. Allison received her graduate degree in Counseling from Vanderbilt University and is a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist. Allison has over 20 years experience working as a school teacher, school counselor, child/adolescent psychotherapist, and educational consultant to schools throughout the country.
Books
Flooded: A Brain-Based Guide to Help Children Regulate Emotions
When your brain perceives danger, your body and mind will go instantly into one of three modes-flight, fight, or freeze. Your heart races, your body tenses up, your hands shake, and your emotions take over rational thought.
You've entered The Flood Zone.
When children experience The Flood Zone, their behavior changes. They yell, bite, or run away. They withdraw and lose concentration. They blame and lie. In this state, children are unable to be rational, regulated, or otherwise compliant. Even the most motivated child (or adult) with the greatest coping strategies won't be able to identify or manage their emotions in The Flood Zone.
In Flooded, counselor and bestselling author, Allison Edwards explains how parents, teachers, and counselors can identify when children have entered The Flood Zone. She also offers suggestions for teaching children (and adults!) how to regain control of their emotions.
In this book, you'll get:
- An overview of how the brain interacts with emotions
- Understanding of the role of trauma in emotional health
- Explanation of why children can't respond rationally in stressful circumstances
- Techniques for teaching children how to regulate emotions
- Suggestions for setting up your classroom or office to improve emotional awareness
- Strategies for improving interactions with children at school and home
As educators, parents, and professionals, we need to teach children and teens how to identify their emotions, learn what triggers those feelings, and provide strategies to manage their feelings in a healthy way. This book explains how.
Reviews
"Allison Edwards has done it again. She is a fantastic resource for educators, counselors, and parents wanting to support their children in emotional regulation. Her goal is to “prepare kids to be able to manage internally what happens to them externally” and I agree. This books is a wonderful step in the right direction. It explains the flood zone. “When a child is in survival mode, they enter the Flood Zone. In this state, children are unable to be rational, regulated, and otherwise compliant”. Her examples are perfect- I’ve definitely met students like the ones in this book and I love how she offers reflection questions to deeper my practice and make a plan going forward! Parents- there are FANTASTIC tips in here too!"
- Zeba McGibbon
"Looking for a great book to read this summer? Look no further, “Flooded A Brain-Based Guide To Help Children Regulate Emotions” is going to be your favorite summer PD read! This book is a simple, to-the-point read that is perfect for all stakeholders and educators."
- Laura Filtness
"Flooded is a short, easy read with powerful information for anyone who works with youth. Teaching caregivers and educators about brain science, how to identify triggers, and to understand why children can't respond rationally when emotionally charged is a game changer for adults and children. This is an important resource for teaching our colleagues and student caregivers how to recognize "flooded" youth and to respond positively with the techniques students need to achieve emotional regulation. This book provides excellent reminders about how trauma impacts not only emotional regulation but learning as well. Allison also shares techniques to use for teaching flooded students how to regulate their emotions."
- Jeannie Maddox
15-Minute Techniques
#1 New Release in Counselor Education
#1 New Release in Behavioral Disorders
The counselor is not the strategy. The counselor teaches strategies.
This book provides practical, economical, easy-to-implement tools to use in individual or group counseling sessions with children grades K-12. It takes the counselor out of the "fix it" role and gives children agency over their own feelings and behaviors with developmentally appropriate tools that can be used in any setting. Children will learn how to calm their mind and body with Square Breathing, let go of negative thoughts by Changing the Channel, identify their unique gifts by creating a "What I'm Good At" Jar, and so much more. The techniques in this book will empower children to face current challenges and equip them to manage their stress and emotions for years to come.
Reviews
"WOW- This book is incredible! The techniques inside can be used with children, teens, adults, families, and groups! There is so much information that can be adapted and changed per your client's needs. I really even think this would be an asset on a school counselor cart! I personally have been enjoying the techniques for Telehealth sessions. I love this easy to read and use book. I hope that the author will consider writing a second one! 🙂 * You need this in your personal counselor tool kit!!!"
- Stephanie H.
"Allison has taken Dollar Store items like yarn, markers, paper plates, scissors, note cards, and play dough and used them to build a toolbox of techniques school counselors will reach for again and again. With practical, hands-on activities that don't take a lot of time or money, Allison helps school counselors take students at all levels, back to the basics and gets them in touch with what they are thinking and feeling. Often students leave with a physical reminder, whether a note card or a pinch pot, of a specific strategy to continue practicing at school or at home."
- Jeannie Maddox
"Counseling books can be heavy and when you want an idea or a new technique, you really don't have time to go through those heavy books--or they don't even have what you're looking for. What I really like and appreciate about this book is that you can open it up and find what you need. The ideas are easy to implement and the read through is quick. It's definitely a great addition to add to my counseling toolbox."
- Carol M.
Marcy’s Having All the Feels
Have a child who has trouble regulating emotions? A child who denies feelings or needs to have a greater understanding of how feelings affect behavior? Need help teaching the Zones of Regulation? This book is for you.
Marcy wanted to be happy. Happy is all she wanted to be. But all her other feelings kept showing up and at the worst times! She didn't want to feel angry or jealous. And she didn't like feeling sad or embarrassed. Then one day when Marcy's feelings disappear, she learns that her feelings don't have to control her, and they might even have a function. Maybe having all the feels might not be such a bad thing.
This book helps children accept ALL of their feelings and learn that feelings don't have to control them. It helps normalize unwanted feelings, learn how to regulate emotions and to go from debilitated to empowered.
Reviews
"Better than Inside Out! I loved this book; absolutely loved and adored it. Allison Edwards’ Marcy’s Having all the Feels did the thing that not a lot of author’s are gifted with and created a realistic children’s story that focuses on feelings and feeling too much and how to deal with all of these wayward emotions for children AND adults!"
- DANI
"This is how you write this topic!! All the applause, seriously. Marcy's Having All the Feels by Allison Edwards is the perfect book to help explain all these different, wild emotions that we have on a daily basis. Kids need to understand that it's okay to have these feelings, that they are normal and be able to begin expressing them properly. I think the book does a great job of introducing and defining these terms in a way that is easy to understand. A+"
- Ellen
"I absolutely love this book! I am a district specialist for behavior (K-12) and this book is a wonderful tool for whole group, small group or individual sessions that focus on social and emotional learning. Many students struggle with identifying feelings/emotions and how to cope. How many times have you heard a student say : "I am bad."???? Too many too count. I think this book is a great way to introduce that having feelings are OK even if they produce uncomfortable thoughts, behaviors but it is what we do with those feelings that matter. I highly recommend this for grades K-6th. If you teach Zones of Regulation this is a great supplemental book to reinforce emotional vocabulary."
- Shannon Dobson
Worry Says What?
Mom's Choice Award Winner
#1 New Release in Crisis Management Counseling
"Worry's songs tie my tummy up in knots, and the things he says make my heart beat very fast.
Sometimes he speaks in a whisper, and other times
his voice gets so loud I can't hear anything else."
This book teaches children how to manage worry and anxiety in a concrete, kid-friendly way. It shows Worry as a furry monster who tells the main character what she can't do and what she isn't capable of. Throughout the story, the main character develops confidence and finds her voice to talk back to Worry. When she does, she notices Worry gets smaller and smaller. At the end of the story, it normalizes that Worry never goes away for good but that next time she will be prepared!
Reviews
"Love! As a school counselor, I’m using this book several times a week! I use it for guidance lessons, small groups & in one-on-ones! Lends itself to conversations about growth mindset & positive self-talk!"
- Lou Perry.
"This book is wonderful! It helped my 5 year old to understand and make some light of her blooming anxiety. I (mom) live with generalized anxiety disorder, and WISH this book had been available or visible for me! I recognized the signs in her (I can't sleep/my tummy hurts) - and the little girl in this book reflects that. It's relatable and cute. She now enjoys talking back at her worry monster! Highly recommended."
- Dana Robertson
"My daughter suffers from anxiety issues. I also have a student who suffers from anxiety. I bought this book for both of them and was thrilled that it includes gymnastics! I am a gymnastics coach, so the book is perfect! This gives children concrete ways to help deal with anxiety issues."
- Cynthia S.
Why Smart Kids Worry
Starred Review in Publishers Weekly
Being the parent of a smart child is great until your son or daughter starts asking whether global warming is real, if you are going to die, and what will happen if they don't get into college. Kids who are advanced intellectually often experience fears beyond their years. And parents are left asking, why does my child worry so much?
This practical resource guides you through the mental and emotional process of where your child's fears come from and why they are so hard to move past. For emotionally intelligent, observant, and inquisitive children who want to overcome anxiety, and for parents looking for a kid-friendly toolkit, Why Smart Kids Worry is the perfect resource that gives answers to questions such as:
- How do smart kids think differently
- What is the root of my child's anxiety and how can we overcome it?
- Should I let my child watch the nightly news on TV?
- How do I answer questions about terrorists, hurricanes, and other scary subjects?
These fifteen specially designed tools help smart kids manage their fears, anxieties, and become more worry-free.
Reviews
"As a psychologist who works with children, I can honestly say this will be one book I will be adding to my borrowing library for parents to read. I have already recommended it to several of the families I am currently working with. Well worth a read for parents as well as professionals."
- Kerry Marsh.
"Therapist Edwards brings profound insight into the minds of gifted, anxious children in this parent-friendly handbook...Fifteen tools for parents and children to use together offer practical approaches to teaching coping skills and emotional competence, and will work well for any child with anxiety. Parents will be comforted by Edwards's analysis, which frames children's worrying as a manageable challenge."
- Publishers Weekly
"This is an excellent resource and I can't recommend it highly enough. Our youngest child was extremely anxious and I am delighted to say that I can now use the past tense when talking about this. I was able to use several of the strategies recommended as I understood why they would be helpful and how to do it. I'm not suggesting that I think he'll never worry again, but when he does I feel like I have the tools to help him work through it now."
- Gingham Ribbon - UK
