In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Carol Chu‑Peralta, PhD., Founder & Clinical Director of the Center for Resiliency, to unpack the science and practice of bouncing back after trauma.

What We Discuss

• Resilience, defined: Not a personality trait, but a capacity to respond effectively to stress, and it can be developed.
• How to build it (especially in kids): Allow “life experiments” (small, everyday challenges) so children practice recovering and problem‑solving.
• Post‑traumatic growth: The shift from feeling stuck in symptoms to reclaiming agency and integrating new resources.
• Intergenerational transmission of trauma: How unaddressed trauma responses can pass behaviorally and biologically across generations, and how to interrupt the cycle.
• Trauma is subjective: Two people can face the same event and have different outcomes; it’s about whether the stressor exceeds one’s current capacity.
• A helpful analogy (STAIR‑NST): Two houses on the same shoreline, one on stilts, one on bricks, weather the same storm differently; foundations = internal resources.

Dr. Carol also shares her own path, from early trauma work to launching a group practice during the pandemic when requests for care surged. Her message to anyone who’s curious but hesitant: you don’t need a label to ask for help, and you don’t have to be in crisis to start.

About Our Guest

Dr. Carol Chu‑Peralta is a Clinical Psychologist and Founder of the Center for Resiliency, specializing in trauma, parenting, anxiety, depression, and neuro/psychological evaluation. Trained at NYU and Bellevue Hospital, she helps individuals and families break generational patterns and build durable emotional resilience.

Resources & Contact

• Center for Resiliency: centerforresiliency.com
• Hanley Foundation: hanleyfoundation.org | 844‑502‑4673

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. Rachel Docekal and Dr. John Dyben sit down with one of Florida’s most influential behavioral health leaders, Ann M. Berner, CEO and President of Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network (SEFBHN).

With over three decades of service to the community, Ann shares her remarkable journey. from working with the Department of Children and Families to helping pioneer Florida’s Managing Entity model. Today, she oversees $56 million in funding for substance use and mental health services across five counties: Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie.

• The evolution of Florida’s behavioral health system and the power of local control
• How SEFBHN provides care for 27,000+ individuals annually
• The crucial role of peer support specialists in inspiring hope
• What “validation” means when it comes to funding and accountability
• Ann’s leadership statewide and her deep commitment to community collaboration
• Why systems thinking, evidence-based care, and empathy are key to healing

With humility and passion, Ann reminds us that the most impactful leaders often work behind the scenes and that hope is never out of reach.

To learn more about Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network visit: https://sefbhn.org/

To learn more about Hanley Foundation visit: https://hanleyfoundation.org/

The holidays can be joyful, but for individuals in early recovery, they can also be filled with pressure, unfamiliar situations, and unexpected triggers. In this special Thanksgiving re-release, our hosts unpack practical, compassionate ways to navigate holiday gatherings, whether you’re newly sober, supporting someone in recovery, or simply wanting to create a more inclusive and mindful celebration.

Through candid conversation, humor, and real-life scenarios, this episode offers tools to help you show up with confidence, communicate your needs, and protect your sobriety during one of the most emotionally charged times of the year.