I recently had the sincere pleasure of connecting with, and being a featured guest of Jené Sena’s and Trisha Sena’s podcast: “Sisterhood of the Survivors.” I’d like to encourage you to listen to this thought provoking and heart wrenching podcast.
The episode looked at “Mom Shaming and Victim Blaming.”
“There seems to be a trend in our society today in which people feel more comfortable blaming the victim and in Trisha’s case, shaming her as a ‘bad mom’ because her child was abducted. We discuss the ramifications of this on victims/survivors and their families and how it deters other victims from coming forward, with renowned trauma specialist and author Dr. Asa Don Brown
When the unthinkable happens to someone you love, you do the only thing you know how to do and band together as a family to push through the trauma.
Jené Sena, a veteran journalist, author, and women’s advocate, and Trisha Sena, a corporate executive in the food services industry, are sisters-in-law who were thrust into the national spotlight in October of 2023 when one of their children was abducted from a family camping trip. That led to a 47-hour search that gripped the nation, and ultimately ended with a ransom note and dramatic rescue.
They understand that their outcome is not what every family gets, and they have set out on a mission to advocate for other victims, survivors, and their families.
Sisterhood of the Survivors will share their personal stories as they heal from this traumatic event in its aftermath, as well as the stories of others.”
Dr. Asa Don Brown is an author, speaker, consultant, and psychologist. He has a Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology. He has worked as a clinician in Canada and the United States. He is a prolific author having been published in a variety of professional and popular journals, magazines, and online columns including Psychology Today, Psychiatric Times; Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association; The Sober World; just to name a few. Dr. Brown has published the following books: Interpersonal Skills in the Workplace, Finding Solutions that Work, 2016; Waiting to Live, 2010 and The Effects of Childhood Trauma on Adult Perception and Worldview, 2008.
Dr. Asa Don Brown’s books and lectures have transformed the minds of his readers and audiences around the world. He has worked as a consultation, advocate, and business facilitator in Canada and the United States. Dr. Brown has held university faculty positions teaching incoming freshmen to those completing their graduate work. He has taught psychology; early child development; paramilitary / military; clinical studies; and worked with graduate students at various levels.
He has served a variety of professional boards including: The Magic Paintbrush; Washington State Counseling Association, WCA; Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, CCPA; Brain Technology & Neuroscience Research Centre, BTNRC, The Society for the Arts in Dementia Care; American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, AAETS; The National Center for Crisis Management, NCCM; and a number of others. He has consulted various forms of government; social service agencies; legal practices; educational institutions; medical practices; religious organizations; and others in the field of psychology and psychiatry. He regularly consults and engages businesses and business leaders on topics that directly affect their fields. He has had the privilege of being interviewed and a guest of a variety of television, radio, magazine, and newspaper columns.
As a volunteer, Dr. Brown is continuously seeking new ways to challenge his person. He regularly trains as a New York State Volunteer Firefighter. He truly enjoys the challenge of learning a new academic perspective and the rigorous challenge of being a firefighter.
Most of all, Asa loves being a father and a husband. He relishes in the time that he has to spend with his family.
Dr. Brown has a passion for cooking. It is not uncommon for Asa to experiment on his family and friends with new recipes and recipe concepts. He really enjoys spending time with his children in the kitchen teaching and exploring with them the art of cooking. As a clinician, he has frequently recommended cooking as a therapeutic approach to solace, solitude, and comfort. The atmosphere of Asa’s kitchen is a place of calmness, cheer, and capable of rejuvenating the inner-person.
The Effects of Childhood Trauma 