What People Have to Say

Don't take our word ...here's what our clients and students have to say

Dr. Donielle Prince

ACES Connection, Regional Community Facilitator

San Francisco, Bay Area

Susan takes her expertise in human development and instead of simply training staff (which she does masterfully) or doing interventions with individuals, she transfers that expertise to others, who learn that a different set of behaviors can get their needs met while learning you can develop these skills, and draw on concrete tools, that help build strong relationships with colleagues, staff, students and families. I've seen Susan present to community groups and at conferences. In both settings, Susan manages to send people home with a new, internal toolkit, the ability to generate new ideas grounded in the knowledge of human development, the impacts of trauma on the body and behavior, and on the ways that resilience shifts these dynamics. When knowledge is transferred in this way, participants develop the confidence to try out new strategies, right away, in any environment.

Sarah Brooke Stiles

LCSW Clinical Therapist Mind Body Integrative

Former ASW, PPSC, Social Worker, MTSS Team,

San Juan Unified School District

"Susan will humbly challenge you, not just by her words but through her personhood. Yes, it is true, there are hundreds of different trainings about trauma and countless trainers; trauma is a hot topic nowadays and rightfully so, as it permeates the seams of society. Susan lives out, in the most unveiling way, what it means to be a trauma-informed person. Anyone can get trained to become “trauma-informed”, Susan teaches people how to be a trauma-informed individual who talk, listen, and interacts in a manner which connects people and brings them to the present like no other. Body language, a significant communicator; it is not just enough to be informed about trauma but one must consider what their body language is telling the person in front of them. A person can put a system of any kind into place with the best of intentions but if it is not put into place with all aspects considered the impact might not only be ineffective but detrimental and most often not intentional. Susan has made a huge impact on me and who I am as a Social Worker. I am grateful and forever indebted to her for the investment she not only poured into me but into beautiful individuals I come into contact with daily. I see her work in so many, she has no idea how impactful she is."

Michael Zysk

Teacher, Program Coordinator

San Juan Unified School District

“In my three years closely working with Susan Jones, I regard her as the 'People Whisperer.' She's been a brave voice and advocate for trauma-informed care in school systems which quickly forget. Trauma-informed care is actually an ethic that has deeply impacted the conscience Susan represents. Because of what Susan has taught me, I try to think and speak from a wholly different empathetic perspective. The results are taking me personally AND professionally further than any professional development I can ever remember. But be careful. Because once Susan Jones is in your system, it's like having a mosquito in your ear day and night, she's that good at creating consistent personal awareness."

Stephanie Coleman

CSUS Department of Education Instructor
Cordova High School Special Education Department Lead

“So many of us feel like we want to DO something. We don’t want to just put up a post or two and then go back to our simple and privileged lives. In order to help create change we need tools to better understand the problem, our place in the problem and role in that problem so we can know what to do when and why. Susan’s trainings provide context to what trauma is, what causes it and our role in interacting with one another with this understanding so that we can bring people together, help create space for healing and work towards a world where adverse experiences are the exception and not the rule.”

Kristi LaFollette: Health Workplace Advocate

Sales and Business Operations Lead, Anti-Racist Center For Equity And Inclusion,

Portland OR

"I hired Susan to come speak at a day conference I organized in Portland, OR last December titled Equity In Action. Susan has taught me a great deal over the past few years about ACEs and what Trauma-Informed Care is about. I still have a LOT to learn, but I thought her experiences with TIC and applying it to her work as a behavior analyst would be of great interest to our attendees. It WAS!Susan was very well-prepared. I loved how she was able to keep the room engaged with her pace, candor, insights and humor. She spoke towards the end of the day, and you know how that can go. People are tired, they start thinking about what to make for dinner...but people were actively listening and asking all kinds of questions at the end, they did not want to leave! Susan is really good at getting people to CONNECT.We ALL have experienced some kind of trauma in our lives, and it was my intent to show how in business, understanding this about peers can help with conflict resolution and communicating. I highly recommend Susan as a consultant for any organization interested in learning about Trauma-Informed Care."

Sarah Brooke Stiles

LCSW Clinical Therapist Mind Body Integrative

Former ASW, PPSC, Social Worker, MTSS Team,

San Juan Unified School District

"Susan will humbly challenge you, not just by her words but through her personhood. Yes, it is true, there are hundreds of different trainings about trauma and countless trainers; trauma is a hot topic nowadays and rightfully so, as it permeates the seams of society. Susan lives out, in the most unveiling way, what it means to be a trauma-informed person. Anyone can get trained to become “trauma-informed”, Susan teaches people how to be a trauma-informed individual who talk, listen, and interacts in a manner which connects people and brings them to the present like no other. Body language, a significant communicator; it is not just enough to be informed about trauma but one must consider what their body language is telling the person in front of them. A person can put a system of any kind into place with the best of intentions but if it is not put into place with all aspects considered the impact might not only be ineffective but detrimental and most often not intentional. Susan has made a huge impact on me and who I am as a Social Worker. I am grateful and forever indebted to her for the investment she not only poured into me but into beautiful individuals I come into contact with daily. I see her work in so many, she has no idea how impactful she is."

Meet Susan

A public education veteran with a global clientele, Susan leverages her expertise in human development to impart systemic changes in communication, behavior, and intergenerational influences.


With over 20 years of pioneering experience in trauma-informed behavioral intervention and support—long before the term became mainstream—Susan's work has gained prominence alongside advancements in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) science. Her expertise in resilience-building equips educators, organizations, leaders, families, and individuals nationwide to transform chaos and misunderstanding into calm, supportive, productive, and equitable environments.

What's your work about?

IT'S A SHIFT.

I believe and teach that this work is a daily practice. It's not about checking a box; it's about how and why we communicate and participate. It's about recognizing and dismantling harm within our systems and social norms. This practice enlightens individuals, families, organizations, and communities, providing awareness and tools for change. The hardest part is recognizing that it’s time to shift, and that’s where our work begins.