The Truitt Institute

The Truitt Institute We provide small, intimate, hands-on conferences and seminars taught by experts in the fields of Trauma Treatment and Neuroscience.

We believe everyone deserves to live life free from the stressful experiences of their past. Our goal is to make resilient and sustainable healing available to everyone. Thanks to new advances in Neuroscience, impactful, self-empowered healing is now available to everyone. Viva Excellence is dedicated to the empowerment and well-being of others. The training team at Viva Excellence has specialized

in the most effective, cutting edge treatments guaranteed to sponsor others in Living Their Excellence. Life is an incredible journey. Everyone deserves the opportunity to live their most fulfilled life. We provide small, intimate, hands-on conferences and seminars taught by experts in the fields of Trauma Treatment, Neuroscience, Psychophysiology, Stress-Related Disorders, Wellness, with a focus on Building a Sustainable, Resilient Life. Our workshops are designed in collaboration with the nation's leading experts. We also provide ongoing support throughout the certification processes and pride ourselves on the community of individuals and organizations we have had the opportunity to work with. We not only seek Excellence in other's lives, we live it in our own. We are looking forward to seeing you at one of our events soon!

03/31/2026

EMDR works by navigating neural pathways to reprocess trauma, sometimes triggering repressed memories.

When this happens, approach them with curiosity. The brain creates meaning around past experiences to help us survive, so these memories have a purpose.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, step back and ask, "What is the meaning of this memory?" Reflect on why the brain brings it up and if there's something to learn about your interactions and behaviors.

This perspective helps reframe the experience, empowering your life moving forward. By exploring these memories thoughtfully, you can gain valuable insights and foster personal growth.

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Children rely on their caregivers for a sense of security and safety.When their environment is filled with manipulation ...
03/15/2026

Children rely on their caregivers for a sense of security and safety.

When their environment is filled with manipulation and lies, it becomes distressing and confusing for them. As they develop, they need consistency to build a reliable and trustworthy mental model of the world.

Let's all step forward to protect and nurture the vulnerable ones in our world.

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03/01/2026

To truly understand oneself, it helps to look closely at both behavior and the nervous system. This is where the field of neuroscience offers valuable insight.

When neuroscience is integrated into psychology, it opens the door to a deeper understanding of human behavior. Exploring how the brain functions, and how it changes and adapts through life experiences, can reveal patterns that make our thoughts, emotions, and actions easier to understand.

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What if your emotions were more than just “feelings”?What if they were tiny messengers, quietly giving your brain real-t...
01/02/2026

What if your emotions were more than just “feelings”?

What if they were tiny messengers, quietly giving your brain real-time updates about what you need, what you care about, and what’s working or not working for you?

Most of us were never taught that emotions are actually microdata points. They’re your body’s built-in feedback system, helping you tune into what matters, what’s overwhelming, and where something might need to shift. The more we listen, the better we get at making choices that feel good and right for us.

Next time a big feeling comes up, pause and ask, “What is this trying to tell me?” That simple moment of curiosity might change the way you move through your day. 💭

💡 To help you strengthen emotional awareness, Dr. Kate Truitt created the Emotions Thermometer Tool—a simple 10-point scale you can use to track your emotional activation.

Get your free copy through the link in bio.


Why does shame sometimes feel like it's stuck to us?Shame often clings from past experiences, replaying an old, untrue s...
12/29/2025

Why does shame sometimes feel like it's stuck to us?

Shame often clings from past experiences, replaying an old, untrue story: "Something's wrong with me." But that story isn’t reality—it’s just an outdated tape in our mind.

The good news? We can rewrite it. Neuroscience-based tools allow us to release shame, unlearn those patterns, and create a compassionate path forward.

Shame may tell you that you’re not enough, but it’s lying.
It’s just an old story your brain’s been repeating for years. You can teach your brain a new story—one that says: “I am worthy. I am loved. I am enough.”

💙 Start your journey to healing and resilience with a free 30-minute consultation at Dr. Kate Truitt & Associates—call 626-524-5525 today.


12/26/2025

When pain shows up, it’s common for Amy, the amygdala, to create a story filled with worry. This is called pain catastrophizing, and it’s her way of trying to protect you.

Instead of pushing the story away, you can pause and notice, “Amy is telling me a story because she’s scared.” Then check in with your own perspective. What have you learned from your healing process, from your doctors, or from practices that support you?

If Amy’s story doesn’t match your own, you can thank her for trying to help and gently choose the step that supports your recovery.

What’s one phrase you can remind yourself of when fear feels louder than your progress?

📫 Sign up for our newsletter today and get the Neuroplasticity Empowerment Toolkit for free! Inside, you’ll find neuroscience-based practices to support your regulation, build resilience, and strengthen your sense of empowerment. Click the link in my bio to download yours.


The freeze response in our system can be triggered by many things, often unexpectedly. It's our body's way of making us ...
12/24/2025

The freeze response in our system can be triggered by many things, often unexpectedly. It's our body's way of making us very still and quiet to avoid drawing attention. This response helps reduce the chance that a threat will continue to focus on us, like a turtle hiding in its shell.

The signs of the freeze response include brain fog, numbness, feeling disconnected, cold hands and feet, and holding our breath. This response helps us survive by keeping us safe until the danger passes, allowing us to return to our normal state.

You don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode.
Your nervous system can relearn safety. With science-backed, compassionate therapy, my team and I can help you reconnect with your body and reclaim your calm.

📞 Schedule your free 30-minute consultation today at 626-524-5525 — because healing begins when your brain knows it’s safe to move forward.


Journaling can feel impossible when the brain senses that there aren't enough resources to handle what’s beneath the sur...
12/19/2025

Journaling can feel impossible when the brain senses that there aren't enough resources to handle what’s beneath the surface.

That resistance isn’t a failure; it’s protection. The brain is working hard to keep things manageable, even if that means suppressing certain emotions.

CPR for the amygdala provides a means to create safety from within, allowing for deeper reflection without overwhelming the system. A slight shift that can open the door to healing.

Try it the next time journaling feels out of reach.

💙 Start your journey to healing and resilience with a free 30-minute consultation at Dr. Kate Truitt & Associates—call 626-524-5525 today.


What if being “fine” is actually your brain’s way of staying safe? That’s the essence of Survivor Bypass — when the brai...
12/16/2025

What if being “fine” is actually your brain’s way of staying safe?
That’s the essence of Survivor Bypass — when the brain decides that strength equals suppression.

After trauma, your nervous system learns that emotions are dangerous territory.
So it builds a fortress — high-functioning, calm, in control — but behind those walls, joy and rest can’t get in either.

This isn’t weakness. It’s protection.
But protection can become isolation if the brain never learns that safety can coexist with feeling.

Healing begins when you stop asking, “What’s wrong with me?” and start asking, “What is my brain protecting me from?”
That’s the moment awareness becomes rewiring.

🌱 Surviving is an act of power. Healing is an act of partnership.

📗 Download Chapter 4 of The Brain Partnership Toolbox for Addiction, Mental Health, and Trauma Treatment Professionals — free via the link in bio.

Loss shapes the way the brain understands the world, and healing can shape it too.The brain relies on past experiences t...
12/10/2025

Loss shapes the way the brain understands the world, and healing can shape it too.

The brain relies on past experiences to process emotions, including pain. That means the way loss is carried isn’t fixed. It can shift with intention.

Turning toward curiosity about the past and hope for the future helps create new pathways for healing and growth. The mind can learn to hold loss in a way that feels lighter.

💙 Start your journey to healing and resilience with a free 30-minute consultation at Dr. Kate Truitt & Associates—call 626-524-5525 today.


Pain isn’t just about the physical. It can be connected to something deeper like fear, which can make it feel even more ...
12/06/2025

Pain isn’t just about the physical. It can be connected to something deeper like fear, which can make it feel even more intense.

Think about it: could fear be part of your pain story? Whether it’s migraines, back pain, or something like the neck pain I’ve carried from an old car accident. Journaling might help you uncover if fear is involved.

This realization could be the first step in healing. Understanding this connection can help you begin a new, more gentle journey toward feeling better. Take a moment to reflect and see what comes up.

💙 Start your journey to healing and resilience with a free 30-minute consultation at Dr. Kate Truitt & Associates—call 626-524-5525 today.


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Pasadena, CA
91101

Telephone

(626) 524-5525

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