The Tree & Me

"It will be a light in the world for so many people." Deb Dana, Clinician, Author, Founding Member of PVI

"This poem relates to every single human being on the planet because it is the nervous system experience." Stephen W. Porges, PhD, Author of Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing 

"Ms. Dickson takes us on a compassionate polyvagal journey with her poem. It's a journey through feelings we've all experienced, integrated with polyvagal language that takes us through body/mind states in a way that's both uplifting and instructive at the same time. Beautifully illustrated, the poem touches a place where art, the felt experience and self-knowledge come together. Find a quiet moment, and a quiet place, to sit back and savor this little treasure." Randall Redfield, Executive Director, PVIâFounding Member

"The Tree & Me is a wise and touching invitation to come back to the body and to nature to ground, and heal." Sat Dharam Kaur ND, Co-Director, CEO, Facilitator, Compassionate Inquiry 

"Katy, Regan, and Alexis have crafted a beautiful and meaningful book. By using trees as a metaphor for the nervous system, they illustrate transitions between different autonomic states as natural shifts that everyone goes through. In this way, they normalize our body-brain's response to our experiences and make complex concepts relatable and understandable." Karen Onderko, PVI Founding Member 

"Vulnerable, reflective, and hopeful, The Tree & Me could not come into this world at a more important time. The poem and illustrations so artfully and intentionally tell a story that holds up a mirror for each reader. It reminds us of the brilliance we carry inside of us through every storm and chapter. This book is a hug for the nervous system and is a resource one can come back to and read again and again." Lori Desautels, PhD, Assistant Professor, Butler University's College of Education, Author of Connections Over Compliance and Intentional Neuroplasticity