The Cogjam Effect: - and the Path to Healing Divisive Community and Fractured Science

"Laurel E. Hughes, Psy.D. integrates her disaster mental health expertise and practical life experiences as she sheds light on circumstances in today’s world that have most of us perplexed. Her approach to laying a foundation of understanding stress and disaster recovery outlines potential paths for moving forward: behavioral, emotional, interpersonal, and communitywide. She skillfully weaves her scientific background with compassionate insights into common and not-so-common human conditions. Her writing style captures the reader’s attention, holds it, and communicates content succinctly with a sprinkling of humor. She makes the reader think, and encourages us in our individual journeys of discovery. Balance, proficiency, kindness, uplifting energy—all attributes of Laurel Hughes that are evident in The Cogjam Effect…and the Path to Healing Divisive Community and Fractured Science." --Rebecca LaFollette Taylor: Oregon State Regent 2018-2020, Daughters of the American Revolution.

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Mental health disaster is growing roots, having sprouted from today's socio-political meltdown. We typically blame it on politics. But our angst is actually fueled by fear response processes gone awry-within ourselves and others, both physically and mentally. Drawing from current understanding of disaster, brain science, cognitive development, trauma, and resilience, The Cogjam Effect explains how to find healing through mindfulness, compassion, and reenlisting reasoning skills we've honed since birth.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laurel E. Hughes, Psy.D. participated in over 50 disaster operations, ranging from major catastrophes such as the events of September 11th to minor local flooding. Between deployments, she wrote books, and developed numerous program and training materials for agencies and organizations that provide mental health services following disaster. Now semiretired, she is still watching and listening— and stepping back into the ring for this opportunity to out “the cogjam effect.” Dr. Hughes may be reached by email or through her website. laurel@keeperconnections.com; www.thecogjameffect.com.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT COGJAM EFFECT:

"Do the times feel crazy to you? Leave it to Laurel Hughes to come up with fresh high-level understanding of what is happening in America now—an unfortunate malady she calls “cogjam.” Laurel's substantial experience with the psychological aftermath of disasters such as the Twin Towers, Katrina and many others gives her unique perspective. She intelligently and coherently diagnoses the widespread symptoms of the American populace’s disrupted lives, which strike her as eerily similar to those experienced by people mending from the fallout of major disaster...Beyond identifying the nature of the situation, Laurel provides a clear and useful guide to why this is happening. She delivers a brief but powerful masterclass in cognitive jamming, blending latest brain science and social research with lessons learned during her during her experience helping disaster survivors."  – Jeannie Coyle Penny, Former SVP HR of American Express, speaker and executive coach to and C-Suite executives, and author of Make Talent Your Business.

Find Your Balance in These Crazy Political and Social Times
Do the times feel crazy to you? Leave it to Laurel Hughes to come up with fresh high-level understanding of what is happening in America now—an unfortunate malady she calls “cogjam.” Laurel 's substantial experience with the psychological aftermath of disasters such as the Twin Towers, Katrina and many others gives her unique perspective. She intelligently and coherently diagnoses the widespread symptoms of the American populace’s disrupted lives, which strike her as eerily similar to those experienced by people mending from the fallout of major disaster. But unlike traditional disaster, which ends then opens pathways for healing, the roller coaster of raucous noise inflicted by our political and social climate continually throws monkey wrenches into everybody’s thinking—and common sense goes out the window.
Beyond identifying the nature of the situation, Laurel provides a clear and useful guide to why this is happening. She delivers a brief but powerful masterclass in cognitive jamming, blending latest brain science and social research with lessons learned during her experience helping disaster survivors.
The bonus is what we are all looking for, the answer to “so what, what do I do?” I had been keeping above the fray as best I could, yet was still feeling a bit crazy at times. Laurel’s practical ideas for further adjusting my mindset and achieving balance were a gift—one that I have shared with my friends and colleagues. I highly recommend reading Laurel’s book. We all benefit from a little less crazy in our lives. We can also do our parts to heal divisiveness and reinstate the reason and science necessary for the crucial conversations our country must undertake. This book will help you get rid of some of the crazy, and find healthier balance.
– Jeannie Coyle Penny, Former SVP HR of American Express, speaker and executive coach to CEOS and C-Suite executives, and author of Make Talent Your Business.
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Laurel is committed to the psychological (and related physical and spiritual) wellbeing of those affected by disaster, social unrest, and the recent resurgence of hate, divisiveness, and global unhappiness. Her book is a coherent, cogent presentation of how we can grow, use negative experience to become more resilient, and ultimately get “unstuck.” More than this, The Cogjam Effect offers specific solutions for today’s external stresses. Finding our individual paths out of “cogjam” will help us deal with the dismay, fear, anger, and hopelessness that at times displaces the peace, happiness, and fulfillment we seek.
– Judy Nicholson, LCSW, Disaster Mental Health Chief