Surviving Childhood Trauma – Turning Pain into Purpose

The National Institute of Mental Health defines childhood trauma as, “The experience of an event by a child that is emotionally painful or distressful, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.” Unless you start the healing process, these

The 1 Inspirational TED Talk You’ve Probably Never Seen Before On Trauma, Resilience & Redemption!

Before Derek Clark was a motivational speaker on trauma and inspirational keynote speaker, he was a survivor of horrific child abuse, abandoned at a psychiatric unit and then placed into foster care for thirteen years… all of this by the

Motivational Speaker Derek Clark Receives International Foster Care Award From SOS Children’s Village Located in 134 Countries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 22, 2018 Derek Clark Wins 2018 SOS International Foster Award Vancouver, British Columbia The local chapter of the world’s largest non-governmental organization focused on supporting children without parental care is pleased to announce that motivational speaker,

Antwone Fisher (Denzel Washington Movie) and Derek Clark – Two Foster Brothers Who Celebrate Each Other’s Success

A wonderful and inspiring video of two foster brothers Antwone Fisher and Derek Clark, celebrating each other’s success! Antwone Fisher has been my friend for years. We met when I was an expert on the Ricki Lake TV Show and

“You Cannot Think Negative About a Child and Expect a Positive Outcome” – Motivational Keynote Speaker Derek Clark

Popular conference keynote speaker Derek Clark shares his new program “You Cannot Think Negative About a Child and Expect a Positive Outcome”. Derek’s inspiring presentation can be delivered as a conference keynote or an educational training program for professionals working

Having a Hard Time With Your Child or Teenager? Try These 15 Powerful Phrases to Connect With Them.

By Derek Clark Does your child really know that they are loved by you? Everyday, children are killing themselves and many parents are ignoring the signs until it is too late. A 15 year old girl in foster care committed

Motivational TED Talk – The Power of Determination – Derek Clark’s Speech

Motivational TED Talk on the power of determination will inspire you. Derek Clark’s story is one of resilience and redemption. Before he was an inspiring motivational speaker, thirteen years of Derek’s early life was spent in the San Francisco bay

Derek Clark Ranks #1 on Google for Inspiring Motivational Speaker!

Derek Clark, an inspirational keynote speaker now ranks #1 on Google for “inspiring motivational speaker”! Derek’s positive message has rejuvenated the hearts of audiences worldwide. He delivers inspirational conference keynote speeches to many federal, state and county departments in an

11 Phrases You Should Never Say to a Child in Foster Care

I came across this article that hit the hammer on the head in regards to showing some compassion and being careful what you say to children in foster care. I spent 13 years of my early life in foster care. That

Motivational Speaker Derek Clark Shares His Story of Surviving Child Abuse

If it wasn’t for foster care and great foster parents that never gave up, I might be dead or in prison. Foster care saved my life from the brutal child abuse. As an innocent child, I paid the price for

As a Helpless, Homeless and Hopeless Child, I Had Doubts About Foster Care.

As a child growing up in the foster care system, there was a little piece in me that doubted a foster home would keep me. I had already been through a few foster homes. I couldn’t trust foster parents because

Trauma – An Emotional Wound From an Assault on a Person’s Dignity, Safety and Security

The term ‘trauma’ is used to “refer to an emotional wound caused by a frightening and painful experience” (Webb, 2006). Clinical attention has primarily focused on the source of trauma, symptoms of trauma and treatment to trauma. A Response-Based Approach

Dealing With Trauma – Confessions From a Child in Foster Care

I have used humor to get through brutal and extreme abusive situations that I suffered as a child before being abandoned into foster care. There are many times that I would be the class clown. It was hard for me

Every Child Living in Foster Care Has a Story of Loss – Trauma

A child living in foster care can have a great and safe experience, or it can have devastating consequences as the system may create a severed, ruptured, or disrupted connection to their families of origins. For those who have experienced

Can Your Dad and Kids Do This? The Awesome Influence of a Dad Who Grew Up In Foster Care!

Have you ever seen Derek Clark, a popular motivational speaker hang out with his children and morph into the viral video sensation Rapping Dad? It is an amazing and fun sight. This video will show you the other side of

A Gift for Foster Parents

This video is a gift to my foster parents for never giving up on me with all of the issues and labels that I had growing up. My wonderful foster parents stepped up and took a risk to help a

Derek Clark Featured on CBS News 2 Sharing His Inspirational Foster Care Story

Amazing! Before Derek was a professional speaker delivering motivation and inspiration, he was an abused and neglected child who was abandoned into the foster care system. Derek Clark loves to spread inspirational messages to his kids in creative ways. He

The Loving Side of Foster Care – Because of a Social Worker and Committed Foster Parents, I Thrived.

As a top motivational speaker for foster care conferences, I want to take this opportunity to bring awareness to the loving side of the foster care system. It seems like there’s always an article or a news story that reports

Top Foster Care Videos – Motivational Speaker Derek Clark

As an inspiring motivational speaker for foster care, child welfare professionals, foster parents, teachers and social workers, Derek Clark shares his encouraging videos that are sure to ignite hope. His inspirational messages will inspire professionals that are working children in

Conference Planner’s Fantastic Letter About Motivational Keynote Speaker Derek Clark. 727 Evaluations With a Rating of 5 out of 5!

A wonderful letter from a conference planner who discusses the audience’s feedback about motivational speaker Derek Clark’s powerful and inspiring keynote! Dear Derek, Thank you so much for your participation at the 2014 Texas Child Care Administrators Conference, It Starts

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