Name: Head and Heart in Advocacy: Brain Science, Stress, and Client Decision-Making
Start: 2026-08-27T08:30:00-0700
End: 2026-08-27T10:00:00-0700

Head and Heart in Advocacy: Brain Science, Stress, and Client Decision-Making

Thursday August 27, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Embassy Suites- Mirabella C

Legal aid attorneys, advocates, and staff frequently represent clients experiencing high levels of stress, trauma, and instability, which can significantly affect communication, memory, decision-making, and engagement in the legal process. This training introduces the basic neuroscience of stress and its impact on client behavior, including how stress can impair reasoning, increase emotional reactivity, and contribute to inconsistent or avoidant behaviors often interpreted as resistance or noncompliance. This session also introduces practical, non-clinical emotional intelligence strategies to improve attorney-client communication, enhance advocate and staff support, reduce conflict, and support client participation. By integrating brain-based insights with effective communication techniques, attorneys will be better equipped to interpret client behavior, adjust their approach in high-stress interactions, and improve overall advocacy outcomes. This session is designed to be practical, interactive, and directly applicable to legal aid practices.

Speakers

Adrienne Lees

Adrienne Lees is the Senior Prevention Coordinator at the TN Tech Center for Addiction Prevention & Support. She is a Certified Family Life Educator and a Certified Peer Support Specialist. Ms. Lees serves as Director of the Addiction Prevention & Support Coalition, manages a team... Read More →

Matt Silvey

Mr. Silvey is a lecturer, attorney and Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Tennessee. His clinical experience includes community mental health, forensic social work in the public defense system, hospice care, and public guardianship, as well as psychotherapy practice... Read More →

Thursday August 27, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Embassy Suites- Mirabella C

Equal Justice University 2026

Adrienne Lees

Matt Silvey

Attendees (8)

Get help with the event

Equal Justice University 2026

Adrienne Lees

Matt Silvey

Attendees (8)

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