Jacqueline Tournier, a systemic family therapist and child psychologist, has released the 4th revised 2025 English edition of her book YOU and Stress… The Brain Explained globally, following its success in the Netherlands and Belgium where it has already helped over 4,000 families, educators, and therapists. The book aims to make stress understanding accessible through a simple, visual, and science-based approach.
The book introduces three animal metaphors: The Owl Brain (cortex) representing thinking, The Dolphin Brain (limbic system) representing feeling, and The Crocodile Brain (brainstem) representing survival reactions. This framework helps children and adults understand fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses and provides tools to return to emotional safety. The book includes a calming breathing exercise, movement and grounding tools, step-by-step stress-relief strategies, and a free downloadable workbook.
Tournier, who runs the therapeutic practice FlowinGrow and is a mother of three including a daughter with Down syndrome, developed the book after years of observing children feeling misunderstood and parents feeling helpless. The book is designed for parents, children aged six and up, schools, therapists, daycare centers, and healthcare professionals. It bridges the gap between science and everyday life, offering a shared language for feelings and turning emotional chaos into clarity.
The global launch comes at a time when stress among children is reportedly higher than ever, parents are overwhelmed, and teachers need strategies for managing emotional dysregulation in classrooms. Professional endorsements from Centrum Onderwijs Mediation (2025) and autism coach Ellen (2025) highlight the book's effectiveness as a communication and therapeutic tool. More information is available at www.youandstress.com.
Tournier's vision is that stress is not the enemy; disconnection is. Her work extends beyond the book to include parent workshops, school programs, therapist training sessions, and professional development for educators, all centered on helping the Owl, Dolphin, and Crocodile brains communicate effectively. The book is available through Amazon and all major international book distributors.
