Judy Cameron, PhD explains how stressful events can be harmful, tolerable, or beneficial to children’s brains, depending on how much of a bodily stress response they provoke and how long the response lasts. Her presentation covers the variables that influence the outcome of exposure to stress, including whether the stressful experience is controllable, how often and for how long the body’s stress system is activated, and whether or not children have dependable relationships to turn to for support. This presentation was delivered as part of the Recovery from Addiction (RFA) symposium, held in October 2012.