Who is Dr. Amy Banks?
Dr. Amy Banks is a scholar, author, and creator of the C.A.R.E. Program.
Dr. Amy Banks is a Founding Scholar at the International Center for Growth in Connection (ICGC) and a Senior Scholar at the Wellesley Centers for Women. She is the first person to bring relational-cultural theory together with neuroscience and is the foremost expert in the combined field. She has spoken throughout the country on “The Neurobiology of Relationship” and has an ongoing passion to spread the message that we are hardwired for connection.
TAKE THE C.A.R.E. ASSESSMENT
Take the Relational C.A.R.E. Assessment
A 20 question relational assessment tool that allows you to see your relationships in 3-D and provides invaluable insights into how your pathways for connection are influencing and being influenced by the relationships in your life. Start the assessment.
Guidelines for the C.A.R.E. Assessment
Do:
- Find a time when you feel “relatively” ok; do not fill out when you are acutely dysregulated.
- Make a list of relationships in your life.
- Choose the five relationships that you spend the most time in (both mental and physical) regardless of the quality of the connection.
- Enter those names on the chart in #1 – #5.
- Embody the relationship: imagine a few interactions with this person noticing what you feel in your body and your mind.
- Check out “Four Ways to Click” to find exercises to strengthen your C.A.R.E. scores and enhance your capacity for a healthy relationship.
Do Not:
- List your children if they are under 20 years old.
- List your five closest relationships (unless they are the relationships you spend the most time in); remember time in any relationship is time spent stimulating the C.A.R.E. Pathways.
- Do not overthink your answers! Try to complete the assessment in 20-30 minutes.
- Do not do the math. Your scores will be calculated automatically.
C.A.R.E. Scores
Your C.A.R.E. scores, calculated from the answers you recorded on your C.A.R.E. Assessment, provide a snapshot of the relative strength or weakness of your 4 neural pathways for connection. High C.A.R.E. scores are correlated with stronger, safer, and more rewarding relationships.
Relational Safety Groups
Practicing new skills in a relationship makes most people feel vulnerable. You will improve your chances of having a positive relational and learning experience by having a clearer sense of the ability of the relationship to grow. Forming relational safety groups will give you a more nuanced understanding of the relationships in your life and will guide you in choosing the safest relationships when relating in new ways.
C.A.R.E. Exercises
The final step in your C.A.R.E. Plan is to identify and develop personalized C.A.R.E. exercises designed to change your brain in order to improve your relationships.
Wired to Connect is a great resource for starting out. If you want to create a more personalized plan, see Care Consultations.
C.A.R.E. Consultations
If you are interested in a one-on-one consultation with Amy in order to discuss your C.A.R.E Assessment scores and develop a personalized plan, please contact Amy. Consultations begin at $250/hour.