SPEAKING FOR EDUCATORS & PROFESSIONALS

Stress & Burnout Keynotes for Professionals

Honest, humorous, and practical presentations for the people who spend their days taking care of everyone else. From teachers and counselors to school staff running on stress, these talks blend real-life stories, research-informed strategies, and a healthy dose of humor to help educators manage stress, build resilience, and rediscover their own well-being. From the author of Confessions of a Cortisol Junkie.

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For teachers, counselors, and school staff

Educators absorb a lot: student trauma, high expectations and very little time to recover. Dr. Duer speaks to that directly, drawing on research about stress and secondary traumatic stress, her years as a school counselor, and her own story as a self-described cortisol junkie.

Her book, Confessions of a Cortisol Junkie: A Candid Look at Breaking Free from a Life Addicted to Stress and Chaos, is now available in paperback. Learn about the book

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Talks on stress, burnout, and self-care

Confessions of a Cortisol Junkie (keynote)

What happens when living in survival mode becomes your normal? In this candid, humorous, and thought-provoking keynote, Dr. Stephanie Duer explores the realities of breaking free from a life fueled by stress and chaos, particularly for those in helping professions who spend their days caring for others. Blending personal stories, research-informed insights, and practical strategies, she challenges the myth that exhaustion is the price of being effective and reveals what healing really looks like. Participants will leave with actionable tools to manage stress, establish healthier boundaries, build resilience, and create a more intentional approach to work and life.

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When the Future Doesn't Look So Bright: Trauma, Secondary Traumatic Stress and Self-Care

Working with students experiencing trauma can take a toll on the adults who support them. This session explores the signs of secondary traumatic stress and provides practical strategies to protect well-being, prevent burnout, and support recovery and resilience.

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What About Me? Understanding Vicarious Trauma

Who takes care of the people who take care of everyone else? This session explores how to recognize vicarious trauma in yourself and your team before it leads to burnout. Participants will learn what warning signs to watch for and practice simple, practical mini-resets to support well-being and build resilience throughout the workday.

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Your Why is Tired: Considering the Possibilities of Why Not? (keynote)

For educators who still love the work but are running on empty, this session challenges us to look beyond our “why” and ask the less common question: “Why not?” Participants will explore how to challenge self-imposed limitations, rediscover possibilities, and reignite a sense of purpose, growth, and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives.

Every talk can be delivered as a keynote, a breakout session, a half-day or full-day workshop, or staff training. Virtual sessions are available for shorter talks when travel isn't practical.

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Where Dr. Duer has spoken to Texas educators

• Lone Star State School Counselor Conference (2024, 2025)

• Texas School Counselor Association Annual Growth Conference (2023)

• Region 6 ESC School Counselor Conference (2026)

• Region 14 Mental Health Conference, keynote (2025)

• Region 12 Building Behavior Better Conference (2026)

• Association for Compensatory Educators of Texas Fall Conference (2023)

• Partners Resource Network Parent Conference (2023, 2026)

• Eleven Texas school districts, Sam Houston State University and Lone Star College

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What attendees say

“Dr. Duer's presentation was my favorite. She had a lot of valuable information and it was immediately applicable.”
— Event attendee

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Why Dr. Duer

She doesn’t just talk about stress and trauma from a distance—she understands them firsthand. Having lived the overcommitted, stress-driven life she speaks about, she brings authenticity, humor, and research-informed, practical strategies that educators can put into action the very next day. Her approach blends real-life experience with professional expertise to create meaningful, lasting change. She is coffee-fueled, change-driven, and trauma-informed.

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Frequently asked questions

Is this a good fit for convocation or back-to-school?

Yes. These talks are built for all-staff audiences and can also run as breakouts or counselor-specific sessions.

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Can attendees get copies of the book?

Yes. Please confirm with Dr. Duer prior to the event to arrange to have copies available at your event. Attendees who bought the book on Amazon are welcome to bring their copy for Dr. Duer to sign.

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How much does it cost?

Keynote engagements begin at $1,500. Fees vary with the event, audience, travel and scope; contact Dr. Duer to discuss your budget.

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Bring Dr. Duer to your campus or organization

Tell Dr. Duer about your event, audience, and dates. Keynote engagements begin at $1,500; fees vary with the event, audience, travel, and scope, and she is happy to talk through budget options.