Question:

I attended your workshop in New Orleans. I now have a client who is a perfect candidate for the repetitive nightmare treatment.  Is there someone in the New Orleans area that I can refer my client to for this -- or who can teach me how to go through the process myself with my client?  Thanks.  Roberto

Answer:

Dear Roberto,
The best expert is the wonderful psychologist who developed the method for the veterans at the Brecksville V.A. - Beverly Donovan, PhD.   Sadly for all of us, she's retired from the V.A. – she was very generous with her time and expertise while she was still working there, but, alas, she’s taken to traveling, relaxing and visiting a lot of family.  Darn, I hate it when that happens!
 

In her blog, a trauma survivor credits a paragraph in Invisible Heroes as her impetus for using her “acquired skills” at dissociation to consciously help herself cope.  She refers to a woman from the book named Frannie who was assaulted in a hospital parking lot, quoting this excerpt: 

“Although Frannie was disabled by her traumatic experiences, she was also, in certain ways, empowered by them. Frannie was a natural at using imagery and the altered state to help herself heal. The trance state was her powerful ally, and she was adept at achieving it, rapidly and deeply, thanks to a trauma-induced intensification in her brain’s visual, sensorimotor, and emotional centers.” *

In other words, use your skills at dissociation to get you out of a bad place.

Jennifer Strauss PhD and her team at Duke Medical Center & the Durham V.A.M.C. have conducted one survey and 3 studies assessing SMART (Self-Management Audio for Recovery from Trauma) on soldiers and veterans with posttraumatic stress.  The results have exceeded expectations, and compare with far more expensive, time-consuming, and hard-to-implement best practices currently in use for PTSD.

We gratefully received this very touching and beautiful posting on the blog last week, when so many of you responded to the question of the week being asked.  It speaks to the power of imagery and affirmation to heal trauma – in this case, particularly the longstanding numbness.  It reaches places that talking and thinking just can’t go, because of where traumatic memories are stored in the brain.  That’s why we need imagery!

Hi there. I heard your interview on New Dimensions Radio and it really rang true that I have had issues with post traumatic stress. I was witness to a suicide bomb in Jerusalem a few years ago. I think that my jaw clenching, irritable bowel syndrome and possibly my quasi-addiction to pot are related to this incident. What CDs would you recommend? Likewise, I just wanted to thank you for your work.
Take care,
Curtis
 

Researchers from Cardiff University in Wales performed a systematic review of RCTs (randomized, controlled trials) of various psychological treatments for PTSD. The study looked at trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy/exposure therapy (TFCBT); stress management (SM – this is where guided imagery would mostly fit); supportive therapy; non-directive counseling; psychodynamic therapy; hypnotherapy; group cognitive behavioural therapy; and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

Thirty-three studies wound up qualifying for inclusion in the review. There was no significant difference between TFCBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and SM (stress management) – both did significantly better than wait-list controls and than the other therapies.  EMDR also did significantly better.

 

I am 59. I have had a migraine since I was in my mid-twenties (poetic license!). Seventeen years ago I was diagnosed with the prelude to what has now evolved into Lupus. I have had this condition for 5 years - suffering stuff that I wrongly attributed to God knows what - until a major flare-up this year resulted in the diagnosis.
 
This year I have had one flare-up after another. I control one with steroids - get over it - another comes. I have been working with all kinds of techniques/therapies on my own (have a background in psychology) and then I hit the jackpot:  relaxation, emotional protection, visualization.

Question:
 
Dear Belleruth,

First of all thank you for the PTSD Guided Imagery Mp3's. They are, perhaps quite literally, a life saver. I've been in therapy for severe childhood trauma and I listen to your MP3's on my iPod ... well ... I can't imagine not having them and it's been a wonderful compliment to my therapy sessions.  And every time I hear you say "You are healing ... you will continue to heal", I feel deeply moved beyond words.  The sound of your voice, your help and guidance that comes across makes you the most dearest and treasured friend I've never met. : )

Hi!  I have used your CD's to help me with my Breast Cancer treatment.  I am now done with the treatment and left, hopefully, medically cancer free.  But oh what a number has been done on my spirit!  Lack of trust in my body, in the future, and sea sickness from all the emotions roiling around in me. 

I have read that MANY (maybe most) Breast Cancer survivors have to seek help from anti-depressants or simply suffer untreated depression after their medical treatment.  Since what especially needs healing now is the spirit, what better work for guided imagery?  Maybe your post trauma CD is what I am looking for and I will try it, but it seems there are some specific aspects of cancer fighting (like the possibility of recurrence) that make this need unique.
 
Do you take requests?  : )
Thanks, Joyce