Listening to Dave’s introduction brought me to tears. Having a son who was a paratrooper in Afghanistan, hearing what it has been like for him since he came home, I feel so much for our soldiers and the price they pay long beyond deployment and active duty. As I watched my son even begin his journey with the army in basic training, there is an enormous amount of toughening up that these soldiers have to do to survive. Dave’s voice in the beginning, the intensity of it is going to feel like home from what I have come to understand. It felt comforting even to me because he was speaking the native tongue of a soldier (and I am a soldier’s Mom who has paid really close attention to this whole process.) I especially noticed how his volume and pacing changed towards the end, gradually bringing in a softness that I would imagine builds a bridge to the rest of the CD. Thank you Bellaruth and Dave for continuing to reach out to our soldiers!
Fantastic! I always felt that I could not pick up my clients with a too soft and calm voice so I did not do it. Now I know why. Thank you, this I call progress!!!
yes, it is a good reminder of the benefit of connecting first with a person’s world so that they can see and take advantage of an opportunity to create a new space with new thinking and choices.
We are much more multicultural than we suspect.
It is also a wonderful reminder of how we always get opportunities even when we think we blow it. He had to be invited twice and then he decided to give it a try and then to contribute toward helping others and she also stepped into a new world!
Loved the video. Speaks volumes and sounds like it gets to the point and into the heads of those who are needing it. Glad to have been the first to post it to the Google+ world also. Keep up the great work.
Firstly, cudos to all for staying the course. Thank you to Dave (and my condolences to you as a fellow bereaved parent) and to George for encouraging him on, and of course to Belleruth and ‘our’ Ruth for building and closing the circle of insight and light. From all those who will be aided by the courage of Dave’s choice to share his experience and make our awareness greater, THANK YOU.
On a personal note to Dave; my profession’s work became a legacy to my daughter’s memory. If you had the notion to do the same, and at the risk of sounding touchy feely, I would say you’d done yourself proud.
I share in your loss and pain. To loose a child is so tough on the whole family. You must be resiliant person as so many in our club either suppress the pain or choose not to feel at all. The reality of the issue is there are a great many of not only Soldier deaths by suicide but family members. These numbers are not reported so societyin general is unaware. You can bet I am commiting my life to this effort for Nick, my brother/sister soldiers and other bereaved parent whom are aware. A heart felt thank you for your contribution to make the world a better place. You get the HOOAH of the day!!!
Because I was trained in hypnosis, I understood that a hypnotic state didn’t have to be a relaxed state and always began where the person was at – which is hard to do on a tape. This is a superb tape which should be given a world wide showing. Congratulations to the creator of the tape for listening and collaborating with Dave, and then for sharing it. I’m not a soldier, however Dave spoke to me, as he was addressing that part of us which has shut down to different/challenging ideas (I’m looking at my desk as I write this). So, you can either have the courage to take on something new, or just ‘suck it up’. And Dave’s cred is very high – a suicide survivor.
Ruth, thanks again for sharing your wisdom gathering – we are lucky to have you!
This is tremendously inspiring. Start where people are at and walk with them all the way to peace of mind.
When the brain is configured to hostility and suspicion, it greets the suggestion of relaxation with hostility and suspicion. Walk with the worried brain – thru the minefields and snipers, thru the neighborhood gangs and rapists, thru the people demanding payments and threatening to put you out in the street. After walking thru the valley of death with someone who sees what you are seeing, it seems possible to the client that this person has a useful idea. A sense of trust emerges from having walked thru hell together.
If this is happening via a CD, there is a good chance that the intro will gradually become a meaningless ritual that is no longer needed. Perhaps the CD can be programmed so that the listener can opt at any time during the intro to jump right into the relaxation/meditation. After the listener has become proficient in relaxation, he/she will only need to hear:
“Check your environment for safety.
Take your customary position.
Inhale deeply,
Relax -
HUP”
This is how the brain works when it is working. One loud noise of a car backfiring puts a soldier right back into the war zone. The brain very rapidly disassembles whatever configuration it was in, and reconstructs the PTSD configuration. In a similar manned, given a familiar sense of a safe environment and the familiar feeling produced by a repetitive position, the brain will rapidly deconstruct its apprehensive configuration and reconstruct the learned meditative configuration in response to another sound.
Or so I think. I chose “HUP” as representative of the bridge between mental configurations.
These materials and approaches are terrific. Thank you for digging deeper and bringing innovations to us always. I want to share these with a wide variety of people who work with veterans, both as support and clinicians.
Wow…. how challenging and insightful. What courage it has taken for the man to not only face his experiences but to ring Bella Ruth and share with her what he believes would work for him and others. It is true that we learn from our clients if we choose to listen to them and not think we have all the answers. Thank you Bella Ruth for taking it on board and sharing it with us all:)
Bravo! For caring people who put ego aside and are willing to let someone who has literally been in the trenches participate first hand in their own recovery and the recovery of so many who can truly relate. I have not experienced these kinds of traumas, but this man’s courage to come out of his private hell to help himself, his family and so many others who desperately need it, is so inspirational. I have heard of Bella Ruth and I love her guided imagery and her heart. She is truly a woman who desires more than anything else to help people overcome whatever is ailing them. Bravo to all for this courageous endeavor! And may it reach many who are hurting to be finally free!
Having served eight years in the military and a tour in Vietnam I was immediately struck by the tone and demeanor of the First Sgt. Brought back a lot of memories and an immediate connection. I would love to be able to use this with some of my guys in the future.
This is awesome. At last. Something that is real! There isn’t anything I could disagree with and would not change a thing! I have discovered that quite a few people are very turned off by the use of a soft, gentle, soothing voice to begin guided imagery. Frankly, it has either irritated me or givwn me a bad case of the giggles thus I was unable to remain focused. This opening style would be an awesome tool to have in my toolbox, and I am more likely to use guided imagery now. A certified thanatologist (CT) is someone who is specializes in dying, death and bereavement, with an emphasis on complicated traumatic grief. So this is perfect!
Thank you so much!
Hazel Woodward, LPC, NCC, CT
Two words: ‘WOW’ and ‘FINALLY’!!
I have been nowhere near the army but I feel some people who glide into a room who appear to have never heard a four letter word open their mouths and ‘preach’ – well I just think ‘who earth are they going to reach’ – except perhaps someone from their congregation/church or community….Their words become patronizing to anyone outside their community. What a relief and what irony that it took a patient to point this out. Also how sad that it took yet another tragedy (the suicide of his son) for our eyes to be opened – what this guy said is so blindingly obvious how did everyone of us miss it – or did not say anything!! This is a wonderful demonstration of how showing how our weaknesses and learning from our patients (more than our tutors) is so funadmental to The Work.
I am so very grateful you both presented this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart – the shell has been broken to allow those in need to finally enter…. Bless and a BIG THANK YOU for this :) mwaa xx
‘The secret of caring for the patient is to care for the patient’ Peabody l936
Norm! This is awesome! I sometimes work with people who have been abused or traumatized although not soldiers with PTSD. But I know what it means to “meet people where they are”. I love how “out of the box” the soldier’s intro is and can see how soldier’s are more likely to engage in this from his intro. They speak “hard core” and “to the point” as in no “pussy footin’ around”, with each other, which meets them in a place they immediately respect and understand!!! Excellent and a good sign for some hope for these soldiers. Well done.
I have worked with many patients who are either culturally from a place that doesn’t “allow” them to consider the touchy/feely world or their nervous systems/brains are just too high wired to just sit down and relax. I think his straightforward, honest approach will work for more than just soldiers.
As interesting as this video is…it is not new info. or technique, however the style is obviously adapted to meet the needs of the military. Compassionate, skillfull means in action.
Many western spiritual traditions and eastern have used this technique for hundereds to thousands of years. We are just finally paying attention.
What an interesting experience! As the Sergeant’s voice began, I felt REAL fear. Then, as he continued I discovered that nothing bad happened to me. And by the end of his introduction I was safe and comforted by his voice. Wow! I’m so grateful that we could buy the recording, and with it Belleruth’s other CDs. Her comfort and pacing is so healing, that I have played some every day. Thank you to Dave, George, Belleruth, and of course our dear Ruth B.
I was in Viet Nam many, many years ago, in the army. I could relate to what the retired serviceman was saying. It got my attention and I listened all the way through it. I wish there had been something like this when I came home from that war. As is said, there is a definite culture clash. Especially, when it’s an unpopular war as that one was. I did go to some veterans groups for quite a while, and they helped. I know my wife sure thought I had changed when I returned. Much later in life, I found I was Codependent and had ADHD. I’ve been working with a therapist for a good number of years now. It definitely does help. I’m happy there is more knowledge in the mental health field now, than there was then. I’m hoping that much more of it gets into the VA, so they can help the men and women who risked so much for our country and way of life. They deserve it.
I just wanted to let you know (from someone who has produced guided imagery tools in the past and who is a Gulf War Veteran) that this is a GREAT introduction for soldiers! I think it should build rapport and get most of them in the right mindset to start the relaxation process…
I love this! I am impressed by the delivery Dave puts forth. Coming from a family with several military branches represented, I respect the sub-culture & recognize that we as civilians do not and cannot know where these soldiers come from. The way Dave (hopefully) connects with the men & women of our military is fantastic! Thank you for sharing this with us!
Amazing. I’ve worked a lot with police and often wonder how our whole system will respond as vets return to the US. I think this may just be the kind of tool that will reach them. Nothing like speaking to people in their own “language”.
Man, Wish I had the guts to to this. Many Vets. tell me that they can not connect with the meditation, guided imagery groups.
This holds their attention at the begining. This technique will help many who is afraid to change or even look for new ideas to help heal themselves.
I like the way the soldier vioce it self became calming, more relaxed and the graphics help to exchange challenging times.
Where can I get a cd like this!
Ruth – I am SO deeply – touched and gratified and all the words I can’t think of right now – because you continue to push for the possible in therapeutic systems.
This video pushes past the demons that are screaming all the words about how terrible you are or how awful others are – the whole victim consciousness routine that separates you from all of humanity…and therefore from healing…and you’re positive NO ONE can understand…which is an integral part of the wound.
God Bless you from the bottom of my heart..!!
I am a former Marine Corps officer. During my tour, I met many men who were as hard core as they they come. These men were deeply committed to their mission, their troops and the Corps. Often this complete immersion, with such enormous responsibility, comes at great personal cost. I found this video full of truths with all its innuendoes, humor and, encouragement that would invite service people (men and women) to be able relax enough to engage in healing themselves. It brought a kind of lightness to my day, and helped me understand how I now find myself teaching Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction in a large engineering company. Thank you Ruth and Pamela for bringing an important reality to this work.
This is a marvelous video. The narrative is direct and straight from the heart. Dave’s intro creates a “bridge” between the disparate cultures of the military and the therapeutic milieu. The video was graphic in a very effective may, and the music and the tone of David’s voice were very effective in eliciting a sense of toughness and tenderness at the same time. What a wonderful collaboration—and a therapeutic success!
I have worked for many years with client who have experienced trauma and loss for overy thirty five years. I have had the copportunity to be exposed to Belleruth’s healing ten years ago due my ovwn trauma. I found her material both healing and enlightening. Through the years I have used many of her material with my clients. Now listening to this fabulous material for our military is awesome. We are preparing as a mental health commuinity to work with our heroes so this is not only timely but a very important piece for treatment of our warriors.
Excellent. Thanks so much for putting this together. A special thank you to Dave for sharing his insight and educating so many of us and for his service to the country. Dave, I admire your courage to speak up and get people to listen. You are continuing to work for a better tomorrow.
Amazing! Great intro! Go where they are. Funny, got their attention and a great lead in to what is to come, and they heard it from a brother. Doesn’t get any better than this. How can we get a copy of this video? It would be extremely helpful to show to some of our “tougher” clients.
I was looking forward to watching and listening to this presentation but the quality of it on the computer was very poor. It was stopping every few seconds and really impossible to watch. Thanks for making this information available but please make it more accessible.
Thank you very much, Belleruth has done such a good work in her life with her visualizations. She has inspired me to trust in this tool and indeed, it helped me very much with my clients. Once again, she brings something very interesting.Thank you Ruth for sharing all this.
I was totally amazed by the visdeo. After having learned about neuroplasticity and how our brain receives and stores information, it made perfect sense for me. Soldiers are train to recieve orders and to be stimulated by being “tough”. I guess this introduction gives them a sense of trust and allows them to go into de guided imagery with a sense of doing their duty? The way I see it, is like “tricking”the brain to receive the guided imagery. I wonder if after having listened for a while to this introduction, they will be able to go right away into the imagery? Thank you for sharing the video.
Our experience with the active duty soldiers at Fort Sill is that yes, they are able to go right to the imagery after a brief while – sometimes from only listening to Dave’s intro once. But several of them liked listening to this track over again when they were feeling angry, frustrated or irritated and didn’t want to calm down – they wanted to laugh!
I’ve read the book and utilized Belleruth Naperstak’s guided imagery for truama…it is very powerful. Thank you for offering this opportunity to increase my knowledge about trauma and the mind/body connection.
ALCON (All Concerned), thanks again for your comments. The ones that really ring out to me are the ones of the family members. It is important to note that for every person that suffers from thier trauma types there is possibly a family exposed to the first, second and third order effects. For those whom have lived this trauma life with a VET be it father, mother, son or daughter thanks for not giving up on them!
I love the narrative and development of a new direction on the therapist’s DVD series. I was thinking of myself while listening to part of series introduced by the retired
Serviceman. I actually have had years being part of corporate America. I had grown into a pretty tough businesswoman now returning to school and becoming
a psychotherapist….talk about a culture clash! It took me awhile to realize it was the culture clash was effecting me. I survived that period but will never forget it.
I believe this DVD series, even though geared towards veterans may help many others who have lived their own wars. Thank you for this discussion and topic!
I have been a huge fan of Belleruth Naparstack for many years and have used her guided imagery CDs with a variety of patients over the years. My all time favorite guided imagery has been her guided imagery to healing PTSD. Yesterday I had a few moments before heading to my private practice to see patients and I watched this free video from NICABM and was delighted to learn that there is a new introduction to the guided imagery that is made specifically for military personnel by military personnel. My third patient of the day was a new patient. He came into my office and was pacing back and forth stating that he retired from the military in 2008, but his wife is insisting that she picked up a pamphlet on PTSD and that she believes he is suffering from this war related injury.
It took most of the session to just get the patient to sit down in the chair and face me to talk. At the end of the session I shared with the patient that there is guided imagery specifically for military personnel. The patient readily agreed to try it. He made an appointment for next week and last night I purchased the MP3. I am looking forward to seeing how he reacts to this intervention next week when we meet. I will refer him to the website to purchase this item if he has a positive response. Synchronicity!!!
The one cautionary note I would like to share is just as the original intro did not work for that individual, the new intro may not work for all veterans. Granted military culture is very different from civilian culture, but not all military personnel are the same nor share the same needs.
Absolutely spot on, Suzanne. No silver bullet for all with any intervention, including this intro.
And you’ll find quite a few warriors already know how to meditate like a champ – some of them learned how during their training to stay calm and focused under pressure.
And you’ll also find that some officers won’t be so amused by the rough talk of this audio.
As you say, everyone is different, even in the context of a common military subculture.
I so appreciate Gertrude and Sandy Mitchell’s comments. They opened the lens to the bigger picture of what is happening.
Yes, this is wonderful
healing for soldiers. It is also a great learning/reminder to meet people where they are.
But can we please not ignore how our acceptance of a crazy status quo perpetuates the enormous pain in the world? I see the need for people to
hold a larger vision of a world in harmony. Not just healing the local pain, which yes, is of course necessary and important.
I really enjoy reading the comments from people around the world. What great potential lies here to unify the world consciousness and move it in a healthy direction! In my mind the guided imagery is a picture of the earth in space…floating in the vastness. As I move closer there is
a sense of peace and harmony, equality, safety, enough for all. Inspiration, creativity, joy abounds.
This is a powerful introduction. I can understand how this is going to capture the attention of those who have had the training that he’d had in his military life. The power of his own story as he told of his personal loss has tremendous impact and answers a traumatized and grieving person’s thought “you don’t know how it feels to have gone through what I have.” It is a powerful endorsement. Thank goodness Belleruth that you were a professional who was willing to listen and learn. Thank you for sharing this story I would love to hear how the tape transitions to the guided imagery part what in NLP terms we might think of as ‘Pace and lead’. It was such a wonderful teaching example for me thank you.
This was a great thing to share. Dave’s approach is so right on. While I don’t work with former warriors professionally, I live with one. It is amazing to me the extent to which his war days experiences are so ever present. Of course individual coping methods differ widely but I feel it is important for us to understand a few basic things about the front line environment: the bonding; the interdependence and fierce loyalty to buddies which is each individual’s essential lifeline alter life forever. Dave’s approach utilizes his reality to reach and hopefully influence an otherwise hostile client.to participate in a venue which could really be helpful. Thank you both for the personal and professional expansion you continue to offer us.
I am currently studying Warrior at Ease curriculum. I am seeking to incorporate meditation guided imagery, breathing and other yoga practices into my practice with person’s suffering from PTSD and others wanting to relax and heal. I think this video is very timely for me to see a great example of bridging the cultures and connecting to the warrior’s world. Thanks for sharing this. How do I get a copy?
Thank you so much for this insightful, powerful and useful video. I’m bowled over by it, in a good way. Dave bridges the enormous gap, that we professionals who have no military connections, have failed to do, leaving us feeling bad. I love the way you talked about the morning ritual (a noisy one) being calming, familiar and soothing to the soldiers. I understand how come that is, now. Many thanks.
Thank you, Belleruth and Ruth, for sharing such a valuable, insightful video. Can you just imagine how his fellow comrades will feel listening to those powerful, insightful words? This is empowering to the soldier seeking help as well as the therapist seeking to heal. I love the way he leads his comrades, identifying with the military lifestyle and connecting even more through his heart-wrenching story about the loss of his son, bonding with his fellow soldiers, matching their experiences, and empowering them to open to the healing that is available through the use of guided imagery as well as giving them permission to get in touch with feelings/emotions. I am moved to tears by this very special soldier who just gave us a tremendous gift in his rendition of establishing rapport and allowing us to observe his magnificent ability to LEAD. It is a true blessing for us! Thank you so very much!
I am not a soldier, however I am very interested in the myriad of ways that people are finding to reach out and touch each other. Great job! Once again, those who have been there lead the way for the others
It is the rapport and connection that will affect the positive change in learning or letting go. As a yoga instructor I find fascinating to know your population and talk to them. Personally I use poetry, story tellings and words from the soul in reaffirming students in the classes. I also know inmediately when a yogi is not connected to this, so I approach different to ge the hook. I am glad to see this phenomena with the army community. Thank you.
Perfect meeting of the minds via the middle man
Intense major steps taken from bringing a client that is incongruent and anxious, into a place of congruency by starting off in their safe place with famiiliar tones and words via a middle man who experiences empathic understanding of the militarys internal frames of reference and is then able to communicate this experience to the soldier addressing the woo woo and getting them past it for healing by using his own pain and suffering… referral system at its best!
Whoa-brought ters to my eyes- I have practiced meditation since child hood (presently 73) and this is exceptional as know many who this will open door for and be real
Brought tears to my eyes as have had past military traumas and possession in my life that were difficult to work with and like spoken I too have put the 45 in my mouth in former days – Fortunately at Holos (did graduate wotk there ThD) i did a session at ORP in 2004 where I realsed the possession
though I have meditated all these years this is defintely ideal for so many and especially those who have had to harden them selves
I would like to see results of this combined with PLT and hope tobe able to use it in thisfashin, as think the two would work excellent with each other
think this is spot on and know many I think who would benefit from it
In fact will refer to some folks I know
Tom Mount ND,PhD, ThD
This video reminded me of my late-husband – and I fully understand how this would have worked for him and his soldiers. I will definitely share with my friends who work with soldiers and others in high-risk, intense professions. Thank you!!
Because I am not a licensed mental health professional I do not treat mental illness or PTSD. My work is more goal oriented. But I have attracted a couple of soldiers, active and inactive for card readings and help with acclimating to civilian life. I watched your video and I could not agree more with your premise that we need to appeal to a persons culture or as I would call it their dominant archetype. The few soldiers I have worked with have very strong warrior archetypes and when I talk to them I talk to them like they are still in service and I call them on their “sh**” as needed. I would not talk to a person who invoked more of a nun or monk archetype but I can see how this would appeal to the warrior. I am very excited to see you understand and have put into practice what is needed to appeal to the individual.
I have used Belleruth’s guided imagery programs for my own healing journey. This was a very moving video and a wonderful point was made…. to find creative ways to help people by meeting them where they are. Thank you Ruth for shariing this, and thank you both Ruth and Belleruth for all the years of dedication to your work and helping others.
I have had experience of working with a few ex-military servicemen (my son is in this category) are
1. taught to operate as a team (the whole team can’t be wrong)
2. taught to think on their feet (the strategy can’t be wrong)
3. taught to be self reliant in emergency conditions (they can’t be wrong)
Yet when everything does go wrong – they are left to piece together what is left of their lives. Nothing makes sense to them. Soft voices and ‘tree hugging’ music bear no relation to how they feel inside. It isn’t ‘the way in’. Instead of the client entraining to the therapist it makes sense to me that the therapist should initially entrain to the client.
I relly respect that soldier’s input and believe he has opened the door for other tough guys to benefit from Guided Imagery and has taught all of us the import of meeting the client where he/she currently is located, emotionally and cognitively.
This video really touched my heart. In EFT tapping, we meet the client where they are at. And how clever to bring that into guided imagery. I can see how Vets will be able to relate to this introduction (their comfort zone) and to prepare them to feel safe enough to relax their mind and body. Dave you did an awesome job!
Annie Siegel Alexander- EFT Advanced Practitioner/Hypnotherapist
Unfortunately the presentation stopped every few words, so it required all my patience (and I DO have plenty), to listen through to the end. I found the presentation and the message to be worth the extra time required, but it would be much better if the video was reviewed so that it could be more fluent.
Hello Mary,
I am sorry you had a problem loading the video. If you do have this problem again we suggest pausing the video (using the controls at the bottom of the screen) and letting it load for 1-2 minutes before continuing to watch it. We also find that many problems are fixed by using Google Chrome as the internet browser.
Thank you,
Brandon
NICABM
How grateful I am that my freelance education covered this way back – in Scientology with the emotional level scale I learned that one must approach another on a very near emotional level as they are on or they will not tune in. Now you might say “Oh hell – another of those damn Scientologists!”… You have another think coming if this is the case – they couldn’t take my soul hostage with their manipulations any more than Airborne, Military Police could in the Viet Nam era! I am very fortunate to be able to sit through most any manipulative procedure and not react to it, but to study it and why it works on so many. I have empathy for those who become sheep by these methods and thus dedicate my life to learning how to help them out of the trances they are subjected to. I truly appreciate what I have learned from you, Ruth, and others as well. Now when I can get over the traumas inflicted by the one weakness I have – falling for the charms of manipulative females – I can go forth helping others. Funny, isn’t it? How I can resist forces like the mean old First Sargent, and even the Drill Instructors – but would fall for the poor me stories. This is because my mother programmed me that men were meant to serve women… Re-programming in progress!
Awesome. How is it possible that this brazen, bold, loud intro made me feel like i had been given back a part of my own voice – because honesty, openness, and vulnerability will lead us all, every time. Dave’s voice reached right into my heart. His authenticity and honesty speaks to and for everyone who has ever had a part of his or her self shut down; waiting to come out again. THANK YOU for the willingness to put this together, the quality of the product, and for sharing it . . . THANK YOU to each of you who participated !!! THANK YOU so much, Mary Ellen
When the gentleman opened up with the drill, I was alarmed and somewhat disappointed, but as he continued in his rapid fire way of speaking, I began to fall in line and got interested in his story. I feel the introduction is good. But I have not heard the guided imagery aspect. I would like to see how the two different voices and messages pair up.
Thank you Belleruth! It is a challenge guiding people with PTSD through relaxation. What a wonderful gift you have given our GIs. You have demonstrated what Pema Chodrum teaches…”Start where you are.”
Thank you for this. I loved the video. It is so important to meet people where they are with GI and I would have made the same mistake with a soldier that I had treated I am sure.
This is a wonderful example of how to be more effective as practitioners and it demonstrates so ably how art and creativity are always an important and effective part of the work we do.
For us to always to honour each indivual and to deeply listen and be flexible.
Fantastic thank you.
I have just started working with Australian Indigenous Youths. Most have multiple traumas including intergenerational ones. I shall consult them about how to introduce guided imagery.
It blew me away with its forcefulness and directness. I see how appropriate the introduction is to reach people who, like Dave, are suffering from the impact on their minds of being regularly under extreme conditions requiring the highest levels of resilience and courage in the face of traumatic events and circumstances.
It brings to the fore the importance to always speak the client’s language, and not only literally, as a way of connecting with the client where they are at and of creating a safe, congruous context in which they are able to reground themselves and regain a healthy hold on their lives.
I’m a community counselor. I’m also the wife of a serviceman and the daughter of a police officer. This intro and the soldier behind it are perfectly in step with the needs of our brave men and women who serve. He is connecting with clients in their reality. A fantastic resource. Thanks for serving those who serve.
Thank you, Ruth, and Belleruth, Dave, and George! I am seeking outside the box approaches for lowering the fight or flight response in my couples when one or both have a short trigger yet low pulse rate. Seems to be happening in ones with a lot of chronic and severe body pain. i have been making referrals for alternative med for pain mgmt and elimination, but want to be able to deliver mindfulness training that works for them-so far, deep breathing aint it!
Also, a funny memory I have is of listening to Belleruth’s guided imagery for pregnancy and childbirth 11 years ago. There is a phrase in there that always gave me an initial “ACK!” and then later I could just laugh about it which is also good : “…all the women that came before you and will come after you…”
The one thing I would change about that intro was the assumption that listeners will have to be on meds for the rest of their lives. We are finding in the last 2 years since Robert Whitaker’s book Anatomy of an Epidemic there is a shift in paradigm coming where psych meds are being questioned based on Whitaker’s careful research and expose. Here in Portland, Oregon we have a movement called Rethinking Psychiatry and next week is our second annual symposium! http://www.rethinkingpsychiatry.org/
I am looking forward to more of these awesome shifts to better solutions of wellness!
It was so insightful and in hindsight, seems so obvious and logical. Speaking to someone in a familiar voice really was the key. I am glad to have had the opportunity to learn about this.
This is wonderful. It made me cry so that is always a good marker in my book. I know we will now have a gazillion more soldiers and veterans trying guided imagery now than ever before. What could be better?
Stands to reason when you train and ingrain in a warrior the need to be tough as nails, it will take the other end of the hammer to pull out the nails that have been deeply hammered in him. (You can quote me, I just made this up!) So this is the other end of the hammer, what Belleruth has to offer. But just to be open to listen to it takes guts. And this wonderful man has stepped forward to offer his hand to his brothers, and sisters in the armed forces.
I will do my part to spread the word. I work at an EAP helping police, firefighters, EMTs, older and newly discharged armed service vets, and disaster workers and victims alike. I always recommend Belleruth’s company, her guided imagery and the others she promotes.
Thanks for another great product.
JoAnn Murphy, MS, LCSW
Thank you for sharing, I really appreciate this. It touched me deeply. It is easy to foresee how important it is to meet the client, or anyone for that matter, where the client is, but instead of going forward in an idea of what you think is the appropriate approach. Even though I have this in mind your approach was outside of my box and I loved it. Great reminder!
I love the video – The experience of the soldier when he met the psychotherapist and the introduction to the guided imagery. Thanks for sharing.
This video demonstrates – “Meeting clients where they are.” It is very important especially while working with clients from a culture that is different than our own.
Having worked in domestic violence field for 15 years I absolutely agree with this The approach needs to meet the person where they are at this point in time. This soldier has it just right well done and Thanks
Tears in my eyes! As a practitioner, but also as the mother of two Marines ( 5 tours of duty in the Middle East between them ), this hit home for me.
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful!
WOW! I’m so very grateful to have heard this intro. it teared me up. Having survived childhood with a soldier Father and sexual abuse, I raised a son; a soldier, who has attempted to end his life twice. To have Dave’s Hard Ass voice connect to a place in me; I’ve been unable to all me life, is a life line. I know a number of Hard Cores that could really use this thunder to break through their resistance. Thanks
I related to it.and it is true cultures have to be a recognition when treating a person with ptsd. I truly believe this manner is an excellent step in helping many people. tThank You for sharing
Awesome, I love his cadence. It makes so much sense. From my studies in Music therapy we would use music to meet people where they are and then slowly change the music to go where they wanted to be. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Well, there it is, isn’t it? Be where the client is. I have heard that and said that to supervisees for more than thirty years. It works in the context a talk therapy. Why not introduce the relaxation exercise with “soldier contextual” language. Good idea, Dave! Thanks so much for cluing us therapists in!
I attended Belleruth’s PTSD Workshop in Atlanta two weeks ago. This is powerful follow-up to an amazing day with Belleruth!! Thank you for making it available, Patricia
I have been working in Somalia in 91, just after Siad Barre was chased from Mogadiscio. It was a hell of an experience to work in a place full of war-crazed children and civilians, I worked there for half a year and the experience changed my life, I had a debriefing with a psychotherapist who was so upset about the stories I told, that I stopped seeing her. I never shared my stories with anyone, it was to gruesome. I listened to your video and was amazed that I recognised the feelings and sayings of David! It is a good way to reach traumatised soldiers/ workers who were in a war-zone! Thank you for this.
I am so grateful to hear this story, particularly, how Dave would changed the idiosyncrasy of the psychotherapist, towards her new therapeutic approach to different individuals with different professional formation or backgrounds.Also how she was opened mind to hear and get into this new challenge!
I have been working with terminal patients in the UK, most of them with military structure and really ex-military. I have learned that I have to talk and think at the some level as a soldier or someone with military education (using military intonation, strong and firm) even regards their medication, special diet, hygiene, and everything that involves to met their needs for a better quality of life until the end (and how impressed me is that later on they call me and ask me to talk to them). As a result, their acceptance has been beyond my imagination, has even prolonged their lives expectancy (months and years) and their families are happy too. I have the most fascinating experience with them! As a physician and psychotherapist, I am trilled that we can help patients to accept and enjoy life now, using our wisdom, versatility mixing with science and love.
Ruth, I loved it! After the hurricanes I went down to Louisiana for numerous reasons, including my native status and subsequent 30 year absence. What I learned doing psychotherapy groups with these down to earth aging Cajun folk was one thing. When you speak their language, you soothe a part of them that turns from trouble to laughter. Example: Cher! You not givin me trouble first ting in d’morning? My favorite BPD melted like butter. I now use this part of myself, I thought I’d have to abandon back in my adopted New England home, with young people, delightful eccentrics and people of color who’ve been through the roughest of street times. It’s true. Each individual is different. What I love about psychotherapy, is it calls on all my own life experiences and then we get stretched even more. To me there’s no greater calling than getting to be in the present like this. Thanks for the video. I was wondering if I was equipped to deal with this population. Now I’m more open minded.
This makes total sense to me – I’ve always wondered why massage practitioners feel compelled to play dolphin music (and the rest). Treatments, in what ever form they come in, need to be tailored to suit the client, not the other way round. We, as practitioners, are there to facilitate, help guide and support our clients to find a place where they feel comfortable and ready to deal with the things that trouble them. This video is a very good example of how we practitioners need to get over ourselves and stop coming from a place of ego, and rather from a place of compassion. A truly powerful lesson this man speaks and I’m all up for supporting this approach. Continue the great work and if there’s anything I can do to support this in the UK then I will.
This is excellent, and makes worlds of sense. It is so true that the military is a culture unto itself and we must gear our approach to fit.
I’d LOVE to see a Canadian version of this intro. :-)
Thanks for your great work and for helping us to help…..
I agree, .. this direct, plainly spoken introduction to the concept and beneficial effect that guided imagery can provide is most appropriate for the particular group of persons at which it is aimed. As therapists, we can all identify with the absolute need, early in the process of intervention, to establish connection with our clients, especially those who have traumatic psychological injuries. A clinician’s inability to gain rapport and connection with such clients may contribute yet more to their distress. This intro to the DVD and the type of familiarity and identification it provides to soldiers offers an additional and valid way to bridge the sometimes enormous gap perceived between the experiences of e.g. soldiers and non-combatant therapists. I find this website extremely interesting, informative and helpful. Thank you.
I spent 25 years working with military veterans, the soldier is right – we have to meet them where they are at, and they are in a very different state than their therapist – indeed Milton Erickson suggested that “therapists meet all clients where they are, if possible”. I would have thought that the 60% failure rate of traditional psychotherapy is a conservative estimate. Military recruit training, core training and battle experiences are essentially a body, a physical experience – much of their skills and battle experiences are encoded in their physiology, one can see that by the way they walk. Meeting the veteran at their voice is very important – their harsh voice keeps them alert – something that I have emphasised to therapists and counsellors in Australia. Also important is their eyes – their persistent, chronic use of peripheral vision, watching for danger when it is not there. This keeps their body tense. Interventions that encourage macular vision are important. Interventions that soften the body are important. And we’re not even talking about PTSD as of yet! With PTSD it is important to find some way to move trauma memories from implicit memory to explicit memory. Then the veteran can more easily learn about the range of social issues he (they) must deal with
in civilian life. Military experiences turn off the social brain, the above interventions assist in turning it back on again.
This man’s type of emotional response is true to my experience.
So often PTSD clients don’t want to access *help*. It’s kinda sissy.
Physically, on the massage table they at first prefer a firmer treatment.
Once they warm up to touch, if you’re so lucky, gentle methods
go deeper into releasing the issues. Cranial Sacral Therapy helps
percolate and release trauma better than anything I know.
Then hypnosis and CB provide a complete support system.
About lead-ins to relaxation, hypnosis and bio-feedback, I say do
what works.
This is PERFECT for PTSD vets. I worked at the VA with vets who had PTSD and wish I’d had this in my toolbox. They’re such a tough, yet soft underneath, pupulation. I laughed, and I cried while watching this video. This is such a great example of creating products that speak to specific populations and their unique needs. Thank you for sharing, and I will certainly pass this gem on.
This is the exact direction my understanding needed to go at this very time and in this situation that a group of us are dealing with at this precise time!
I would be very glad to be able to purchase a download, or a DVD, if that would become available. Also, a “continuation”, with some more hints with different gentle ways to point toward “Love being the answer”, and not come across to the one who is hurt, as “condescending”/,- “I have learned a better way, – this makes me better than you”, etc., so they could begin to feel accepted unconditionally.
That also would be extremely valuable!
(I hope that didn’t sound like I was diminishing the value of the video as it is, – it is very, very, very, helpful for the setting I am in right now.) And I want to join with everyone else in thanking all those who contributed to that very enlightening learning experience. I hope I can apply it wisely.
Thank you all so much!
Joe
But just so you know, neither Belleruth nor I put this video interview together in an attempt to get you to buy this. We are on a mission here to get these ideas out to everyone.
Also, look in your email this morning, you should have received something about a free report that we just published.
WOW. Wonderful. It makes so much sense to approach clients in their own language. How wonderful it is that this retired soldier developed an intro with the help
of others that had experienced a trauma as well. No one wants to jump into a foreign experience, especially when in a vulnerable state, without some preparation.
Thank you so much for sharing!
This is absolutely “spot on” and what a wonderful gift you have brought to our Service Members Belleruth – YOU have made a significant , positive difference!!!
I was also a bit shocked at the into at first, but surprisingly found it both calming and empowering. I became disabled from TBI after being hit by a drunk driver 6 years ago. It has been a long road back and I have been committed to doing the work with my therapist. I was a successful take charge PR professional. So taking a step back to focus on a recovery for six years can become frustrating and defeating. I lost my mom last year and that grief slowed the process. The hardest part is the guilt that I couldn’t get well faster. That there’s something more I could be doing. People look at you and say, you look fine how could you have a brain injury? And you learned early that mentioning the depression either makes people look at you like you just need to pull it together or as if that means you might be crazy. So you avoid the topics all together to keep from being wounded further. So you start to think why can’t I just get it together and get my life back? About 3 months ago I started listening to guided imagery from Bellruth and it has been a tremendous support. But when you feel a need to just rush recovery and pull your life together, sometimes you can feel guilty spending time in your happy place. It almost feels like a guilty luxury. This introduction made me feel like someone was finally giving me permission to own my recovery and not apologies for it. My therapist does that yes, but their was something different about hearing this warrior take charge of his recovery. The into made me feel that their is true value in this work that I’m doing and this fight that I’m fighting. That this work is no less valuable that the work I did when I had a fancy job title. Thank you
Hilarious!! I have used Belleruth’s CD’s with most of my classes (Psych of Death/Dying, Psych of Loss/Grief) and there are everyday, noncombat folks who also cannot relate well to the soothing music and voice. This is so real and human. Thanks for the intro… truly tells it like it is.
Thank you for sharing this powerful story as presented by Belleruth Naparstek. The soldier’s experience and his introduction to the GIM recording are remarkable. In music therapy we talk about the iso-principle which involves matching the music to the patient’s mood. It seems to me that this remarkable patient will reach many other trauma survivors by matching his introductory message to the listener’s mood – and needs. Bravo to him and to Belleruth!
I believe this video has much value for everyone; lay person, professional, veteran, and current soldier alike. It’s a teaching for all of us. After a guided imagery, one of my former clients (at a 9 stress level) said she felt like she just took a Xanax. It took all of 5 minutes We must do whatever it takes to help allow our clients feel they can trust us, feel safe, and feel comfortable. Ruth, I have passed this along to a friend who served in Viet Nam and asked him to pass it along to his army buddies for their thoughts and feelings. I end all my sessions with a guided imagery…even if it is for two minutes and the feedback is amazing.
I believe this intro will influence many men who have experienced trauma to give guided imagery and try and become healthier for it! Kudos to Belleruth for her willingness to be open to new ways of presenting the material, and working with others to improve the collective work of Guided Imagery. Awesome!
1.You should address the trauma experiences, in its own language- in the language of war – in this case.
2.The trauma survivers need someone to share their experiences who are able to bear the unbearable, can and want to hold it, contain it, go through the whole experience with the client. Usually it is the first condition to make themselves to exposure again. The trauma survivors should make sure that he will be in secure during this , with a person who can reach him, and strong enough to share the carrying of “rugsack” with him, to risk reliving the monstrosities. – Who could be more valid helper than a former fellow?
A professional helper from “normal life” is often not familiar with these experiences in emotionally, just only cognitive, and not seems to be enough valid, enough strong, or reachable for the survivor to accept him/her and her tools (bringing from the “normal life” ).
Thanks for the video, it is very nice.:)
Im looking forward to get know about the further results of your work!
This is an excellent video that will reach a whole new population of trauma survivors. Being a survivor myself, plus the daughter of a Marine Corps drill sergeant, this really spoke to me and showed me that there are many ways to meet people where they are at with their individual trauma & personality. The important thing is making someone feel comfortable enough to keep coming for help after taking that huge first step. This is fantastic!!
Thank you so much for making this video available . It immediately reminded me of what we have learned about ourselves from infant research. Dr. Beatrice Beebe illustrates this beautifully when she demonstrates and mimics what attuned parents do instinctively. They initially approach the crying infant in a high pitched tintense voice, just a couple of notches lower than the infant’s intensity and pitch and then gradually only when that has caught the infant’s attention do they begin to lower the pitch and intensity and thus re -regulate the infant. I think this is also what is being aimed at here. These guys cannot be on board unless they are met where they are . Actually I think this lesson could apply to many traumatized patients and perhaps we need other recordings that initially are at a faster and more intense pitch and gradually come down to where a healthy system lives.
I work at a behavior health hospital, teaching Yoga and Meditation to active duty Service Members, in recovery with PTSD, chemical dependency or dual diagnosis. The challenge is alway getting the Service Member to choose to take the classes. The video gave me some new ideas on how to language the marketing materials I am creating to promote the classes to the patients.
The challenge is always the perception of the activity, and ,upon release, the availability of support when they return to their posts.
Thank you Dave, thank you George, thank you Bellaruth and thank you Ruth! You have created a moving and wonderful tool for our vets and our first-responders. Also, thanks for challenging all professionals to remain open minded and to consider new ways to meet individuals “where they are.”
And so the student becomes the teacher …. it is such a grateful feeling to see and understand your willingness to “open awareness” while providing dedicated and humanistic services to those in need. Blessings to you, Belleruth Naparstek and Ruth Buczynski in your work.
Thank you for sharing your work. It shows importance of building rapport and matching energy level of client to start with and leading him to a calmer energetic state where he is more receptive to the more gentle visualisation techniques. I wish him continued health and happiness.
In the OT mental health field we work hard to meet our pts. where they are. We are continually looking for new coping tools for their personal tool box that assist them in living their lives to the fullest. I have introduced many of health journey’s guided imagery CD’s to my groups.
Your message of meeting the person where they are is perfect! What a wonderful colabortion! Thank you so much for sharing this video !!!!
As in many helping professions, there is interest in mine in aiding military personnel and vets. I will be sharing this with my colleagues. We provide bodywork (massage and passive movement) in warm water which can evoke even more strongly the softness of voice and approach that is being reconsidered here. Aside from the use of language and tone that more effectively matches the receiver’s own … I’m reminded of how, with people who are wound-up or muscle-bound-up such that their bodies also carry that tension, it can be more effective to begin bodywork with firm, deliberate, maybe faster, movements. This can (counterintuitively) help them to relax, while anything softer can be intensely irritating. (Of course, you do need to know that this will be safe for them if they have had injuries that preclude that.) After a while, it is possible to tone the bodywork down, in the same way that we hear this soldier’s voice toning down as the video extract proceeeds. Many thanks for this valuable video and all the comments made.
As a Psychotherapist who has worked with adult survivors of severe abuse for nearly 30 years and who has used and recommended Bellaruth’s Cd’s for just about forever, I was in awe of this powerful new introduction and the courage of this man to step up and let all of us learn from him. This will be so useful for so many. I know that just listening to his experience with the “old” introduction, his reactions, and listening to the new introduction, I have learned so much. All I can say is a big THANK YOU!
Thank you for sharing this. It is very moving story on many levels…. Thanks also for the introduction and for reminding us Culture includes experiences and life styles.
As the wife of a retired combat veteran, I found myself in tears shortly after the 1SG’s intro began. It is amazing and I know will help many many soldiers embrace something helpful they may have otherwise rejected. It took YEARS of me listening to it all the time to get my husband to listen to Healing Trauma in its traditional version, but when he eventually did, it helped him come back to himself and to me and I am so thankful. I can’t wait to show him this new intro because I know he will be excited it is now in a format that he might be able to introduce to his buddies. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!
My father was a U.S. Army veteran, a Nisei (second generation Japanese American) whose military experience during World War II was highly formative. His role model for being a father was drill sergeant. As a result, my brother and I were trained by our father to snap to attention, march, take the “at ease” stance, do “KP” for meal preparation, and instead of being spanked we did push-ups. I am a big fan of guided imagery, having used it myself since 2008 with very good results, and I know that one of the biggest problems in effectiveness is whether the person listening is soothed by the recorded voice, or irritated by the recorded voice, and this is a highly personal matter. I’m excited by the video presented here, since it provides an energizing, practical, and very touching bridge between the world of some soldiers, the trauma they’ve experienced, and guided imagery’s helpful toolbox. What I don’t see in this video are images of our many military personnel who self-identify as African American, Asian Pacific Islander American, and darker-skinned Latina/o, or anyone who might upon recognition be perceived as a “person of color,” regardless of their ethnicity. I think with the inclusion of more diverse military persons, that this video would be much more effective.
Hi Belleruth,
I appreciate your taking time to respond to the posts that Gertrude made. I can’t speak for Gertrude (though I’d very much like to speak with her), but my message was in no way an exhortation to try to bring politics into the treatment room. My comments were aimed at the community of treatment providers, to perhaps start to look at the contexts in which our clients acquired their wounds, so that we don’t miss the forest for the trees.
I spent 15 years as a domestic violence therapist, working with guys who had gotten tagged ‘perpetrators.’ Given the number of VN-era aged clients I had, I learned to anticipate that about once a year, one of my clients would experience a total life-meltdown during his time in our treatment program. Some unanticipated situation in their life would trigger a major unraveling of any prior stability in their life. Their marriage or relationships would dissolve, alcohol and drug problems would intensify as they struggled to regain a sense of control. Usually they would call me and describe their condition just prior to entering a psychiatric and/or drug treatment program as a first step in the long, slow process of re-building their lives.
When they were stable enough to re-enter our DV treatment program I would take as much time as they wanted and needed to process the recent chaos they’d lived through. It was always the case that something had triggered a war-related PTSD event that they’d never been able to share. Sometimes it involved their facing having participated in an atrocity that they’d been pressured to participate in, and had then been ordered to never talk about. They carried a burden of shame that finally burst free from wherever they’d damned it away. Thankfully none of my Vet clients committed suicide, and facing their shame began a healing process for them. As I witnessed their suffering the totally predictable effects of their having tried to ‘be a good soldier’ in an unnecessary war, my silent question was always, “Why? Why do we put people through these experiences?” I hear a lot about how ‘our troops are over there keeping us safe.’ I don’t buy it. I see a lot more evidence that as a nation we’re inflicting huge amounts of damage on these soldiers and the countries we’ve invaded under pretexts that don’t stand up to much scrutiny.
Belleruth, I think you’re doing wonderful work. And I liked the video clip presented here, because I’ve always found that the only thing that works for me in any kind of treatment setting, and with any population of clients, is to be conscious of their need to be accepted and met where they are. So I’m happy that the Vets you work with and for are getting the great benefit of your great heart.
That said, I am troubled by my observation that psychology (and associated fields in the human services) are so caught up in ‘pulling the victims out of the water’ that we’re not even talking about how we might ‘go upstream to stop whoever’s pushing them in.’
Perhaps you know of some association of practitioners that is exploring how we, as professionals, might become more organized and affiliated in such a way that we can work towards ‘working ourselves out of a job’ so to speak. I don’t know of such an effort, and would love to hear from anyone who might know of one.
I don’t think my profession requires me to withdraw from the larger social conversation about the extremely negative direction our society is headed in, especially when it involves our nation’s policies damaging the numbers of Vets we see. The amount of trauma we’re unnecessarily inflicting on ourselves and others is going to be straining our resources and eroding our social fabric for a long, long time to come…
Wow, I have worked in the past with returning soldiers. I wish I would have had this Video/CD! As others have stated meeting the client where they are is the key to the human connection. I have worked with several returning veterans and their families. I believe if I had been able to share these tools with my clients and their families the benefit would have been tremendous.
Also, I have a son that has done four tours, three to Iraq and one to Afganistan. i believe that if he had a chance to experience this type of psychotherapy he would be much farthur along in his journey with the healing process. Thank you and bless you for sharing this video. I will definitely share the information with my family and other professionals.
Between the tears and the laughter my husband and I watched this together. Many combat vets among our families and friends so this is close to our hearts. Had heard the cd with Dave’s voice and sent it on to my dear brother…Vietnam combat vet…several months ago. The changes/healing he is experiencing are touching all of our lives with joy. Seeing the video is even more amazing. Passing it on!
Thankyou so much, Ruth and Belleruth…you are a pretty darn dynamic duo yourselves!
This introduction isn’t just for official warriors.
Many people, even women, carry this warrior mentality in everyday life. A way I know this to be so is that I am in the exercise world. The demand for boot-camp, kick-butt leaders will over-crowd a room and cause sign-ins to be necessary so there is enough room that people don’t kick each other in the work-out.
When employment has sagged, gym membership and this beat-yourself-up stuff, even in yoga, has increased. People blame themselves for things they didn’t cause, and then they want to get beat up, as penitence.
No pain/no gain is not official policy in gyms any more. Now it is somewhat forbidden fruit, and over-working-out persists.
Suicide is an epidemic all over the planet right now. In China, overwhelmed women in the countryside drink pesticides. The suicides in India have been well publicized. In places where cost of living is high and employment unavailable, we see the sad consequence often on the news.
The only place I know of that has reduced its suicide rate dramatically is Western Lapland. There, a method of dealing with first instance of severe emotional challenge has been invented and implemented. It is called Open Dialogue, and it works to get at the ideation that underlies disagreements and unhappiness among individuals and their social environments.
This introduction will help more people than those it was specifically designed for. Warrior culture is widespread. Thank you for putting this up on the net.
After working as both a staff RN and also as a supervisor at a VA hospital, I understand why this would work. Working 20 years in emergency nursing and EMS. I can relate with the “tough guy” and no non-sense approach this takes. I can also understand why Dave bolted from the first session. Listening within the person’s context, whether as a nurse or psychotherapist, is essential to build trust and rapport. This introduction is great for those who have not been in the military and would not understand the military culture. I was glad the pictures showed both men and women, different services and ranks which is important to who is in service now. Wonderful video and well done.
Well done! At the first International Symposium for Contemplative Studies held in Denver CO this last April 26-29, we struggled with the same issue: how to bring mindfulness to our patients with addiction who can’t sit still. This example is showing the way.
I had to learn about the cultural differences of First Responders, Police, Firemen & Iron Workers, in the midst of responding to Ground Zero.
Belleruth was kind enough to send along with me to the WTC her PTSD tapes. As I shared with Belleruth upon my return, they were not received well by the men on site, which was where we were. I wish I could have taken THIS version of Belleruth’s guided imagery to the World Trade Center.
But now we have it!!!!! Woo HOOO!!! I am so grateful to Dave for being willing to step into this form of support and educate the rest of us about just how important this ‘approach’ can be.
I am currently in training with WAE (Warriors at Ease) to teach yoga and meditation to vets.
the intro to this video is very powerful, and a reminder that it is so necessary to “start where we are”
and the importance of understanding military culture. In our training, we emphasize the creating of a “safe container”
Even though I have been an instructor for over 25 years, the WAE training is specific to the warrior mindset.
This is a great intro.Very moving! Several years ago I had the opportunity of being part of an interview team for operation “Battle Mind.” It was a real eye opener. Even though I spent eight years in the Air Nation Guard, and the Air Force Reserve, I never saw the extreem conditions our returing GI’s have witnessed. From the small sample of men and women I interviewed, my rough guess was that there were about 10% PSTD. Their fear was that they did not want to have their true feelings known . If so, they might be seen by the others as not strong enough, or be passed over. Denial was very much part of the situation. Some, in civilian life, were still carrying their weapons, and “hitting the deck” at any loud sound. I worry for those returning vets as we bring the remaining troops home in the year to come.
This effort is a great example of encouraging the treatment recipient to be the driving force of their recovery and growth! Also, I’m greatly pleased to see the collaboration between providers and the use and application of raw cultural input into the treatment.
I really appreciate that you put out this video. I have been pondering how I could avail myself to the veterans coming back. I have an opportunity to sign up to a program called “Give an Hour”. This program is for veterans and the therapist offers an hour of therapy per week pro bono for a year to veterans. I was wary to sign up because I was not sure if I would be able to connect with them due to being a civilian all of my life and not sure if I could understand their experiences. This video gives me the confidence of realizing that we all have skill sets that can benefit this population. Thank you Ruth for this wonderful video and all that you do.
This of course makes perfect sense. Thank you for sharing it. So the idea is to use this introduction prior to having the client listen to the guided imagery… how do we get a copy of it?
I learned that “relaxation therapy” ONE SIZE FITS ALL did NOT work for chronic pain patients either, especially those who were “just an expense number on an accountant’s spreadsheet in workers’ compensation” and the goal was to “get rid of you”. The patients were numbers, not people; then I became one and I took it all personally and it took YEARS to realize I was NO PERSON to them, just a “too smart” patient they could not get rid of. Almost a degree in sociology taught me to study the “entrainment to meet the diagnostic expectations” and become who they expected me to be. I too rebeled. No therapy out there helped me and the thousand or so WC patients who had been injured 8+ years and had over 800 sessions of therapy and been blamed for their ‘failure.’ My clinic became so unique and so successful if we were not “right on track” in 3 sessions we staffed them and figured our how WE WERE FAILING THEM. The average finished and exited the system in 10,2 visits as useful, proud adults again, by taking control and learning to tell health professionals who to treat them using new behaviors that were not in the rule book written in 1956 on “How to be a good patient”. They took back what other therapists and MDs had taken away – their adult role in life and we wrote a new rule book. I invented new therapies as all traditional ones failed me, so we built new ones that worked. The first change I had to make was to LISTEN to them and HEAR what they said, show them they were right – they had REAL PAIN – and became coach [not therapist] so they developed their solution to controlling their pain, trashed the stigma and failure labels, adapted goals a bit and returned to a life they could be proud of. Trauma changes every cell in the body so the sooner they understood, the sooner they changed course, and got on with their new life with a new ATTITUDE. My website needs pain professionals willing to change paradigms and LISTEN to each person before 800 failed sessions have destroyed the brain, body and spirit. I think this into is great even not having a close personal friend go thru this experience, living in constant pain creates high divorce and suicide. Our 1956 rule book stinks and we need a new one and this is a great start. GREAT JOB!
When I first started my private practice 35 years ago, I seemed to draw mostly Vietnam Veterans. At the time it seemed like a cruel irony as I was barely past my Flower Child years. (Yes, I actually protested war by putting daisies in the barrels of soldiers’ guns.) But for some reason, these guys trusted me anyway and kept referring their friends to me. The accepted understanding in those days, especially by the Vets, was that if you hadn’t been there (Vietnam), you could never understand. Of course, on one level that is absolutely true. But on another, even if you were there, you had your own individual experience that no one could ever fully get.
For me two things happened.
First, when a Vet just could not believe my empathy for what they’d been through, I would share some of my own story with them.
“While you were over there fighting for our country, I was a Vista Volunteer in the Deep South fighting over here.” Even though my history was completely different, I could honestly say to them “I’d bet anything that what I felt about it was similar to how you felt.” I started calling it “transferring empathy from parallel experiences”. And once a basis for understanding was formed, the dams would break and the flood gates open. (By the way, this helped me feel actual gratitude for the many traumas in my own life.)
The second lesson I learned was priceless and still helping me today. I had this crotchety old long haul trucker as a client. (If you knew me, these clients I was getting would shock you…seemingly so out of context!) He would say to me again and again, “Darlin’, if you want me to believe anything you are sayin’, you’re gonna have to toss in a swear word every now and then!” This was the true beginning of my understanding of meeting my clients where they were, not where I wanted them to be.
Since then, in memory of that old trucker, I will start out in a first session, trusting my gut and speaking what I intuit is the language of my new client. I might even casually insert the F word. This seems to correct any misconceptions the client has formed based on my appearance. Yes, I guess wrong sometimes and am even offensive, but after 35 years, more often I’m right. Then we are off and running.
Watching this poignant video reminded me of all of this and I am grateful to know there are such conscientious practitioners who are dedicated to helping our Vets when they get home.
If the video is freezing while you are trying to watch, please try the following: let the video start and then click on the pause button in the bottom left of the video. Allow the video to load for a few minutes and then click play. This will give the video time to load so that it doesn’t freeze. Many people with slower internet connections have used this trick to watch it continuously.
If you have any questions, please email me: max @ nicabm.com
Belleruth is a friend… did some TV with her years ago. I was also in VN during the wars years. Five years, over a decade. I know Belleruth is the best. One thought about this tape… it’s excellent, but make another version with a normal frame rate. Practically everybody in in the world has broadband now. If you don’t think so, you can offer the VERY SLOW frame rate video as well… but it’s quite frustrating. I NEVER see a video that plays that slowly. Sure, the sound is there, but you have to look away not to feels something’s wrong. Good work, on the whole.
I have known Belleruth Naprstek since she first published her CASSETTES with Time Warner in 1994. We sold them in our retail store before we even knew what they were… but thought the titles would reach a wide range of health or life challenged individuals. Winthin thwo weeks we put the STROKE cassette to use when a colleague’s son suffered a stroke and he was in a coma…. playing the Cassette over and over at his bedside, he awoke the next morning. Over the last 17 years we have sold all of Belleruth’s CDS to individual s and hospitals all over our coutnry… and have seen first hand thier powerful healing impact on all kinds of situations. Sometmes though her soothing voice makes peole wan to to throw the CD opalyer against the wall… myself included when I have been riled up about aomething.
I am a PSTD survivor of over 25 years… and if Belleruth Trauma Cd had been around 25 years ago my life course whould have been very different. As we find the Bless in the Mess, I can now say that the trauma I encountered has shaped my life and I have gone on to help numerous others with their challenges, stresses and traumas…. and to find Peace of Mind….
I applaud this NEW “shape” to Guided Imagery… and can only picture how the military, the prisoners, the police, the abused, and first responders will relate to this introduction….. it is a way to ease into the “woo’woo” and set the scene for tangible healing for the wounded warriors…
Thank you again for the years of amazing research and dedication to healping the most wounded hearts and souls!
This video made perfect sense to me, I will definitely change my approach to warriors, keeping in mind their culture and how they hear information. Thank you so much for this very helpful video.
Dear Ruth, this is great. Thanks for this wonderful insight into working with servicemen and women dealing with being in the front lines, be they soldiers, cops, firemen, medical professionals, etc. Martin Seligman has recently been contracted by the US army to deal more proactively with the realities faced by members or the armed forces. I request you share this work with him – it would make such a difference. Apparenly 40,000 drilll sargents are currently undergoing postivie psychology training! It’s no surprise that David found himself gravitating towards his calm, commanding superior! Regards, Barb Frey
Ma’am, thank you for your thoughtful representation of our story. As well George Patrin and Belleruth for not only hearing and listening but taking action. Your visuals along with the intro are very powerful. This is really all of our story as we can choose to learn valuable lessons from difficult situations. Less than 1% of Americans serve in our Armed Forces and a great many of public servants whom experience tramatic situations daily. These professionals can benefit by having availability to undersatanding mental helath professionals. I thank you and your staff on behalf of my family. Although the loss of my son Nicholas lead me to navigate these perilous waters it is comforting to know others may benefit from such a tragedy. I would also like to thank those who are leaving applicable feedback.
For my fellow Soldiers, Veterans & Retiree’s thank you for your service!!!
Sergeant Rauls, thank you for your service. And for your work with Belleruth on this project. Dave, you will influence many, many people because of this. I’m very committed to helping to get the word out.
This is deeply moving; through tears of gratefulness I listened as Dave spoke so honestly and straight forwardly. As he talked, I heard the intensitiy in his voice gradually begin to decrease and reflect the changes that the guided imagery work has given him. Thank you. Thank you for creating this video, Ruth, and for sharing your work Belleruth.
Just to reiterate what Ruth has already said, the goal of this is to sell the ideas, not the products. That said, Noreen, the person to talk to about ordering the Self-Mastery CD with Dave’s intro on it, in quantity for military installations or VAMC’s, is Elizabeth Hauser: ehauser@healthjourneys.com. She can fill you in on the particulars.
In response to Gertrude’s and Sandy’s comments about the hideous insanity of war and the ugly human behavior it generates, I agree, but would respectfully suggest the obvious: that the therapist’s office is no place for these larger philosophical/ethical musings. Our clients are coming to us for help with their pain and are not interested in having a political conversation (unless they’re leading us on a merry chase of denial and distraction!); nor do they care what we think about this. (When I interviewed several vets about mistakes therapists had made with them in the past, several said “Please don’t share your politics with us! We don’t CARE!!)
Just a reminder that we need to take those thoughts to a different arena, not lay them at the feet of those who come to us for help with alleviating their suffering.
In response to Belleruth. I was invited to speak my mind on this comment board. Up till now, i always felt safe to do so. Even knowing my path through life has led to, what others see as, radical standpoints. This comment board is not the office of a therapist, my reaction was to the tape, and in no way intended as philosophical/ethical musings, which i found to be a hurtful, belittling projection, not worthy of a qualified therapist. Furthermore the argument would not hold any validity for me. When studying feminism at the university of Amsterdam, the first thing i learned was: The personal is politic. Politics does not end before the bedroom door. It enters everywhere, is seeded in the collective field of thinking, believing and viewing the world.
Why do soldiers find this tone of voice soothing should have been the question. In my opinion, most likely, because it works as a hypnotic command, soothing them, regressing them back to times when the drilling/mindbreaking methods were just fantasy, play. Its foul implications not yet visible for the entire world.
Here in the Netherlands the media is no more what it used to be. Often we are fed lies. Critical warjournalists still speak out, are still invited in television programms. But it is as if our collective field, is more influenced by our politics, who as was found out, are often held hostage by americans in power. This view that militaristic training/breaking peoples subconscious minds works, does not stay limited to the military. It is practiced in prisons, breaking adolescent people’s minds, and also used in f.i. Glen Mills homes. Here in the Netherlands many politicians voiced the belief that militaristic camps are the way to go, to correct young allochtones, who took the path of criminality and/or drugs. Meanwhile the damaging effects of Glen Mills homes have now also been researched. Sensitive young men, who underwent that kind of treatment, speaking out on how traumatising it was for them. Furthermore it did not do what was promised. There was no less recidivy.
NICABM has always been for me, how to transcend trauma, especially in young people, and people, like me, who suffer extreme prenatal and early childhood trauma’s. I know firsthand about being beaten into submission by a father, who was legitimised, by the whole family saying he had a temper. Ultimately resulting in him trying to murder me, when 12 years old, by attempting to throw me over the balcony on the 4th floor. My senior brother of just 1 1/2 years older, was just in time. He now says he had to wrestle his own father for it. My mind had already accepted death, and went totally blank after that.
Therapists should be held to a morally higher standard then nontherapists. They should ponder all the effects and consequences of treatmentmethods. They always should make a serious attempt to think about the real causes of a diseased mind and think about how to prevent that.
The military in the US found themselves that their mindbreaking methods, break the minds of the soldiers not only on the battlefield, which is good for obeying commands, but has dire consequences when the veterans come home. Often committing suicide, murdering wives, or going on a murderrampage on innocent people in regular cities/suburbs. They even adopted what was called the dutch approach on their mission in Afghanistan. The military here in the Netherlands also did their research, after many PTSD cases with veterans from Libanon. Soldiers coming home from a mission are first put in a sort of holidayresort in Greece, to get acclimized to civilian life. It was found that that way, for most of the, the amygdala returned to normal size and functioning, even when having suffered tremendous trauma. Only a few continued to suffer PTSD.
Even when against any army, militaristic intervention/prestrike, weapons etc. I still care and take this suffering very seriously. I recognize my own symptoms in the symptoms of veterans. The inability to sleep due to hypervigilance, the flash backs, ageregression etc. Maybe we dutch take accountability after warcrimes more seriously, after having lived through, or having been born just after, the second world war. Here is the International Court in the Hague prosecuting warcriminals.
Personally, having been married to an algerian refugee, whose country was devastated by first the french military and then the algerian, i lived this collective field of the effects of war daily. Know its effects intimately. My eyes have seen acts of war on tape, no human eyes should ever get to see. In an attempt to understand and gain knowledge/awareness about this male mindset, i have seen many documentaries and movies. Either on Discovery or on festivals. Among them the one Amnesty International organises yearly. To treat soldiers with PTSD, i believe all therapists should engage themselves in educating themselves that way.
It takes incredible strength and empowerment to come from that place of knowledge and still be able to act from empathy, human kindness, to these people that possibly have committed heinous acts, but are at the same time our fellowhumans, our brothers/sisters. Sons/daughters of fathers/mothers, husbands/wives and fathers/mothers to the next generation, of whom, one has sadly left us prematurely for reasons unknown to us, that can only be guessed about, but still need to be taking seriously. NICABM has taken a leading position in making therapists and the general public aware of the consequence of negative imprints/childabuse/childneglect. We know now, that damage to a very young brain, might not be reversible, but is at least an almost impossible task. As i know firsthand. Having to undergo therapy to heal, personally being my own therapist, for lack of ever finding one capable of treating me, it is extremely difficult to also heal the effects my trauma’s had on my 4 children, which i had, before anyone talked about PTSD, here in the Netherlands. The youngest being 25.
I find it sad that my comment led to no discussion at all. I cannot help to think about transposing this way of thinking to treatment of sexoffenders to children.
Having to collectivily deal with a young sexoffender who molested 87 children, the youngest 19 days, then putting pictures on the internet, while working in a nursery and babysitting, has forced me to engage myself in pondering this. I do not support hatred, believe it will not work longterm. But notice that in some cases i am having a hard time when dealing with actual reality. We already had to deal with Dutroux from Belgium. Then there is Andreas Breivik, who now explains to us, how he learned to totally dissociate from engaging in any human feelings, when murdering around 80 young people, who had come together for a conference of their political party. He learned it by playing this american invented videogame: Warcraft or something. With drones, where young men just handle a stick, as if playing a videogame, murdering any afghan civilian does not produce any anguish. As wikileaks showed here on dutch public television it even produced pleasure in us soldiers, murdering civilians, already down, already wounded. Therapy should not be a bandage in getting people to return to what they were before.
A patient, any patient also needs to be held accountable for the effects on others of his acts. I learned that US soldiers are even returned to the battlefield, while suffering from PTSD. Not once, but sometimes 5 times. I also became aware, that some of them, want to return. That is what therapists need to contemplate.
What is it they long for and find in the military, while lacking that in civilian life. I heard about the sense of cohesion, the loyalty to fellowsoldiers, the brotherhood, willing to risk ones life to save that of a fellow soldier. What is wrong with our society, that that sense is lacking? What can therapists contribute to help those qualities return into families, communities, society? I once met this young female soldier. She loved being one of the guys. My feeling was, she had to give up all of herself, all her feminine qualities to be one of the guys. She also had to learn hatred for the enemy, a total neglect for their humanness. In my eyes too high a price.
The militaristic attitude as pervaded all of life. It is everywhere in the collective. My grandson of 6, making all toys into guns/weapons, despite his upbringing.
Those of us who want society to be different, possibly want to enjoy the very qualities men are seeking in the military, cannot fights this collective attitude.
Here in the Netherlands, a so called democracy, most voting civilians were against any mission to Afghanistan. We were promised it would never be prolonged. We call that so called war against terrorism, an illegitimate war, that was against International Law. Visitors of a filmfestival organised by Amnesty International have no qualms about seeing Bush Junior as a warcriminal, who should be tried in the Hague, just like Charles Taylor.
Our politicians however walk like dogs on a leash, dictated by american politicians.
Would i personally find it acceptable, when spoken to, in the kind of voice on the tape? No i would not. Would i want to live in a society dictated by this kind of militaristic attitudes. No i would not. I clearly remember the ever present Guardia Civil in Spain. Or for that matter the terror installed in me, by the everpresent algerian military, standing ready with guns, while i was just in traffic, in a car, in a regular street, in a regular city.
I remember being confronted with our own Military Police, when active in a protestmarch.
I speak out. I speak out, because i personally know the impossible suffering of PTSD. The hereditary passing on to next generations. Because of that personal suffering i take responsiblity, i held myself accountable, to be empowered, to speak my mind, even when scared almost more then i can mindfully bear.
I want a different kind of society for my grandchildren. I know this society can not continue the way it has, climatewise. It is not just, that i want to live in a peaceful world, i know we have to learn to do so, will humanity survive at all.
The only way that is going to be possible, is when enough of the military, will see the truth of their ways, their training. And each man will relearn to kindle their inherent qualities of protecting women and children/families and society at large.
We are all connected, all interdependent. We all influence each other and cannot form a society without each other.
When a child has Diabetes I, it most likely still wants its sweets, sugar and deserts. As a parent, would i give it to them?
Would i feed an already obese child, more chips, more burgers? Or would i gently teach healthier methods of healing?
I work with Veterans who are being evaluated for and sometimes diagnosed with Psychogenic Seizures sometimes due to their military experiences and/or childhood abuse. I think this would be invaluable in their recovery. How do I purchase it? If I can ask our Dept of Neurology for financial support, can it be purchased in larger quantities at a discounted rate?
Thank you and God bless your goodness.
It makes me wonder what kind of preparation is given to our soldiers as they prepare to return home. There is quite an effort made to turn them into soldiers. They would benefit from a debrief of some sort to allow letting that way of life shift into happy healthy home life. At minimum a discussion about the possibilities of symptoms of PTSD and what assistance is available should be given. Acknowledging and validating the feelings and providing an avenue for help, laying the groundwork for wellness, would go a long way.
Being a veteran myself, I understand the mentality, however, it didn’t speak to me then and it doesn’t speak to me now. I was in Vietnam and I wasn’t in combat and that makes a difference. This man speaks directly to the combat veterans and he’s right on. He speaks to some of the first responders that have the same mentality of how men are supposed to be, and may secretly not want to be that way. I am so glad you listened to him and allowed him the honor and privilege of helping you help veterans. Thank You Belleruth and Ruth!
It was very important to learn, that the visualization has to be realted to the person’s experiences..
Thanks you. I use very ofen guided imagery and this is very helful to be able to create the approprieted ones.
This is so appropriate, it is so important to start with the client where they are not where you are or want them to be. Each person needs to be heard first and with great skill helped to redirect their direction to a place where they can begin to live without the fear of alwaysing being in pain.
Thank you to both of you.
Hugs,
Linda Lou McQuinn
This certainly draws you in and keeps your attention. I would love to have a specific one for various traumas like for those who feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless, due to life long struggles of neglectful parenenting, & the experiences of physical, emotional and sexual abuses during childhood and adolescence. Meet us where we are at—still childlike and growing up wanting to leave that home and searching within to be free from those triggers –fly on our own–safely, securely. we are in the process of finding ourselves. looking at our bodies and saying this belongs to me. looking in the mirror and saying this is me who I am. And then there is meeting who you are – this new personality. How will you react to this new person and accepting this new person and allowing it to express itself without shame & without guilt. Thank you Ruth. We do use your videos for our members.
Great job! First rule followed, meet the client where they are, and know the culture they are coming from. I think it is powerful that we as professionals continue to hone our skills and tools… be the example for our clients as well…. doing what we ask them to do too….. change!
Hi Sandy,
Thanks so much for your comment. It is scary to speak one’s mind in a critical way, when all applaud and react positively. If not I, if not you, then who? You are welcome to get in touch with me. My emailaddress is gertrudevanvoorden@live.nl. After placing my comment, according to the law of synchronicity i came upon three documentaries of 2 dutch sisters, on the mindsets of soldiers/veterans in the Congo, about raping women. It affirmed me in the necessity of speaking out, and stepping up as women. Read what is said on http://www.weaponofwar.nl. It is in english.
Thanks Ruth for this very powerful and insightful case involving “the loss of a loved one”. For me there were fascinating correspondences with my own life. I lost my father through war, when I was 10, and 30 years later, my young wife by suicide. Both had everything to live for but were overwhelmed by archetypical events for which neither was properly prepared. Now, 40 years on, I recognize how I was enabled to heal the lives of both my son and myself, and later the lives of many others. Here, in the “loss of a loved one, or a loved situation”, oftentimes – or so I have observed – lie the roots of most everything that ails the human condition? The drama or saga, for so it is, inevitably unfolds in a kind of 3 (or at most 5) acts cinematic way – no more are needed … Thanks again and best wishes for the next instyallment!
All so true, heartbreaking story, the bluntness went deep. Fantastic to hear realism connecting with ‘touchy feely’.
Would like to hear similar in a British voice to see how it comes across.
Also to get feedback from uk soldiers.
Glad I listened, will share – Thank you.
What a wonderful ‘doc. type clip. You have to enter the world of the person to really reach what is there and ‘uproot’ the problem.
well done on this clip and THANK you for sharing it with all of us.
Yota
This is just what I needed for the “next step”. I did not know how to introduce MBSR with Guided Imagery to fishermen who lost sons and survived capsized fishing boats in rough Alaskan waters; villagers who watched their children and parents wash out to sea in the big Alaskan earthquake tidal wave; the lost culture that came through the horror and depression of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the hurt invisible men and women who returned from the nightmare of war to a secluded small community that did not want to hear about their pain. This ‘tough man’ introduction may be a tool to open the door to Guided Imagery and healing
for individuals who are independent, tough and wounded . Thank you
That was wonderful. Nothing like someone who has been through the experience and knows, from the inside, to help others to take a chance and get involved.
Ruth, You are doing so much good for so many therapists by sharing all this invaluable information, insights and techniques.
Very nice work The progression from activation (a high beta state) to alpha (relaxation) is audible in the pitch and speed of the narrator’s diction. I am wondering if a ramp down of entrainment frequencies themselves could be used to facilitate the client’s shift and avoid his inner conflict with verbalizations. Or could the two be combined effectively to enhance the change process?
Really intriguing. I loved the collaboration, having worked with soldiers/sailors/marines both in my office & on bases. I would love to hear more of their reactions to the intro and subsequent CD. Nice work!!
Bless you Dave, for your courage and wisdom to share your story in a way that so many will benefit – and Bellaruth for being open to use this unique approach. Thank you too Ruth for sharing this with us. So many people will be supported on their healing journeys through this creative and non-traditional approach to introducing guided imagery.
Very powerful how Dave meets other soldiers where they are to motivate them to stretch themselves to really try the guided imagery. I can imagine his helping others aided his healing from his own tragic loss as well.
I myself used the company of Mrs. Naparstek as Oncology Staff Nurse. Many nurses used the same company for their R&R. After years of clinical work -I myself had honor to survive life threatening illness.Ruth’s courage to follow her dream had and has impact on many .
Ruth’s CDs were my companions before and after every bone marrow aspiration. The interview here moved me deeply and I feel for the healing population that comes home.
Our support through creative and compassionate space that we create in clinics,hospitals and communities is a great start. Moreover though ,the specific ,comprehensively tailored words and” ice breakers” will make grand difference . When helping professions explore the newest approaches ,stay tuned to cutting
edge modalities and “work shoulder to shoulder” with other professions the chances of healing is greater. Recently,I attended lectures from Holistic Nurses Organization that expressed wake up call to nurses across the “board” to refer,educate and participate.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2862317/
I am here and I am participating.Thank you for such amazing education access opportunity.
LOVED it!! I am a psychologist for a VA Medical Center and would be honored to introduce this work/tape to my Vets. What a beautful lesson on being able to hear consructive feedback and implementing a change. The intro is just perfect. Thank you for taking the time to care for our nation’s hero and meet them where they are. What a gift!!
This is stunning! What is being talked about here is attunement! It is when we are attuned to where our clients are at, that we truly there with them and they feel met and understood and inevitably more open to what comes next. Without this we are speaking not only from separate ‘cultural perspectives’ but from different time zones, different planets and in different languages which leaves trauma clients with far too many layers and levels to negotiate in their traumatised states.
I loved this – made me cry because I have a best friend who went through this. Dave’s approach is brilliant. I wish my friend would have had this to suuport him through. It shows how as a therapist we have to step way out of the box sometimes to help the special groups of people. To hold out a hand to meet them in a different way and help them through. Thank you for reminding us.
The multifactorial aproach results are remarcable create a environment were we can receive help!!!
Our world is One, but we are so many interpretacionsof the One, that the One want to hear about!
This opener to access the PTSD stored in the subconscious mind would be a good introduction to anyone suffering this type of trauma. About 20 years ago Gary Craig created a treatment from part of a therapy by a man called Dr. Carrington which he called EFT (meridian tapping). To test his idea he asked if he could try it on some Viet Nam vets who had been in hospital for 15+years undergoing psychiatric treatment he cured 86% of them in 24hrs. With the advance of techniques such as applied Kinesiology most body/mind (subconscious mind) problems can be healed within a very short space of time. The DVD is excellent Thank You.
Wow! This is incredible! It makes complete sense! I will now take this example and be much more conscious of where even minor adjustments might need to be made in how I speak to something with a client so that they can better hear it. Such a valuable video! Thank you and Bellaruth so much!
I completely understand where this soldier is going through. I have had A LOT of DOCTORS yell at me, tell me they were fed up with me, and try to force me to take medicine which WAS NOT going to solve my PTSD; they didn’t want to hear WHAT was going on or know why I was depressed. They just wanted me to take medication, and be done with me. That is no way to treat a person. I tried to tell them about meditation, and other approaches used to help heal grief, PTSD, depression but they were close minded.
WOW!! I have experienced trauma and though I have never been in the military, I can really understand how powerful this introductory approach would be. It is so hard to explain the feeling of trauma and not excuse it away, but this soldier does it. Very well. Thank you and him for sharing this.
thank you for sharing that- I found the retired soldier’s pace and language disturbed me more than I expected. I can imagine that his fellow soldiers would pay attention to that language and rate of delivery.
Strong argument for tailoring a tool to the needs of the recipient which calls for active imagination.
I agree 100% with what the soldier is saying. Not only the soldier mindset, but even a different culture where each individual’s role expectations are different from what they are here in america, one has to take a different stance while introducing the imagery tapes. I have seen these differences by living in three different cultures, Indian, Afghanistan and US, and I know how different they are.
“Touchy-feely” still jangles me when people talk about how to relax and how to grab for change after life’s disasters. I’m a Vietnam era veteran who was lucky enough to avoid direct hostile fire, but I carry memories of those I knew who fought, died, or were maimed in various ways. This soldier’s introduction is straight-talking. It’s on target for those who have been changed by military service. He’s lived it. Suicide is not an option — especially now that NICABM and the New Brain Science research is pushing it into our face that our lives can either help others or can hurt them into pain. Our presence and our mind depend on relationships. Life is not a solo affair. Thanks for all of the NICABM offerings and events. You have created a community where healing is possible on many levels.
The approach totally makes sense. I also think it would make sense to adjust the actual approach to guided imagery to be more palatable to veterans, calibrating the tone of voice to minimize the chance that veterans would be initially overwhelmed by a flood of feeling. I do a lot of mindfulness work with the clients I see who work in a high tech environment and purposely modulate my voice in a matter of fact tone so that the exercises I teach do not feel foreign and respect my client’s entry point into treatment. This is a basic form of mirroring that helps establish a connection and build trust.
In NLP courses, the importance of rapport and matching is driven into students as being promordial to successfull therapy. Cognitive therapy deals only with the cognitive part of the experience. In the subconscient mind there is visual, audio, smell, sensations part of the experience. So you can talk until the cows come home, not much happens in recovery. I use Eye mouvement Integration therapy, hypnosis (insight therapy, 5 Path) and EFT. Clients say that they accomphised more in one session then years of talk therapy. there is a video (actually 2) about EFT for PTSD and how it helps the soldiers recover faster.
YES of course it must be done like that with whatever client we have in front of us….why?….because ALL therapy is
building a bridge fom one place to another and sometimes it´s quite a distance from one “place” to the other.
It´s all energy and coming from one frequency to another the therapist needs to first affirm the frequency the client is
coming from….to be heard is crucial here to be able to Take IN another energy/standpoint.
Blessings
Regina
I work with a lot of first responders, many of whom have a military background. This would definitely reach some of them where they live. Congratulations on a brilliant collaboration — and of making the loss of a child the impetus to a gift to one’s fellow survivors. Well done.
As I listen to this intense, fast talking man give an introduction to this exercise, I am smiling and appreciating all that went into this incredible gift. To nicabm, thank you for making this video and sharing it. Such important work to share. And to this man, thank you for your service and for “sucking it up” so you could help yourself and others!
Ruth, Thanks for sending this and starting this conversation. I believe it’s one of the most important ones I’ve seen yet in all the materials I’ve seen from NICABM.
I’ve read through all the responses so far, and the one that resonated with me the most was that of Gertrude from the Netherlands (I would greatly appreciate it if you could put me in touch with her – you have my permission to give her my email address, and I can be easily found on Facebook). I found myself in total agreement with each of her very insightful points about war and the horrific consequences to the human psyche of all who participate in it, and those who do NOT choose or want to participate in it, but have if forced on them. In particular the cost to women and children of policies they’re at the effect of that are created by a class of humans who believe that violence is the solution to most human problems. Interesting that so far there hasn’t been any acknowledgement of the points she so courageously raised.
I was drafted at the height of the Tet Offensive in 1968. After two weeks in the U.S. Army I concluded I was inside the World’s largest insane asylum. Nothing that I’ve observed about the U.S. military since then has modified my belief that our military culture excels at nothing so much as the creation of huge numbers of damaged souls. We pour so much of our resources – literally Trillions – into war and destruction, and are then ‘surprised’ when Vets have the kinds of life-problems they have. I continue to be astonished that, given the way Vets are treated AFTER they’ve been used (assuming they survive physically) that the military can find enough naive souls to enlist. But then, we don’t really educate our populace for critical thinking. If we did, and made sure they got the skills to look at all sides of a story, they might not be so easily gulled into thinking that our next war is quite so ‘necessary and unavoidable.’
(If you think I’m exaggerating, I suggest you find and read: “The Wages of War: When America’s Soldiers Came Home – from Valley Forge to Vietnam,” by Richard Severo & Lewis Milford)
As a society we’ve adapted to war far too much. A military mentality has invaded and shaped our world-view to a disturbing degree. And as one who has worked in counseling realms that deal with the consequences of violence, I’m dismayed at how much the field of psychology is being seduced to some extent into the military mindset. If we’re not careful we’ll end up with the same short-sighted, tunnel vision of the prison-guard unions around the country. When they fight to support the building of more prisons so that their jobs are secure, they fail to realize they’re dooming their grandkid’s generation to lives with fewer resources, and ensuring that more those kids will be occupying a prison cell because they got the message that their country cared more about war than it did about them.
Yes, of course we need to come up with effective treatments for Vets who come home so damaged by not only their specific combat experience, but from being turned into such hard-asses in the first place.
But why is it so difficult to recognize that the best possible treatment for PTSD is always its PREVENTION? That we shouldn’t send people off to needless wars to endure, and inflict upon others, the kinds of suffering our invasions and occupations have caused?
We’ve probably all heard this story:
‘A person standing near a river hears a call for help and sees someone drowning. He jumps in and pulls the struggling swimmer out of the water and resuscitates him. As he finishes resuscitating the first swimmer, a second cries out. Again, he enters the water and with great effort hauls the second drowning person ashore. A third person calls out for help and he jumps to the rescue and nearly drowns in the effort, but manages to pull the third person out of the river. An admiring crowd has gathered when a fourth person calls for help and our hero walks away. Someone in the crowd shouts, “Where are you going? What about this person who is drowning?” He turns and says, “I’m tired of rescuing people from the river. I’m going upstream to find out who’s pushing them in.”‘
Let’s help all the Vets we can – they deserve it – but let’s not get so ‘embedded’ with the military that we don’t tackle the larger problem at it’s source…the rapidly-expanding militarization of our country and the world. It’s bleeding us to death morally as well as financially…
Fascinating video. The talent for retaining patients is surely empathy and treating individuals individually. I have treat veterans and police officers and they’re all different; however, this helps understand the culture from which these guys and gals come.
Profound. The wisdom that Dave can reach the “military mind”, rings true. I am sure that the emotional pain that Dave and George shared and the collaboration that followed, will help many.
I have loved Belleruth from the first time I picked up one of her books. But I have to say this video helped me to understand the torment my own father must have gone through after coming back from WWII. He was so hard and so cold to everyone in the family. It was as if softness was something he couldn’t tolerate. I know my mom suffered as a consequence of this, but so did his three daughters. I always said “thank goodness he had no son.” (Although I am sure I didn’t understand the implications back then.) I will share the email that got me to this link with the people who suggested that I should work with women coming back from the war. They said that my knowledge base would /could work for them. I know I am a lot more gentle than this video and I wondered if I’d have the strength to stay tough for the women my friends were talking about. This video healed something inside because it gave me what I couldn’t ever comprehend as a child and daughter of someone who was still, in his mind, untii the day he died, a soldier. Thank you. Perhaps now I too can help.
But just so you know, neither Belleruth nor I put this video interview together in an attempt to get you to buy this. We are on a mission here to get these ideas out to everyone.
I agree totally. I have found that with very Cerebral types of people like University Profs and the very macho construction labourers an explanation of what guided imagery and a dialogue have been crucial. Listening to Dave was fascinating – I’m going to parse his intro with my colleagues – it makes a great example of word-smithing! Thank you Ruth for what you do! You lead me into my creative space within!
Lesson 101, the teacher must start from where the student is.
When I came back from Vietnam, my family wondered who I was. I read a book by Herbert Benson about the relaxation response. This was a new world for me. I did not know I could relax anytime, and anyplace, it was my decision. I liked it that it was not new-age touchy feely, but based on MD medical science and research. The medics worked miracles in Vietnam, and this was a place I could start.
Phenomenal. So it is not the guided imagery itself that is adjusted to the
tough, traumatized patient, but rather the therapist’s introduction of the experience.
As those of us who practice EFT know, the worst, the negative, must first be
expressed and accepted. Only after that can we effectively shift to remedial, or ‘corrective’
goals and statements.
No wonder it works here.
One must always, for therapy to be effective, begin at the beginning, and clients usually
come to see a therapist specifically because they are not in a good place emotionally
and/or psychologically.
So there is nothing really ‘new’ here, but this is an awesomely creative approach to engage
certain clients.
Hats off to this soldier, and to Belleruth for hearing him.
I alternated between tears and laughter hearing this. Dave succeeded in touching a very deep place within, and I can believe this introduction could forge through emotional callouses when other attempts have failed. It’s so very ‘real’. I can see why in and of itself the soldiers at Fort Sill found it therapeutic. While there is no honor in taking one’s own life, but there is much room to respect what survivors have learned from their horrific experiences and tragedies. Hats off to Dave as well as to Bellaruth for her open and honest response to the need.
What a powerful and engaging introduction. I’ve worked in the profession for some years now, and early on realized from my own training, that having a wellmeaning, sooth-talking therapist sit infront of me when I was all worked up, only added to my feelings of anger at not being fully understood.
Today, when I work, my first and foremost concern during the first session is to connect with my clients via their body language and spoken language, i.e. if someone uses swear words, I’ll do the same etc. This video only confirms my intuition. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been using Belleruth’s wonderful guided imagery CDs with patients for many years. And it’s true. For some, the gentle tones and soothing music does create irritability severe enough to stop them from enjoying and benefiting from this powerful modality. Straight from a soldier’s heart, this video provides a wonderful bridge from the world of pain and distancing to the more gentle world of recovery and healing. Thanks Ruth,
Harry
I can imagine SGT Dave captures the attention of soldiers and veterans from the very beginning. Most would be finding ways to sleep through any presentation about managing trauma. His directives lend authenticity to this topic. His life experiences express the need to pay attention. He correctly reflects the culture that is too tough to hurt.
I would like to use this in treating EMTs and Firefighters with their trauma and stress. Is there a way to get his introduction for this purpose?
But just so you know, neither Belleruth nor I put this video interview together in an attempt to get you to buy this. We are on a mission here to get these ideas out to everyone.
Awesome….this is what meeting a client where “they are” is all about….I have used Bellaruth’s material for several years and this is certainly a great addition!
Thanks to everyone for all the support and encouragement. Like anything, this one approach isn’t for everyone, but we’re finding it’s effective for a lot of service people, veterans, first responders and older adolescent boys.
We did a pilot study with returning Soldiers at Fort Sill, where they had a choice of listening to one or two of several audio tracks from the Self Mastery CD for 20 minutes/day for eight weeks. They all started with Dave’s intro first.
What we learned was they would listen to the imagery tracks for stress or sleep when they were feeling edgy or had trouble falling asleep; but when they were feeling angry, they liked re-playing Dave’s intro. It made them feel “normal” and it gave them a laugh or two, too. That was a surprise to us. We thought they’d listen to it once or twice as an intro. Turned out it was something of an intervention, in and of itself.
We all keep learning, don’t we?
BR
Bingo! Perhaps the powerful introduction speaks to a habit that our soldiers have acquired over time with repetition and certainly intensity. The mind, body and brain begin to feel comfortable and safe again when the set-up is familiar. The idea of guided imagery then finds a smooth running entry point for impact and acceptance! Great work!
Wow, very powerful and straight to the point! The majority of my clients are law enforcement and fire service personnel and their families so this approach is one that speaks directly to the “cultural” dynamics that are so much a part of my clinical work. I smiled and chuckled all the way through Dave’s introduction because it is so honest and forthright, just like the cops and firefighters I work with on a daily basis. I have used and recommended Belleruth’s Guided Imagery for years and know that this powerful resource is one more for the toolkit, rucksack or gearbag that works! Kudos to both Ruth and Belleruth for this resource, thank you!
As a former combat vet myself, I found it much easier to relate to than other softer methods that are often used by therapists. It takes time for a combat vet to become accustomed to those softer methods, which are usually very effective, but it takes a desire to do so, accompanied by a gradual mindset change in order to be able to accept them. Thank you and may you be blessed for your concern.
Ruth, great stuff. Absolutely great stuff. Reminds me of Dr Ed Tick: we need to honor the warrior, give them respect, come to them where they are at. We want to heal the boy to heal the man, but we need to give the man the respect he deserves and needs, unconditional respect and honor as a warrior. Otherwise he cannot hear us. What he will hear is an echo of the past, a nagging mother, an abusive parent, a neglectful father. It is so hard to figure this stuff out for counsellors and worse for the person who has experienced trauma. But, I suspect the mistake I made is as simple to correct as this soldier, Dave, figured out: start where the person is at and give them the fundamental need of respect of persons no matter what their story.
RIGHT ON!! That has needed to be said for way too long. Relaxation and guided imagery doesn’t mean that we assume a false voice and come off sounding like an elementary school teacher with her (or his) class. I believe that attunement requires authenticity and legitimate caring and not affected prosody. Calmness is for some trauma sufferers an acquired taste that is many times preceded by an attitude that it is a challenge presented to them by those who “don’t get it.” Thanks for making this video available.
Excellent!!!! It’s a very touching story. I congratulate all of you who cares for the health of all humanity. The story of
the soldier made my heart shrink and tears came down from my eyes. Also what Ruth explained about the boy who killed
himself. All these information and theme can be of great help to everyone, as to make them realize how important it is
to take care of our health especially the brain. I love children a lot and am a defender/protector as well the aged in my
spare time and voluntarily. Thank you so much for the video. God reward you with blessings and good health.
Dave and I have come a ways together since we lost our sons. In retirement, it’s gratifying to know we can put our grief and turmoil to a good cause, and enable these wonderful tools to be introduced to more needy people, especially our battle buddies. Thanks to Belleruth for hearing us out and giving Dave a chance to put his thoughts on paper and into action. He’s the epitome’ of a “Crusty 1st SGT,” and I mean that in the most respectful way. As an officer, Dave is the right-hand-man I’d want on the next deployment, especially with the new-found sensitivity he’s discovered through adversity. This intro is sure to bring a smile to the troop’s face as they think, “Hey, this ‘Guided Imagery’ may be OK, if SGT Rauls uses it…cuz’ he’s one of us!” He works us from the fast-paced combat zone, to march in cadence, to parade rest nicely, ending with a soothing tone and calm demeanor at the end that made me feel I was ready for the dulcet tones of Belleruth. Nice job, Team. Now to get it into the hands of DoD clinicians as well as civilian therapists in Communities all across this Nation caring for returning Reservists and National Guardsmen.
COL-Ret George Patrin, MD
Col Patrin, thanks so much for reaching out to Dave and also for getting him to call Belleruth. And I agree with you – we’ve got to get this CD and Dave’s story in the hands of as many service members and veterans as possible. Also in the hands of practitioners who are treating them as well.
Loved it! I’m not a soldier or policewoman or anything like that nor am I a practitioner of any kind. I have though somehow learned the old suck it up mentality and am struggling to undo it. I too find “soothing” voices and especially new age music extremely irritating. Much prefer an emphatic pep talk like this – except for the marching stuff which I can’t relate to. Part of my problem is that I belong to a spiritual progam that used to be very “external discipline” focused. The organizatiion has llightened up but many of the longer serving members such as myself have not. Maybe a cd with an invigorating pep-talk style intro for civilians might be in order!
This was beyond great, fantastic, and real, I loved it, and all my heart was in it as was my mind, my soul rejoyced in the bottom line…all together wonderful…Thanks for being in the right time at the right place…
I was so much surprised at first, but then I could imagine a soldier listening to this and, it was like walking where you knew the path, and that made me
think it tuned up a mind so you could open to somenthing new, something else.
Thank you, a great and enlighting experience.
Fantastic, input, thankyou so much… as suidice becomes an even bigger problem around the globe, I see this being a good tool, to help get some to relate to their own reality… and it to can be improvised to reach other sectors of people and the individual… as mentioned below, rapport with therapist for trust and understanding, is so important… the true healing comes from the core of the individual, when what needs to be triggered, for the wake up to occur, a painful time, of honest communication with self, and responsibilty for ones own very existence in life… love yoru work and thanks as always for sharing, to make our world a better place,,
As a veteran of WWII I can relate to this introduction and can readily see how hardened veterans would relate to it as well. I wonder how Belleruth makes the
transition from that to where she needs to go to get to guided imagery. Maybe takes them through a tunnel or across a bridge? In the early part of my career I worked with veterans and would have found this very useful, indeed. A great example of meeting the patient/client where s/he is.
This is SO great – It is so important to feel that the person who is your therapist has some way to connect with your pain. A social worker/therapist who has been raised in a normal middle-class household has NO way of understanding or connecting with the reality in your pain and the difference is felt and resentment is the result. I’m speaking from experience.
But now and then, if there is true heart shown on the therapist’s part, a connection may be made.
Thank you very muche, Dave, for your sincere sharing of your feelings. Thank you Belleruth for taking the possibility to give him voice and to let his Idea be possible. Thank You Ruth, as always for bringing us always new prospectives for our work…this time the possibilioty to reach the patient where he really is, using his Copdex, his pace, his language…stunning!
This is a really amazing video. As a mindfulness teacher, it’s such a stark reminder to me how different people’s backgrounds and preferences are when coming into space like this that can be so vulnerable. Meeting people where they are, in their space and on their terms is true skillful means. This video really helped show me how far from skillful I can be at times!
Thank you for putting this together and making it available.
What a wonderful, powerful tool. Ruth you are making a true difference. Speaking the language of the client (soldier) is spot on. When coming from a place of service and being heart centered “awareness” is just a first small step. Military culture stands apart and your integrating shows true craftsmanship. This is truly worth the share..Thank you.
Having spent two years in the Army, ten months of which were spent in combat in Korea, I found the “sergeant’s” introduction an excellent bridge into the “guided imagery.”
THANK YOU! Excellent! I have worked post-trauma interventions and with veterans for many years at both VA hospital and college settings and appreciate the direct approach that veterans respond best to.
Brilliant! Very moving and to be as the client is. In other words, join the world of the client and you have abetter understanding
of how to help them. Very moved by this video, and I believe there are so many others who need this kind of help. As a trainer i will be incorporating this technique ito my students.
This was a very impressive presentation. The story of how it came about was great,as was every aspect of the presentation. The soldier and the therapist complemented each other and helped themselves and many others. Thank you.
I’ve waited a long time for this honest perspective to meditation or affirmations. So many of my anxious/depressed/traumatized clients have spoken of wanting a way to move through their internal chaos before they can sit with the stillness, or believe they are worth or deserving of words of affirmation. This CD will be a great addition to my library. Thanks!
This is a great example of attunement to the brain state wounded warriors come to us with, and a powerful illustration of the importance of meeting clients where they are. I agree with one thing Gertrude, from the Netherlands, says. Working with military and ex-miitary personnel is much like working with brainwashed ex-cult members. The training is deeply embedded and only incrementally reversed. To make a giant leap – from the hyper-vigilant, emotionally shut-down, depersonalized state most soldiers must adopt for survival – to the relaxed, open, emotionally aware state we aim for is much to great a distance to span. Each client we work with must make this journey from where they are, at their own pace, and to their own destination. Too many of us therapists are guilty of attempting to impose our own agenda on clients. I am impressed by this example of sensitivity to these issues in materials created for wounded warriors. Thank you!
Excellent. In my opinion cultural awareness and meeting the person where they are is the first priority. This change in guided imagery (for some populations)demonstrates that awareness and increases the chances a client will stay and receive the help needed. I am waiting for “Coming Soon”!
Dave’s willingness to tell his story and give an intimate part of himself has been more inspirational and given me more insight than anything I have ever read on Therapist Empathy or Cross-cultural Practices. You can hear his emotional journey in his voice – the authenticity. Thank you, Dave.
even despite the intro i was initially shocked to hear and realise what it was that these men needed to hear to feel ‘at home’/comfortable/’met’, then as i continued to listen i became more and more moved .. i am very grateful to you ruth and belleruth for making this available.
I am humbled and thankful for this work that you have put together. It would have NEVER occurred to me to approach healing in this way, but I am ordering a copy of the disc so I have it in my repertoire. In so many ways, I desire to ‘match’ where my client is, but in this I see ways that I have been oblivious about doing that. I have done a considerable amount of work with complex trauma disorders, successful in many of those cases. I am gratified in watching healing occur, and in the way that these brave people can have the experience of living their own lives once again. Yet, even with those successes, I see others that I have not reached who still remain in pain. I am appreciative that there might be another way to help them. Thank you. Margaret
Awesome! I’ve been recovering from PTSD in recent years from childhood abuse. Dave’s intro left me laughing out loud with his direct, blunt, tell it like it is approach. He is so right. I’ve found it impossible to listen to traditional,gentle, guided imagery – but I may just give it another shot…. Way to go Dave…
Only a few days ago i saw this video about how the military has discovered that the militaristic type of indoctirination/brainwashing is harmful to the soldiers brains.
They are experimenting with new ways of teaching soldiers how and when to kill, without installing the hatred they used to in the past.
Apparently from that kind of indoctrination soldiers cannot seem to stop killing, even when they got home. I suppose suicide is just another way of killing someone.
Thus i agree one should be empathic with the experiences and the culture a patient comes from, yet find the approach, especially in the beginning hurtful and more of the same. This is an adult man, who chose to become a soldier. Too many children and women get hurt and raped in these worldwide armed conflicts and as a grandmother/woman of 61 i find those men have no excuse to continue doing what most of humanity do not want them to be doing.
Also the other day i listened to a lecture about psychopaths. I was made aware that especially i the topsegments of society 1 in 4 is most likely a psychopaths. They are the ones ruling us, controlling us, pushing us into a collective experience most of us do not want. Others are becoming millionaires of playing that game/field. I do feel for the kid. Wondering whether it was his militaristic upbringing that made him overstep that edge and commit the act of suicide.
Hearing again and again in documentaries of Jim Morrison of the Doors, how extremely painful such an uprbringing was.
How pitiful that this man, who has chosen to defend his country, could not make a committed choice earlier to defend the sanity of his family.
I can identify with the resistance of for me the sometimes soft approach of Mindfulness practitioners, who have been longtime buddhist/meditation practitioners. I know from experience how they sometimes totally negate the severity of PTSD, lacking personal experience combined with empathy.
How to detoxify brains that are brainwashed can possibly best be found in therapists working with excult members.
For that detoxification is necessary to take the next step towards a healthier society i have no doubt about. Here in the Netherlands veterans often start working for the police. The last few years, accidents caused by these people, are rising and i cannot but wonder whether that is because of their militaristic mindset.
We women should not aid to legitimising such a male attitude, but should rise to the challenge to become rolemodels of a more functional society. As a grandmother and a survivor of prenatal and early childhood trauma, i know how extremely difficult it is to defend ones children/grandchildren in stead of thinking how oneself can be taken care of, where there is such longing. Each of us creates her personal experiences from personal awareness, often projecting ones story into those we relate to/meet. Staying in the trenches of ones pain, instead of striking out to add more to the hurt of those we most likely already hurted enough, is impossible. Only Mindfulness has taught me how to stand this Impossible. With time it passes. Knowing from Jeffrey Schwartz, i believe, i am never my trauma, never my symptoms, also helped.
What can be done to heal all the devastation the US armies caused for decades in most parts of the world? In the minds of whole generations of the young/children.
Even in the Netherlands we have to deal with knowing now, that we have been lied to. The US did have cruisemissiles in place in the Netherlands for decades. even when our government kept telling us, it was not so.
I was raised in believing men were the protectors of women and children, family and country. I have come to learn often men are just very dangerous.
Where babies get raped in nurseries, 6 year old girls get raped in the public domain, women need to step up in protecting themselves, the children and humanity at large. Veterans need healing and become functional. Here in the Netherlands it was recently discovered that for most of them, their amygdala’s go back to the way they functioned previously to their missions. They are debriefing them now in Greece/Crete in a tranquil environment, before setting them free in a civilian environment/their personal families. For only a few, this approach does not work and they keep having PTSD symptoms.
Sending a veteran with PTSD on another mission, sometimes even 4 or 5, as i heard recently of an US soldier, murdering several Afghans, should just be seen and dealt with as a criminal act, and be tried at the international court in the Hague.
This was so refreshing and right to the point! Talk their talk and they will listen!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing. I am on the faculty of the TRAUMA and RESILIENCE STUDIES PROGRAMS (TRS) at ACAP Academy of Clinical & Applied Psychoanalysis located in Livingston. Those of you working with trauma in and around NJ, come and join us this summer. http://www.acapnj.org
A Conference |Sunday July 29 through
Tuesday July 31, 2012
TRAUMA and RESILIENCE Healing the Inner Animal …techniques for working with victims and the vulnerable Presented by ACAP at Caldwell College, Caldwell, NJ 07006 ACAP is approved as a CEU provider by many professional associations.
This was so powerful and so helpful. I loved Dave’s opening to the tape/CD and felt he was talking the soldier’s language. I was especially interested because I am planning on working with veterans, helping them to make peace with their lives, and this gave me some ideas about how to start my speech. Thank you. Blessings to you for your work. cj
This is a fascinating video and it confirms that the best way to help our clients is to meet them where they are at the moment and to make them aware that they have a choice and that they can reach their goals in their own pace Thank you so much for sharing this video!
Had me in tears – and I use Belleruth’s tapes for myself everyday and almost all my patients use her work – but this one – stunning. Perhaps these kids of introductions need to be done in other areas like with young teens or the young men in their 20′s who are “smoking” themselves to death.
To have the words and the tone of the person who has suffered, and hearing the “inside” game of their experience is the difference that makes the difference with this video.
Many professionals, leaders , followers , teachers, consultants, guides , coaches today are working with themselves and other people who are experiencing fear , confusion and scare in their daily lives. No, not the trauma of war, and yes a trauma of having to stand up and be counted for in their lives of work ( knowing the job may not be for them, or the job may be taken from them) .
Permission to feel pain , emotions and the impact of the things so many are asked to do is the beginning of being able to author ones own agenda.
thanks for sharing this . I use guided imagery and now I am going to work harder to “meet my listeners where they are – at their bus stop”
Thank you! As an Vietnam Vet I appreciate the approach. It speaks to me and I can see the effectiveness of such a message. It is important for the services to recognize what happens in combat conditions and provide appropriate treatment. Thank you for your continued work Belleruth in helping vets and others with your guided imagery tapes.
Thank you both, Belleruth and Ruth for your efforts in creating this video. The message is so inspiring – real love means recognizing the instinctive brain style of our client and ‘going to meet them there’.
Profoundly inspiring,
Nancy Forrester
Psychotherapist, Personal & Professional Mentor
Certified Emotional Freedom Techniques Trainer
Bravo to the honesty of that retired soldiers expressions of his pain. That introduction was powerful. It was real, and I can see how it would
be helpful for those who are trained not to allow themselves to delve into the ‘touchy feely’ realm. Thank you for sharing that story with us.
Watching this video was a very moving experience. I was, at first shocked to hear the new introduction to the trauma imagery cd. As I listened, though, I felt the heart and spirit of this soldier talking to other survivors, and it brought tears to my eyes. I can see how this would penetrate and be more effective than beginning with “sweet” talk. I firmly believe in meeting people where they are when doing my own work. I also create Guided Imagery cds of a spiritual genre, and will remember this video when beginning a new creation.
In addition, I am a survivor of much childhood abuse, and understand on a visceral level how this new introduction might speak directly to the pain, in order to get the listener’s attention, acknowledge the wounds, and then move on to the gentle, more sensitive imagery.
Thank you and thank Belleruth for really hearing the need and responding to the call.
Thank you very much that I was allowed to listen to this.
It proves to me one more time – that you have to pick up people from where they are.
Very impressing. !
Thank you very much for your generosity in sharing such a compeling story that challenges alls of us to be prepared to work with specific population and their needs. Great job… Noris Maldonado, La Coruna, SPAIN
Yes I also found this very moving – on many levels. Thank-you for sharing this very rich creation. Thanks also for highlighting the broader definition of culture. There is a lot of talk about respecting the culture of our clients. Too often people only consider culture associated with a particular heritage attached to a particular country, race or religion. There are cultures and traditions that develop over time in particular localities, professions and organisations.
Thank you so much for sharing this video. I think that it always is necesary to reach the person where the person is. In this case it shows how diffecult it can be when a persons life and values is so far from the world a therapist normally lives in. Empaty and war doesn`t fit together.
Ruth,
What a beautiful job you all did with that story of mine about my favorite retired first Sergeant!! I’m so impressed with the graphics, the editing and the whole effort with production values etc. Dave taught me a valuable lesson and I’m so happy you’ve given me a way to share it with a wider audience of therapists and providers, who will need to know about reactions like this if they don’t already.
A sincere hats off and big thanks to you and your team.
xox
Belleruth
I found this deeply moving. It reminds me of the importance always of listening, deeply, profoundly to what may be being said or not. Thank you for your generosity in making this video available for me to continue to learn about this being human, and the many ways that we can express ourselves fully.
Excellent use of MATCHING & PACING, an NLP technique for building rapport. Rapport is the most essential element in therapy. In my opinion having rapport with the client can overcome lack of experience and skills. Having rapport with ones clients allows them to feel understood at a deep and profound level, to feel accepted unconditionally.
Rehana Webster
EFT Master Practitioner
NLP Master Practitioner
I loved the video and it just spoke to me, as I always say there are a a hundred ways to deliver but we have to find the right way for the individual, as it is true for helping people heal themselves. Thank you so much for sharing this video and for making it available to so many. May you be blessed in your continuing great work Pamela
Excellant ! Thanks for sharing this so I can share with the Veterans I serve.
It works for people who have trained in a military manner to accept changes beyond their control.
Listening to Dave’s introduction brought me to tears. Having a son who was a paratrooper in Afghanistan, hearing what it has been like for him since he came home, I feel so much for our soldiers and the price they pay long beyond deployment and active duty. As I watched my son even begin his journey with the army in basic training, there is an enormous amount of toughening up that these soldiers have to do to survive. Dave’s voice in the beginning, the intensity of it is going to feel like home from what I have come to understand. It felt comforting even to me because he was speaking the native tongue of a soldier (and I am a soldier’s Mom who has paid really close attention to this whole process.) I especially noticed how his volume and pacing changed towards the end, gradually bringing in a softness that I would imagine builds a bridge to the rest of the CD. Thank you Bellaruth and Dave for continuing to reach out to our soldiers!
Fantastic! I always felt that I could not pick up my clients with a too soft and calm voice so I did not do it. Now I know why. Thank you, this I call progress!!!
yes, it is a good reminder of the benefit of connecting first with a person’s world so that they can see and take advantage of an opportunity to create a new space with new thinking and choices.
We are much more multicultural than we suspect.
It is also a wonderful reminder of how we always get opportunities even when we think we blow it. He had to be invited twice and then he decided to give it a try and then to contribute toward helping others and she also stepped into a new world!
Very powerful and I appreciate hearing the soldier’s perspective on guided imagery. Thank you Belleruth and Ruth for sharing his story.
Thank you – but the video seems to be hanging at 9:49 for me….
This is fantastic!! Where can I buy it and more of Bella’s tapes? When can I get her training?
Loved the video. Speaks volumes and sounds like it gets to the point and into the heads of those who are needing it. Glad to have been the first to post it to the Google+ world also. Keep up the great work.
Firstly, cudos to all for staying the course. Thank you to Dave (and my condolences to you as a fellow bereaved parent) and to George for encouraging him on, and of course to Belleruth and ‘our’ Ruth for building and closing the circle of insight and light. From all those who will be aided by the courage of Dave’s choice to share his experience and make our awareness greater, THANK YOU.
On a personal note to Dave; my profession’s work became a legacy to my daughter’s memory. If you had the notion to do the same, and at the risk of sounding touchy feely, I would say you’d done yourself proud.
I share in your loss and pain. To loose a child is so tough on the whole family. You must be resiliant person as so many in our club either suppress the pain or choose not to feel at all. The reality of the issue is there are a great many of not only Soldier deaths by suicide but family members. These numbers are not reported so societyin general is unaware. You can bet I am commiting my life to this effort for Nick, my brother/sister soldiers and other bereaved parent whom are aware. A heart felt thank you for your contribution to make the world a better place. You get the HOOAH of the day!!!
V/R,
Dave
Because I was trained in hypnosis, I understood that a hypnotic state didn’t have to be a relaxed state and always began where the person was at – which is hard to do on a tape. This is a superb tape which should be given a world wide showing. Congratulations to the creator of the tape for listening and collaborating with Dave, and then for sharing it. I’m not a soldier, however Dave spoke to me, as he was addressing that part of us which has shut down to different/challenging ideas (I’m looking at my desk as I write this). So, you can either have the courage to take on something new, or just ‘suck it up’. And Dave’s cred is very high – a suicide survivor.
Ruth, thanks again for sharing your wisdom gathering – we are lucky to have you!
I really like it! It is so good at speaking the language of the military culture, and other first responders.
This is tremendously inspiring. Start where people are at and walk with them all the way to peace of mind.
When the brain is configured to hostility and suspicion, it greets the suggestion of relaxation with hostility and suspicion. Walk with the worried brain – thru the minefields and snipers, thru the neighborhood gangs and rapists, thru the people demanding payments and threatening to put you out in the street. After walking thru the valley of death with someone who sees what you are seeing, it seems possible to the client that this person has a useful idea. A sense of trust emerges from having walked thru hell together.
If this is happening via a CD, there is a good chance that the intro will gradually become a meaningless ritual that is no longer needed. Perhaps the CD can be programmed so that the listener can opt at any time during the intro to jump right into the relaxation/meditation. After the listener has become proficient in relaxation, he/she will only need to hear:
“Check your environment for safety.
Take your customary position.
Inhale deeply,
Relax -
HUP”
This is how the brain works when it is working. One loud noise of a car backfiring puts a soldier right back into the war zone. The brain very rapidly disassembles whatever configuration it was in, and reconstructs the PTSD configuration. In a similar manned, given a familiar sense of a safe environment and the familiar feeling produced by a repetitive position, the brain will rapidly deconstruct its apprehensive configuration and reconstruct the learned meditative configuration in response to another sound.
Or so I think. I chose “HUP” as representative of the bridge between mental configurations.
These materials and approaches are terrific. Thank you for digging deeper and bringing innovations to us always. I want to share these with a wide variety of people who work with veterans, both as support and clinicians.
Wow…. how challenging and insightful. What courage it has taken for the man to not only face his experiences but to ring Bella Ruth and share with her what he believes would work for him and others. It is true that we learn from our clients if we choose to listen to them and not think we have all the answers. Thank you Bella Ruth for taking it on board and sharing it with us all:)
Bravo! For caring people who put ego aside and are willing to let someone who has literally been in the trenches participate first hand in their own recovery and the recovery of so many who can truly relate. I have not experienced these kinds of traumas, but this man’s courage to come out of his private hell to help himself, his family and so many others who desperately need it, is so inspirational. I have heard of Bella Ruth and I love her guided imagery and her heart. She is truly a woman who desires more than anything else to help people overcome whatever is ailing them. Bravo to all for this courageous endeavor! And may it reach many who are hurting to be finally free!
Having served eight years in the military and a tour in Vietnam I was immediately struck by the tone and demeanor of the First Sgt. Brought back a lot of memories and an immediate connection. I would love to be able to use this with some of my guys in the future.
This is awesome. At last. Something that is real! There isn’t anything I could disagree with and would not change a thing! I have discovered that quite a few people are very turned off by the use of a soft, gentle, soothing voice to begin guided imagery. Frankly, it has either irritated me or givwn me a bad case of the giggles thus I was unable to remain focused. This opening style would be an awesome tool to have in my toolbox, and I am more likely to use guided imagery now. A certified thanatologist (CT) is someone who is specializes in dying, death and bereavement, with an emphasis on complicated traumatic grief. So this is perfect!
Thank you so much!
Hazel Woodward, LPC, NCC, CT
Direct. To the point. From strength. From heart.
Two words: ‘WOW’ and ‘FINALLY’!!
I have been nowhere near the army but I feel some people who glide into a room who appear to have never heard a four letter word open their mouths and ‘preach’ – well I just think ‘who earth are they going to reach’ – except perhaps someone from their congregation/church or community….Their words become patronizing to anyone outside their community. What a relief and what irony that it took a patient to point this out. Also how sad that it took yet another tragedy (the suicide of his son) for our eyes to be opened – what this guy said is so blindingly obvious how did everyone of us miss it – or did not say anything!! This is a wonderful demonstration of how showing how our weaknesses and learning from our patients (more than our tutors) is so funadmental to The Work.
I am so very grateful you both presented this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart – the shell has been broken to allow those in need to finally enter…. Bless and a BIG THANK YOU for this :) mwaa xx
‘The secret of caring for the patient is to care for the patient’ Peabody l936
Norm! This is awesome! I sometimes work with people who have been abused or traumatized although not soldiers with PTSD. But I know what it means to “meet people where they are”. I love how “out of the box” the soldier’s intro is and can see how soldier’s are more likely to engage in this from his intro. They speak “hard core” and “to the point” as in no “pussy footin’ around”, with each other, which meets them in a place they immediately respect and understand!!! Excellent and a good sign for some hope for these soldiers. Well done.
I have worked with many patients who are either culturally from a place that doesn’t “allow” them to consider the touchy/feely world or their nervous systems/brains are just too high wired to just sit down and relax. I think his straightforward, honest approach will work for more than just soldiers.
A very interesting video illustrating the importance of listening to our patients’ needs and using an interactive approach to the healing work.
As interesting as this video is…it is not new info. or technique, however the style is obviously adapted to meet the needs of the military. Compassionate, skillfull means in action.
Many western spiritual traditions and eastern have used this technique for hundereds to thousands of years. We are just finally paying attention.
Beautiful way of meeting the client where they are. . . I’m posting on my Facebook!
What an interesting experience! As the Sergeant’s voice began, I felt REAL fear. Then, as he continued I discovered that nothing bad happened to me. And by the end of his introduction I was safe and comforted by his voice. Wow! I’m so grateful that we could buy the recording, and with it Belleruth’s other CDs. Her comfort and pacing is so healing, that I have played some every day. Thank you to Dave, George, Belleruth, and of course our dear Ruth B.
I was in Viet Nam many, many years ago, in the army. I could relate to what the retired serviceman was saying. It got my attention and I listened all the way through it. I wish there had been something like this when I came home from that war. As is said, there is a definite culture clash. Especially, when it’s an unpopular war as that one was. I did go to some veterans groups for quite a while, and they helped. I know my wife sure thought I had changed when I returned. Much later in life, I found I was Codependent and had ADHD. I’ve been working with a therapist for a good number of years now. It definitely does help. I’m happy there is more knowledge in the mental health field now, than there was then. I’m hoping that much more of it gets into the VA, so they can help the men and women who risked so much for our country and way of life. They deserve it.
I just wanted to let you know (from someone who has produced guided imagery tools in the past and who is a Gulf War Veteran) that this is a GREAT introduction for soldiers! I think it should build rapport and get most of them in the right mindset to start the relaxation process…
I love this! I am impressed by the delivery Dave puts forth. Coming from a family with several military branches represented, I respect the sub-culture & recognize that we as civilians do not and cannot know where these soldiers come from. The way Dave (hopefully) connects with the men & women of our military is fantastic! Thank you for sharing this with us!
Amazing. I’ve worked a lot with police and often wonder how our whole system will respond as vets return to the US. I think this may just be the kind of tool that will reach them. Nothing like speaking to people in their own “language”.
Man, Wish I had the guts to to this. Many Vets. tell me that they can not connect with the meditation, guided imagery groups.
This holds their attention at the begining. This technique will help many who is afraid to change or even look for new ideas to help heal themselves.
I like the way the soldier vioce it self became calming, more relaxed and the graphics help to exchange challenging times.
Where can I get a cd like this!
This is really helpful and powerful. Thank you!
Bellaruth continues to be super! In the past she did a workshop in our area.
Glad she broke the barrier. Glad this soldier got it together.
Ruth – I am SO deeply – touched and gratified and all the words I can’t think of right now – because you continue to push for the possible in therapeutic systems.
This video pushes past the demons that are screaming all the words about how terrible you are or how awful others are – the whole victim consciousness routine that separates you from all of humanity…and therefore from healing…and you’re positive NO ONE can understand…which is an integral part of the wound.
God Bless you from the bottom of my heart..!!
AMAZING!!!!
Very effective thanks for these insights
I am a former Marine Corps officer. During my tour, I met many men who were as hard core as they they come. These men were deeply committed to their mission, their troops and the Corps. Often this complete immersion, with such enormous responsibility, comes at great personal cost. I found this video full of truths with all its innuendoes, humor and, encouragement that would invite service people (men and women) to be able relax enough to engage in healing themselves. It brought a kind of lightness to my day, and helped me understand how I now find myself teaching Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction in a large engineering company. Thank you Ruth and Pamela for bringing an important reality to this work.
This is a marvelous video. The narrative is direct and straight from the heart. Dave’s intro creates a “bridge” between the disparate cultures of the military and the therapeutic milieu. The video was graphic in a very effective may, and the music and the tone of David’s voice were very effective in eliciting a sense of toughness and tenderness at the same time. What a wonderful collaboration—and a therapeutic success!
An excellent presentation. How can I get a copy?!
I have worked for many years with client who have experienced trauma and loss for overy thirty five years. I have had the copportunity to be exposed to Belleruth’s healing ten years ago due my ovwn trauma. I found her material both healing and enlightening. Through the years I have used many of her material with my clients. Now listening to this fabulous material for our military is awesome. We are preparing as a mental health commuinity to work with our heroes so this is not only timely but a very important piece for treatment of our warriors.
Excellent. Thanks so much for putting this together. A special thank you to Dave for sharing his insight and educating so many of us and for his service to the country. Dave, I admire your courage to speak up and get people to listen. You are continuing to work for a better tomorrow.
Amazing! Great intro! Go where they are. Funny, got their attention and a great lead in to what is to come, and they heard it from a brother. Doesn’t get any better than this. How can we get a copy of this video? It would be extremely helpful to show to some of our “tougher” clients.
I was looking forward to watching and listening to this presentation but the quality of it on the computer was very poor. It was stopping every few seconds and really impossible to watch. Thanks for making this information available but please make it more accessible.
Thank you very much, Belleruth has done such a good work in her life with her visualizations. She has inspired me to trust in this tool and indeed, it helped me very much with my clients. Once again, she brings something very interesting.Thank you Ruth for sharing all this.
Thank you for your contribution to all of us with trauma. To the point.
I was totally amazed by the visdeo. After having learned about neuroplasticity and how our brain receives and stores information, it made perfect sense for me. Soldiers are train to recieve orders and to be stimulated by being “tough”. I guess this introduction gives them a sense of trust and allows them to go into de guided imagery with a sense of doing their duty? The way I see it, is like “tricking”the brain to receive the guided imagery. I wonder if after having listened for a while to this introduction, they will be able to go right away into the imagery? Thank you for sharing the video.
Our experience with the active duty soldiers at Fort Sill is that yes, they are able to go right to the imagery after a brief while – sometimes from only listening to Dave’s intro once. But several of them liked listening to this track over again when they were feeling angry, frustrated or irritated and didn’t want to calm down – they wanted to laugh!
I’ve read the book and utilized Belleruth Naperstak’s guided imagery for truama…it is very powerful. Thank you for offering this opportunity to increase my knowledge about trauma and the mind/body connection.
ALCON (All Concerned), thanks again for your comments. The ones that really ring out to me are the ones of the family members. It is important to note that for every person that suffers from thier trauma types there is possibly a family exposed to the first, second and third order effects. For those whom have lived this trauma life with a VET be it father, mother, son or daughter thanks for not giving up on them!
I love the narrative and development of a new direction on the therapist’s DVD series. I was thinking of myself while listening to part of series introduced by the retired
Serviceman. I actually have had years being part of corporate America. I had grown into a pretty tough businesswoman now returning to school and becoming
a psychotherapist….talk about a culture clash! It took me awhile to realize it was the culture clash was effecting me. I survived that period but will never forget it.
I believe this DVD series, even though geared towards veterans may help many others who have lived their own wars. Thank you for this discussion and topic!
I have been a huge fan of Belleruth Naparstack for many years and have used her guided imagery CDs with a variety of patients over the years. My all time favorite guided imagery has been her guided imagery to healing PTSD. Yesterday I had a few moments before heading to my private practice to see patients and I watched this free video from NICABM and was delighted to learn that there is a new introduction to the guided imagery that is made specifically for military personnel by military personnel. My third patient of the day was a new patient. He came into my office and was pacing back and forth stating that he retired from the military in 2008, but his wife is insisting that she picked up a pamphlet on PTSD and that she believes he is suffering from this war related injury.
It took most of the session to just get the patient to sit down in the chair and face me to talk. At the end of the session I shared with the patient that there is guided imagery specifically for military personnel. The patient readily agreed to try it. He made an appointment for next week and last night I purchased the MP3. I am looking forward to seeing how he reacts to this intervention next week when we meet. I will refer him to the website to purchase this item if he has a positive response. Synchronicity!!!
The one cautionary note I would like to share is just as the original intro did not work for that individual, the new intro may not work for all veterans. Granted military culture is very different from civilian culture, but not all military personnel are the same nor share the same needs.
Absolutely spot on, Suzanne. No silver bullet for all with any intervention, including this intro.
And you’ll find quite a few warriors already know how to meditate like a champ – some of them learned how during their training to stay calm and focused under pressure.
And you’ll also find that some officers won’t be so amused by the rough talk of this audio.
As you say, everyone is different, even in the context of a common military subculture.
I so appreciate Gertrude and Sandy Mitchell’s comments. They opened the lens to the bigger picture of what is happening.
Yes, this is wonderful
healing for soldiers. It is also a great learning/reminder to meet people where they are.
But can we please not ignore how our acceptance of a crazy status quo perpetuates the enormous pain in the world? I see the need for people to
hold a larger vision of a world in harmony. Not just healing the local pain, which yes, is of course necessary and important.
I really enjoy reading the comments from people around the world. What great potential lies here to unify the world consciousness and move it in a healthy direction! In my mind the guided imagery is a picture of the earth in space…floating in the vastness. As I move closer there is
a sense of peace and harmony, equality, safety, enough for all. Inspiration, creativity, joy abounds.
This is a powerful introduction. I can understand how this is going to capture the attention of those who have had the training that he’d had in his military life. The power of his own story as he told of his personal loss has tremendous impact and answers a traumatized and grieving person’s thought “you don’t know how it feels to have gone through what I have.” It is a powerful endorsement. Thank goodness Belleruth that you were a professional who was willing to listen and learn. Thank you for sharing this story I would love to hear how the tape transitions to the guided imagery part what in NLP terms we might think of as ‘Pace and lead’. It was such a wonderful teaching example for me thank you.
This was a great thing to share. Dave’s approach is so right on. While I don’t work with former warriors professionally, I live with one. It is amazing to me the extent to which his war days experiences are so ever present. Of course individual coping methods differ widely but I feel it is important for us to understand a few basic things about the front line environment: the bonding; the interdependence and fierce loyalty to buddies which is each individual’s essential lifeline alter life forever. Dave’s approach utilizes his reality to reach and hopefully influence an otherwise hostile client.to participate in a venue which could really be helpful. Thank you both for the personal and professional expansion you continue to offer us.
No sound unfortunately!!
I am currently studying Warrior at Ease curriculum. I am seeking to incorporate meditation guided imagery, breathing and other yoga practices into my practice with person’s suffering from PTSD and others wanting to relax and heal. I think this video is very timely for me to see a great example of bridging the cultures and connecting to the warrior’s world. Thanks for sharing this. How do I get a copy?
This was very moving for me. ‘Meeting people where they are at’, really has to be the priority for all clients. Thank you for sharing x
I was eagerly listening…very hard to hear…then video stopped at 13.10
This seems so important–can it be truly made available? Thanks!
Thank you so much for this insightful, powerful and useful video. I’m bowled over by it, in a good way. Dave bridges the enormous gap, that we professionals who have no military connections, have failed to do, leaving us feeling bad. I love the way you talked about the morning ritual (a noisy one) being calming, familiar and soothing to the soldiers. I understand how come that is, now. Many thanks.
Thank you, Belleruth and Ruth, for sharing such a valuable, insightful video. Can you just imagine how his fellow comrades will feel listening to those powerful, insightful words? This is empowering to the soldier seeking help as well as the therapist seeking to heal. I love the way he leads his comrades, identifying with the military lifestyle and connecting even more through his heart-wrenching story about the loss of his son, bonding with his fellow soldiers, matching their experiences, and empowering them to open to the healing that is available through the use of guided imagery as well as giving them permission to get in touch with feelings/emotions. I am moved to tears by this very special soldier who just gave us a tremendous gift in his rendition of establishing rapport and allowing us to observe his magnificent ability to LEAD. It is a true blessing for us! Thank you so very much!
Excellent introduction! Makes perfect sense that this would be more engaging to soldiers than a traditional relaxation introduction. Good work.
I am not a soldier, however I am very interested in the myriad of ways that people are finding to reach out and touch each other. Great job! Once again, those who have been there lead the way for the others
It is the rapport and connection that will affect the positive change in learning or letting go. As a yoga instructor I find fascinating to know your population and talk to them. Personally I use poetry, story tellings and words from the soul in reaffirming students in the classes. I also know inmediately when a yogi is not connected to this, so I approach different to ge the hook. I am glad to see this phenomena with the army community. Thank you.
Perfect meeting of the minds via the middle man
Intense major steps taken from bringing a client that is incongruent and anxious, into a place of congruency by starting off in their safe place with famiiliar tones and words via a middle man who experiences empathic understanding of the militarys internal frames of reference and is then able to communicate this experience to the soldier addressing the woo woo and getting them past it for healing by using his own pain and suffering… referral system at its best!
Whoa-brought ters to my eyes- I have practiced meditation since child hood (presently 73) and this is exceptional as know many who this will open door for and be real
Brought tears to my eyes as have had past military traumas and possession in my life that were difficult to work with and like spoken I too have put the 45 in my mouth in former days – Fortunately at Holos (did graduate wotk there ThD) i did a session at ORP in 2004 where I realsed the possession
though I have meditated all these years this is defintely ideal for so many and especially those who have had to harden them selves
I would like to see results of this combined with PLT and hope tobe able to use it in thisfashin, as think the two would work excellent with each other
think this is spot on and know many I think who would benefit from it
In fact will refer to some folks I know
Tom Mount ND,PhD, ThD
This video reminded me of my late-husband – and I fully understand how this would have worked for him and his soldiers. I will definitely share with my friends who work with soldiers and others in high-risk, intense professions. Thank you!!
Because I am not a licensed mental health professional I do not treat mental illness or PTSD. My work is more goal oriented. But I have attracted a couple of soldiers, active and inactive for card readings and help with acclimating to civilian life. I watched your video and I could not agree more with your premise that we need to appeal to a persons culture or as I would call it their dominant archetype. The few soldiers I have worked with have very strong warrior archetypes and when I talk to them I talk to them like they are still in service and I call them on their “sh**” as needed. I would not talk to a person who invoked more of a nun or monk archetype but I can see how this would appeal to the warrior. I am very excited to see you understand and have put into practice what is needed to appeal to the individual.
I have used Belleruth’s guided imagery programs for my own healing journey. This was a very moving video and a wonderful point was made…. to find creative ways to help people by meeting them where they are. Thank you Ruth for shariing this, and thank you both Ruth and Belleruth for all the years of dedication to your work and helping others.
I have had experience of working with a few ex-military servicemen (my son is in this category) are
1. taught to operate as a team (the whole team can’t be wrong)
2. taught to think on their feet (the strategy can’t be wrong)
3. taught to be self reliant in emergency conditions (they can’t be wrong)
Yet when everything does go wrong – they are left to piece together what is left of their lives. Nothing makes sense to them. Soft voices and ‘tree hugging’ music bear no relation to how they feel inside. It isn’t ‘the way in’. Instead of the client entraining to the therapist it makes sense to me that the therapist should initially entrain to the client.
I relly respect that soldier’s input and believe he has opened the door for other tough guys to benefit from Guided Imagery and has taught all of us the import of meeting the client where he/she currently is located, emotionally and cognitively.
yes, yes, yes!!
Excellent and a wonderful intro for our vets and all abuse!
Bravo to you and thank you!
This video really touched my heart. In EFT tapping, we meet the client where they are at. And how clever to bring that into guided imagery. I can see how Vets will be able to relate to this introduction (their comfort zone) and to prepare them to feel safe enough to relax their mind and body. Dave you did an awesome job!
Annie Siegel Alexander- EFT Advanced Practitioner/Hypnotherapist
Unfortunately the presentation stopped every few words, so it required all my patience (and I DO have plenty), to listen through to the end. I found the presentation and the message to be worth the extra time required, but it would be much better if the video was reviewed so that it could be more fluent.
Hello Mary,
I am sorry you had a problem loading the video. If you do have this problem again we suggest pausing the video (using the controls at the bottom of the screen) and letting it load for 1-2 minutes before continuing to watch it. We also find that many problems are fixed by using Google Chrome as the internet browser.
Thank you,
Brandon
NICABM
How grateful I am that my freelance education covered this way back – in Scientology with the emotional level scale I learned that one must approach another on a very near emotional level as they are on or they will not tune in. Now you might say “Oh hell – another of those damn Scientologists!”… You have another think coming if this is the case – they couldn’t take my soul hostage with their manipulations any more than Airborne, Military Police could in the Viet Nam era! I am very fortunate to be able to sit through most any manipulative procedure and not react to it, but to study it and why it works on so many. I have empathy for those who become sheep by these methods and thus dedicate my life to learning how to help them out of the trances they are subjected to. I truly appreciate what I have learned from you, Ruth, and others as well. Now when I can get over the traumas inflicted by the one weakness I have – falling for the charms of manipulative females – I can go forth helping others. Funny, isn’t it? How I can resist forces like the mean old First Sargent, and even the Drill Instructors – but would fall for the poor me stories. This is because my mother programmed me that men were meant to serve women… Re-programming in progress!
This was very meaningful to me. My son is in the military. He wouldn’t be quite where this video is, but it was so powerful. Thanks.
Awesome. How is it possible that this brazen, bold, loud intro made me feel like i had been given back a part of my own voice – because honesty, openness, and vulnerability will lead us all, every time. Dave’s voice reached right into my heart. His authenticity and honesty speaks to and for everyone who has ever had a part of his or her self shut down; waiting to come out again. THANK YOU for the willingness to put this together, the quality of the product, and for sharing it . . . THANK YOU to each of you who participated !!! THANK YOU so much, Mary Ellen
When the gentleman opened up with the drill, I was alarmed and somewhat disappointed, but as he continued in his rapid fire way of speaking, I began to fall in line and got interested in his story. I feel the introduction is good. But I have not heard the guided imagery aspect. I would like to see how the two different voices and messages pair up.
That was fabulous! I could relate.
Thank you Belleruth! It is a challenge guiding people with PTSD through relaxation. What a wonderful gift you have given our GIs. You have demonstrated what Pema Chodrum teaches…”Start where you are.”
Thank you for this. I loved the video. It is so important to meet people where they are with GI and I would have made the same mistake with a soldier that I had treated I am sure.
This is a wonderful example of how to be more effective as practitioners and it demonstrates so ably how art and creativity are always an important and effective part of the work we do.
For us to always to honour each indivual and to deeply listen and be flexible.
Fantastic thank you.
I have just started working with Australian Indigenous Youths. Most have multiple traumas including intergenerational ones. I shall consult them about how to introduce guided imagery.
Yes! Sincere and energetic, and a good reality check too. Thanks belleruth and dave.
It blew me away with its forcefulness and directness. I see how appropriate the introduction is to reach people who, like Dave, are suffering from the impact on their minds of being regularly under extreme conditions requiring the highest levels of resilience and courage in the face of traumatic events and circumstances.
It brings to the fore the importance to always speak the client’s language, and not only literally, as a way of connecting with the client where they are at and of creating a safe, congruous context in which they are able to reground themselves and regain a healthy hold on their lives.
I’m a community counselor. I’m also the wife of a serviceman and the daughter of a police officer. This intro and the soldier behind it are perfectly in step with the needs of our brave men and women who serve. He is connecting with clients in their reality. A fantastic resource. Thanks for serving those who serve.
Thank you, Ruth, and Belleruth, Dave, and George! I am seeking outside the box approaches for lowering the fight or flight response in my couples when one or both have a short trigger yet low pulse rate. Seems to be happening in ones with a lot of chronic and severe body pain. i have been making referrals for alternative med for pain mgmt and elimination, but want to be able to deliver mindfulness training that works for them-so far, deep breathing aint it!
Also, a funny memory I have is of listening to Belleruth’s guided imagery for pregnancy and childbirth 11 years ago. There is a phrase in there that always gave me an initial “ACK!” and then later I could just laugh about it which is also good : “…all the women that came before you and will come after you…”
The one thing I would change about that intro was the assumption that listeners will have to be on meds for the rest of their lives. We are finding in the last 2 years since Robert Whitaker’s book Anatomy of an Epidemic there is a shift in paradigm coming where psych meds are being questioned based on Whitaker’s careful research and expose. Here in Portland, Oregon we have a movement called Rethinking Psychiatry and next week is our second annual symposium! http://www.rethinkingpsychiatry.org/
I am looking forward to more of these awesome shifts to better solutions of wellness!
It was so insightful and in hindsight, seems so obvious and logical. Speaking to someone in a familiar voice really was the key. I am glad to have had the opportunity to learn about this.
So where can we purchase the CD with Dave’s intro on it?
Here is the link for the full program: http://www.healthjourneys.com/Product_Detail.aspx?id=594&mcid=&catid/. I’ve also just been advised that the intro alone is available on iTunes under Dave Raul’s name.
This is wonderful. It made me cry so that is always a good marker in my book. I know we will now have a gazillion more soldiers and veterans trying guided imagery now than ever before. What could be better?
Stands to reason when you train and ingrain in a warrior the need to be tough as nails, it will take the other end of the hammer to pull out the nails that have been deeply hammered in him. (You can quote me, I just made this up!) So this is the other end of the hammer, what Belleruth has to offer. But just to be open to listen to it takes guts. And this wonderful man has stepped forward to offer his hand to his brothers, and sisters in the armed forces.
I will do my part to spread the word. I work at an EAP helping police, firefighters, EMTs, older and newly discharged armed service vets, and disaster workers and victims alike. I always recommend Belleruth’s company, her guided imagery and the others she promotes.
Thanks for another great product.
JoAnn Murphy, MS, LCSW
Thank you for sharing, I really appreciate this. It touched me deeply. It is easy to foresee how important it is to meet the client, or anyone for that matter, where the client is, but instead of going forward in an idea of what you think is the appropriate approach. Even though I have this in mind your approach was outside of my box and I loved it. Great reminder!
I love the video – The experience of the soldier when he met the psychotherapist and the introduction to the guided imagery. Thanks for sharing.
This video demonstrates – “Meeting clients where they are.” It is very important especially while working with clients from a culture that is different than our own.
Brilliant!!!!!! Is this available for distribution?
Thank you for sharing your work.
Claudia
Here is the link for the full program: http://www.healthjourneys.com/Product_Detail.aspx?id=594&mcid=&catid/.
I’ve also just been advised that the intro alone is available on iTunes under Dave Raul’s name.
Having worked in domestic violence field for 15 years I absolutely agree with this The approach needs to meet the person where they are at this point in time. This soldier has it just right well done and Thanks
Tears in my eyes! As a practitioner, but also as the mother of two Marines ( 5 tours of duty in the Middle East between them ), this hit home for me.
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful!
Thank you for sharing this touching, real intro to meditation…
WOW! I’m so very grateful to have heard this intro. it teared me up. Having survived childhood with a soldier Father and sexual abuse, I raised a son; a soldier, who has attempted to end his life twice. To have Dave’s Hard Ass voice connect to a place in me; I’ve been unable to all me life, is a life line. I know a number of Hard Cores that could really use this thunder to break through their resistance. Thanks
I related to it.and it is true cultures have to be a recognition when treating a person with ptsd. I truly believe this manner is an excellent step in helping many people. tThank You for sharing
Awesome, I love his cadence. It makes so much sense. From my studies in Music therapy we would use music to meet people where they are and then slowly change the music to go where they wanted to be. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Well, there it is, isn’t it? Be where the client is. I have heard that and said that to supervisees for more than thirty years. It works in the context a talk therapy. Why not introduce the relaxation exercise with “soldier contextual” language. Good idea, Dave! Thanks so much for cluing us therapists in!
I attended Belleruth’s PTSD Workshop in Atlanta two weeks ago. This is powerful follow-up to an amazing day with Belleruth!! Thank you for making it available, Patricia
I have been working in Somalia in 91, just after Siad Barre was chased from Mogadiscio. It was a hell of an experience to work in a place full of war-crazed children and civilians, I worked there for half a year and the experience changed my life, I had a debriefing with a psychotherapist who was so upset about the stories I told, that I stopped seeing her. I never shared my stories with anyone, it was to gruesome. I listened to your video and was amazed that I recognised the feelings and sayings of David! It is a good way to reach traumatised soldiers/ workers who were in a war-zone! Thank you for this.
Dear Ruth,
I am so grateful to hear this story, particularly, how Dave would changed the idiosyncrasy of the psychotherapist, towards her new therapeutic approach to different individuals with different professional formation or backgrounds.Also how she was opened mind to hear and get into this new challenge!
I have been working with terminal patients in the UK, most of them with military structure and really ex-military. I have learned that I have to talk and think at the some level as a soldier or someone with military education (using military intonation, strong and firm) even regards their medication, special diet, hygiene, and everything that involves to met their needs for a better quality of life until the end (and how impressed me is that later on they call me and ask me to talk to them). As a result, their acceptance has been beyond my imagination, has even prolonged their lives expectancy (months and years) and their families are happy too. I have the most fascinating experience with them! As a physician and psychotherapist, I am trilled that we can help patients to accept and enjoy life now, using our wisdom, versatility mixing with science and love.
Ruth, I loved it! After the hurricanes I went down to Louisiana for numerous reasons, including my native status and subsequent 30 year absence. What I learned doing psychotherapy groups with these down to earth aging Cajun folk was one thing. When you speak their language, you soothe a part of them that turns from trouble to laughter. Example: Cher! You not givin me trouble first ting in d’morning? My favorite BPD melted like butter. I now use this part of myself, I thought I’d have to abandon back in my adopted New England home, with young people, delightful eccentrics and people of color who’ve been through the roughest of street times. It’s true. Each individual is different. What I love about psychotherapy, is it calls on all my own life experiences and then we get stretched even more. To me there’s no greater calling than getting to be in the present like this. Thanks for the video. I was wondering if I was equipped to deal with this population. Now I’m more open minded.
Great approach – would love to see an Australian version – can see its potential here for our defence and veteran communities as well as police etc.
This makes total sense to me – I’ve always wondered why massage practitioners feel compelled to play dolphin music (and the rest). Treatments, in what ever form they come in, need to be tailored to suit the client, not the other way round. We, as practitioners, are there to facilitate, help guide and support our clients to find a place where they feel comfortable and ready to deal with the things that trouble them. This video is a very good example of how we practitioners need to get over ourselves and stop coming from a place of ego, and rather from a place of compassion. A truly powerful lesson this man speaks and I’m all up for supporting this approach. Continue the great work and if there’s anything I can do to support this in the UK then I will.
This is excellent, and makes worlds of sense. It is so true that the military is a culture unto itself and we must gear our approach to fit.
I’d LOVE to see a Canadian version of this intro. :-)
Thanks for your great work and for helping us to help…..
Very powerful. Great way to connect with a world so different from the one we therapists usually live in.
very moving and instructive
I agree, .. this direct, plainly spoken introduction to the concept and beneficial effect that guided imagery can provide is most appropriate for the particular group of persons at which it is aimed. As therapists, we can all identify with the absolute need, early in the process of intervention, to establish connection with our clients, especially those who have traumatic psychological injuries. A clinician’s inability to gain rapport and connection with such clients may contribute yet more to their distress. This intro to the DVD and the type of familiarity and identification it provides to soldiers offers an additional and valid way to bridge the sometimes enormous gap perceived between the experiences of e.g. soldiers and non-combatant therapists. I find this website extremely interesting, informative and helpful. Thank you.
I spent 25 years working with military veterans, the soldier is right – we have to meet them where they are at, and they are in a very different state than their therapist – indeed Milton Erickson suggested that “therapists meet all clients where they are, if possible”. I would have thought that the 60% failure rate of traditional psychotherapy is a conservative estimate. Military recruit training, core training and battle experiences are essentially a body, a physical experience – much of their skills and battle experiences are encoded in their physiology, one can see that by the way they walk. Meeting the veteran at their voice is very important – their harsh voice keeps them alert – something that I have emphasised to therapists and counsellors in Australia. Also important is their eyes – their persistent, chronic use of peripheral vision, watching for danger when it is not there. This keeps their body tense. Interventions that encourage macular vision are important. Interventions that soften the body are important. And we’re not even talking about PTSD as of yet! With PTSD it is important to find some way to move trauma memories from implicit memory to explicit memory. Then the veteran can more easily learn about the range of social issues he (they) must deal with
in civilian life. Military experiences turn off the social brain, the above interventions assist in turning it back on again.
Brian, see the report that we put out just this morning about a body-based intervention.
This man’s type of emotional response is true to my experience.
So often PTSD clients don’t want to access *help*. It’s kinda sissy.
Physically, on the massage table they at first prefer a firmer treatment.
Once they warm up to touch, if you’re so lucky, gentle methods
go deeper into releasing the issues. Cranial Sacral Therapy helps
percolate and release trauma better than anything I know.
Then hypnosis and CB provide a complete support system.
About lead-ins to relaxation, hypnosis and bio-feedback, I say do
what works.
This is PERFECT for PTSD vets. I worked at the VA with vets who had PTSD and wish I’d had this in my toolbox. They’re such a tough, yet soft underneath, pupulation. I laughed, and I cried while watching this video. This is such a great example of creating products that speak to specific populations and their unique needs. Thank you for sharing, and I will certainly pass this gem on.
This is the exact direction my understanding needed to go at this very time and in this situation that a group of us are dealing with at this precise time!
I would be very glad to be able to purchase a download, or a DVD, if that would become available. Also, a “continuation”, with some more hints with different gentle ways to point toward “Love being the answer”, and not come across to the one who is hurt, as “condescending”/,- “I have learned a better way, – this makes me better than you”, etc., so they could begin to feel accepted unconditionally.
That also would be extremely valuable!
(I hope that didn’t sound like I was diminishing the value of the video as it is, – it is very, very, very, helpful for the setting I am in right now.) And I want to join with everyone else in thanking all those who contributed to that very enlightening learning experience. I hope I can apply it wisely.
Thank you all so much!
Joe
Hi Joe, the CD or MP3 are available at Health Journeys – here is a link to that specific one. http://www.healthjourneys.com/Product_Detail.aspx?id=594&mcid=&catid=
But just so you know, neither Belleruth nor I put this video interview together in an attempt to get you to buy this. We are on a mission here to get these ideas out to everyone.
Also, look in your email this morning, you should have received something about a free report that we just published.
Ruth
WOW. Wonderful. It makes so much sense to approach clients in their own language. How wonderful it is that this retired soldier developed an intro with the help
of others that had experienced a trauma as well. No one wants to jump into a foreign experience, especially when in a vulnerable state, without some preparation.
Thank you so much for sharing!
I was in the US Army and I think this kind of treatment for soldiers is much needed. Way to go, Belleruth!
This is absolutely “spot on” and what a wonderful gift you have brought to our Service Members Belleruth – YOU have made a significant , positive difference!!!
Col Chambers, thank you for your service and for all that you have done to try to bring effective methods like guided imagery to soldiers.
Ruth
Is it possible to buy a copy of the cd to use with soldiers?
I was also a bit shocked at the into at first, but surprisingly found it both calming and empowering. I became disabled from TBI after being hit by a drunk driver 6 years ago. It has been a long road back and I have been committed to doing the work with my therapist. I was a successful take charge PR professional. So taking a step back to focus on a recovery for six years can become frustrating and defeating. I lost my mom last year and that grief slowed the process. The hardest part is the guilt that I couldn’t get well faster. That there’s something more I could be doing. People look at you and say, you look fine how could you have a brain injury? And you learned early that mentioning the depression either makes people look at you like you just need to pull it together or as if that means you might be crazy. So you avoid the topics all together to keep from being wounded further. So you start to think why can’t I just get it together and get my life back? About 3 months ago I started listening to guided imagery from Bellruth and it has been a tremendous support. But when you feel a need to just rush recovery and pull your life together, sometimes you can feel guilty spending time in your happy place. It almost feels like a guilty luxury. This introduction made me feel like someone was finally giving me permission to own my recovery and not apologies for it. My therapist does that yes, but their was something different about hearing this warrior take charge of his recovery. The into made me feel that their is true value in this work that I’m doing and this fight that I’m fighting. That this work is no less valuable that the work I did when I had a fancy job title. Thank you
Now I know why I kept trying to get in, and even “bothered” to ask for your help. Very touching, a lot of feelings ;} Thanks!!!
Hilarious!! I have used Belleruth’s CD’s with most of my classes (Psych of Death/Dying, Psych of Loss/Grief) and there are everyday, noncombat folks who also cannot relate well to the soothing music and voice. This is so real and human. Thanks for the intro… truly tells it like it is.
Thank you for sharing this powerful story as presented by Belleruth Naparstek. The soldier’s experience and his introduction to the GIM recording are remarkable. In music therapy we talk about the iso-principle which involves matching the music to the patient’s mood. It seems to me that this remarkable patient will reach many other trauma survivors by matching his introductory message to the listener’s mood – and needs. Bravo to him and to Belleruth!
I believe this video has much value for everyone; lay person, professional, veteran, and current soldier alike. It’s a teaching for all of us. After a guided imagery, one of my former clients (at a 9 stress level) said she felt like she just took a Xanax. It took all of 5 minutes We must do whatever it takes to help allow our clients feel they can trust us, feel safe, and feel comfortable. Ruth, I have passed this along to a friend who served in Viet Nam and asked him to pass it along to his army buddies for their thoughts and feelings. I end all my sessions with a guided imagery…even if it is for two minutes and the feedback is amazing.
I believe this intro will influence many men who have experienced trauma to give guided imagery and try and become healthier for it! Kudos to Belleruth for her willingness to be open to new ways of presenting the material, and working with others to improve the collective work of Guided Imagery. Awesome!
Powerful stuff am sure it will hit home to soldiers in trouble.
1.You should address the trauma experiences, in its own language- in the language of war – in this case.
2.The trauma survivers need someone to share their experiences who are able to bear the unbearable, can and want to hold it, contain it, go through the whole experience with the client. Usually it is the first condition to make themselves to exposure again. The trauma survivors should make sure that he will be in secure during this , with a person who can reach him, and strong enough to share the carrying of “rugsack” with him, to risk reliving the monstrosities. – Who could be more valid helper than a former fellow?
A professional helper from “normal life” is often not familiar with these experiences in emotionally, just only cognitive, and not seems to be enough valid, enough strong, or reachable for the survivor to accept him/her and her tools (bringing from the “normal life” ).
Thanks for the video, it is very nice.:)
Im looking forward to get know about the further results of your work!
I am happy for the people to whom it may help.. thanks for your care
This is an excellent video that will reach a whole new population of trauma survivors. Being a survivor myself, plus the daughter of a Marine Corps drill sergeant, this really spoke to me and showed me that there are many ways to meet people where they are at with their individual trauma & personality. The important thing is making someone feel comfortable enough to keep coming for help after taking that huge first step. This is fantastic!!
Thank you so much for making this video available . It immediately reminded me of what we have learned about ourselves from infant research. Dr. Beatrice Beebe illustrates this beautifully when she demonstrates and mimics what attuned parents do instinctively. They initially approach the crying infant in a high pitched tintense voice, just a couple of notches lower than the infant’s intensity and pitch and then gradually only when that has caught the infant’s attention do they begin to lower the pitch and intensity and thus re -regulate the infant. I think this is also what is being aimed at here. These guys cannot be on board unless they are met where they are . Actually I think this lesson could apply to many traumatized patients and perhaps we need other recordings that initially are at a faster and more intense pitch and gradually come down to where a healthy system lives.
I work at a behavior health hospital, teaching Yoga and Meditation to active duty Service Members, in recovery with PTSD, chemical dependency or dual diagnosis. The challenge is alway getting the Service Member to choose to take the classes. The video gave me some new ideas on how to language the marketing materials I am creating to promote the classes to the patients.
The challenge is always the perception of the activity, and ,upon release, the availability of support when they return to their posts.
Thank you Dave, thank you George, thank you Bellaruth and thank you Ruth! You have created a moving and wonderful tool for our vets and our first-responders. Also, thanks for challenging all professionals to remain open minded and to consider new ways to meet individuals “where they are.”
And so the student becomes the teacher …. it is such a grateful feeling to see and understand your willingness to “open awareness” while providing dedicated and humanistic services to those in need. Blessings to you, Belleruth Naparstek and Ruth Buczynski in your work.
Thank you for sharing your work. It shows importance of building rapport and matching energy level of client to start with and leading him to a calmer energetic state where he is more receptive to the more gentle visualisation techniques. I wish him continued health and happiness.
In the OT mental health field we work hard to meet our pts. where they are. We are continually looking for new coping tools for their personal tool box that assist them in living their lives to the fullest. I have introduced many of health journey’s guided imagery CD’s to my groups.
Your message of meeting the person where they are is perfect! What a wonderful colabortion! Thank you so much for sharing this video !!!!
As in many helping professions, there is interest in mine in aiding military personnel and vets. I will be sharing this with my colleagues. We provide bodywork (massage and passive movement) in warm water which can evoke even more strongly the softness of voice and approach that is being reconsidered here. Aside from the use of language and tone that more effectively matches the receiver’s own … I’m reminded of how, with people who are wound-up or muscle-bound-up such that their bodies also carry that tension, it can be more effective to begin bodywork with firm, deliberate, maybe faster, movements. This can (counterintuitively) help them to relax, while anything softer can be intensely irritating. (Of course, you do need to know that this will be safe for them if they have had injuries that preclude that.) After a while, it is possible to tone the bodywork down, in the same way that we hear this soldier’s voice toning down as the video extract proceeeds. Many thanks for this valuable video and all the comments made.
As a Psychotherapist who has worked with adult survivors of severe abuse for nearly 30 years and who has used and recommended Bellaruth’s Cd’s for just about forever, I was in awe of this powerful new introduction and the courage of this man to step up and let all of us learn from him. This will be so useful for so many. I know that just listening to his experience with the “old” introduction, his reactions, and listening to the new introduction, I have learned so much. All I can say is a big THANK YOU!
Thank you for sharing this. It is very moving story on many levels…. Thanks also for the introduction and for reminding us Culture includes experiences and life styles.
As the wife of a retired combat veteran, I found myself in tears shortly after the 1SG’s intro began. It is amazing and I know will help many many soldiers embrace something helpful they may have otherwise rejected. It took YEARS of me listening to it all the time to get my husband to listen to Healing Trauma in its traditional version, but when he eventually did, it helped him come back to himself and to me and I am so thankful. I can’t wait to show him this new intro because I know he will be excited it is now in a format that he might be able to introduce to his buddies. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!
My father was a U.S. Army veteran, a Nisei (second generation Japanese American) whose military experience during World War II was highly formative. His role model for being a father was drill sergeant. As a result, my brother and I were trained by our father to snap to attention, march, take the “at ease” stance, do “KP” for meal preparation, and instead of being spanked we did push-ups. I am a big fan of guided imagery, having used it myself since 2008 with very good results, and I know that one of the biggest problems in effectiveness is whether the person listening is soothed by the recorded voice, or irritated by the recorded voice, and this is a highly personal matter. I’m excited by the video presented here, since it provides an energizing, practical, and very touching bridge between the world of some soldiers, the trauma they’ve experienced, and guided imagery’s helpful toolbox. What I don’t see in this video are images of our many military personnel who self-identify as African American, Asian Pacific Islander American, and darker-skinned Latina/o, or anyone who might upon recognition be perceived as a “person of color,” regardless of their ethnicity. I think with the inclusion of more diverse military persons, that this video would be much more effective.
Perfect! As a tree-hugging, touchy feeling pacifist, I could never in a million years cross this bridge on my own. Bravo! Thank you!
Hi Belleruth,
I appreciate your taking time to respond to the posts that Gertrude made. I can’t speak for Gertrude (though I’d very much like to speak with her), but my message was in no way an exhortation to try to bring politics into the treatment room. My comments were aimed at the community of treatment providers, to perhaps start to look at the contexts in which our clients acquired their wounds, so that we don’t miss the forest for the trees.
I spent 15 years as a domestic violence therapist, working with guys who had gotten tagged ‘perpetrators.’ Given the number of VN-era aged clients I had, I learned to anticipate that about once a year, one of my clients would experience a total life-meltdown during his time in our treatment program. Some unanticipated situation in their life would trigger a major unraveling of any prior stability in their life. Their marriage or relationships would dissolve, alcohol and drug problems would intensify as they struggled to regain a sense of control. Usually they would call me and describe their condition just prior to entering a psychiatric and/or drug treatment program as a first step in the long, slow process of re-building their lives.
When they were stable enough to re-enter our DV treatment program I would take as much time as they wanted and needed to process the recent chaos they’d lived through. It was always the case that something had triggered a war-related PTSD event that they’d never been able to share. Sometimes it involved their facing having participated in an atrocity that they’d been pressured to participate in, and had then been ordered to never talk about. They carried a burden of shame that finally burst free from wherever they’d damned it away. Thankfully none of my Vet clients committed suicide, and facing their shame began a healing process for them. As I witnessed their suffering the totally predictable effects of their having tried to ‘be a good soldier’ in an unnecessary war, my silent question was always, “Why? Why do we put people through these experiences?” I hear a lot about how ‘our troops are over there keeping us safe.’ I don’t buy it. I see a lot more evidence that as a nation we’re inflicting huge amounts of damage on these soldiers and the countries we’ve invaded under pretexts that don’t stand up to much scrutiny.
Belleruth, I think you’re doing wonderful work. And I liked the video clip presented here, because I’ve always found that the only thing that works for me in any kind of treatment setting, and with any population of clients, is to be conscious of their need to be accepted and met where they are. So I’m happy that the Vets you work with and for are getting the great benefit of your great heart.
That said, I am troubled by my observation that psychology (and associated fields in the human services) are so caught up in ‘pulling the victims out of the water’ that we’re not even talking about how we might ‘go upstream to stop whoever’s pushing them in.’
Perhaps you know of some association of practitioners that is exploring how we, as professionals, might become more organized and affiliated in such a way that we can work towards ‘working ourselves out of a job’ so to speak. I don’t know of such an effort, and would love to hear from anyone who might know of one.
I don’t think my profession requires me to withdraw from the larger social conversation about the extremely negative direction our society is headed in, especially when it involves our nation’s policies damaging the numbers of Vets we see. The amount of trauma we’re unnecessarily inflicting on ourselves and others is going to be straining our resources and eroding our social fabric for a long, long time to come…
Wow, I have worked in the past with returning soldiers. I wish I would have had this Video/CD! As others have stated meeting the client where they are is the key to the human connection. I have worked with several returning veterans and their families. I believe if I had been able to share these tools with my clients and their families the benefit would have been tremendous.
Also, I have a son that has done four tours, three to Iraq and one to Afganistan. i believe that if he had a chance to experience this type of psychotherapy he would be much farthur along in his journey with the healing process. Thank you and bless you for sharing this video. I will definitely share the information with my family and other professionals.
Great!
Between the tears and the laughter my husband and I watched this together. Many combat vets among our families and friends so this is close to our hearts. Had heard the cd with Dave’s voice and sent it on to my dear brother…Vietnam combat vet…several months ago. The changes/healing he is experiencing are touching all of our lives with joy. Seeing the video is even more amazing. Passing it on!
Thankyou so much, Ruth and Belleruth…you are a pretty darn dynamic duo yourselves!
This introduction isn’t just for official warriors.
Many people, even women, carry this warrior mentality in everyday life. A way I know this to be so is that I am in the exercise world. The demand for boot-camp, kick-butt leaders will over-crowd a room and cause sign-ins to be necessary so there is enough room that people don’t kick each other in the work-out.
When employment has sagged, gym membership and this beat-yourself-up stuff, even in yoga, has increased. People blame themselves for things they didn’t cause, and then they want to get beat up, as penitence.
No pain/no gain is not official policy in gyms any more. Now it is somewhat forbidden fruit, and over-working-out persists.
Suicide is an epidemic all over the planet right now. In China, overwhelmed women in the countryside drink pesticides. The suicides in India have been well publicized. In places where cost of living is high and employment unavailable, we see the sad consequence often on the news.
The only place I know of that has reduced its suicide rate dramatically is Western Lapland. There, a method of dealing with first instance of severe emotional challenge has been invented and implemented. It is called Open Dialogue, and it works to get at the ideation that underlies disagreements and unhappiness among individuals and their social environments.
This introduction will help more people than those it was specifically designed for. Warrior culture is widespread. Thank you for putting this up on the net.
After working as both a staff RN and also as a supervisor at a VA hospital, I understand why this would work. Working 20 years in emergency nursing and EMS. I can relate with the “tough guy” and no non-sense approach this takes. I can also understand why Dave bolted from the first session. Listening within the person’s context, whether as a nurse or psychotherapist, is essential to build trust and rapport. This introduction is great for those who have not been in the military and would not understand the military culture. I was glad the pictures showed both men and women, different services and ranks which is important to who is in service now. Wonderful video and well done.
This presentation touched me some much. I have PTSD and I can relate to this intro. Thank you for doing this.
Well done! At the first International Symposium for Contemplative Studies held in Denver CO this last April 26-29, we struggled with the same issue: how to bring mindfulness to our patients with addiction who can’t sit still. This example is showing the way.
Annie
I had to learn about the cultural differences of First Responders, Police, Firemen & Iron Workers, in the midst of responding to Ground Zero.
Belleruth was kind enough to send along with me to the WTC her PTSD tapes. As I shared with Belleruth upon my return, they were not received well by the men on site, which was where we were. I wish I could have taken THIS version of Belleruth’s guided imagery to the World Trade Center.
But now we have it!!!!! Woo HOOO!!! I am so grateful to Dave for being willing to step into this form of support and educate the rest of us about just how important this ‘approach’ can be.
My emotional response to this video?
Both JOY and TEARS! A relief for certain!
Thank YOU Belleruth.
Miranda
I am currently in training with WAE (Warriors at Ease) to teach yoga and meditation to vets.
the intro to this video is very powerful, and a reminder that it is so necessary to “start where we are”
and the importance of understanding military culture. In our training, we emphasize the creating of a “safe container”
Even though I have been an instructor for over 25 years, the WAE training is specific to the warrior mindset.
thanks so much
Lauri
This is a great intro.Very moving! Several years ago I had the opportunity of being part of an interview team for operation “Battle Mind.” It was a real eye opener. Even though I spent eight years in the Air Nation Guard, and the Air Force Reserve, I never saw the extreem conditions our returing GI’s have witnessed. From the small sample of men and women I interviewed, my rough guess was that there were about 10% PSTD. Their fear was that they did not want to have their true feelings known . If so, they might be seen by the others as not strong enough, or be passed over. Denial was very much part of the situation. Some, in civilian life, were still carrying their weapons, and “hitting the deck” at any loud sound. I worry for those returning vets as we bring the remaining troops home in the year to come.
This effort is a great example of encouraging the treatment recipient to be the driving force of their recovery and growth! Also, I’m greatly pleased to see the collaboration between providers and the use and application of raw cultural input into the treatment.
I really appreciate that you put out this video. I have been pondering how I could avail myself to the veterans coming back. I have an opportunity to sign up to a program called “Give an Hour”. This program is for veterans and the therapist offers an hour of therapy per week pro bono for a year to veterans. I was wary to sign up because I was not sure if I would be able to connect with them due to being a civilian all of my life and not sure if I could understand their experiences. This video gives me the confidence of realizing that we all have skill sets that can benefit this population. Thank you Ruth for this wonderful video and all that you do.
Blissfully
Karen Piekarski LCSW
This of course makes perfect sense. Thank you for sharing it. So the idea is to use this introduction prior to having the client listen to the guided imagery… how do we get a copy of it?
I learned that “relaxation therapy” ONE SIZE FITS ALL did NOT work for chronic pain patients either, especially those who were “just an expense number on an accountant’s spreadsheet in workers’ compensation” and the goal was to “get rid of you”. The patients were numbers, not people; then I became one and I took it all personally and it took YEARS to realize I was NO PERSON to them, just a “too smart” patient they could not get rid of. Almost a degree in sociology taught me to study the “entrainment to meet the diagnostic expectations” and become who they expected me to be. I too rebeled. No therapy out there helped me and the thousand or so WC patients who had been injured 8+ years and had over 800 sessions of therapy and been blamed for their ‘failure.’ My clinic became so unique and so successful if we were not “right on track” in 3 sessions we staffed them and figured our how WE WERE FAILING THEM. The average finished and exited the system in 10,2 visits as useful, proud adults again, by taking control and learning to tell health professionals who to treat them using new behaviors that were not in the rule book written in 1956 on “How to be a good patient”. They took back what other therapists and MDs had taken away – their adult role in life and we wrote a new rule book. I invented new therapies as all traditional ones failed me, so we built new ones that worked. The first change I had to make was to LISTEN to them and HEAR what they said, show them they were right – they had REAL PAIN – and became coach [not therapist] so they developed their solution to controlling their pain, trashed the stigma and failure labels, adapted goals a bit and returned to a life they could be proud of. Trauma changes every cell in the body so the sooner they understood, the sooner they changed course, and got on with their new life with a new ATTITUDE. My website needs pain professionals willing to change paradigms and LISTEN to each person before 800 failed sessions have destroyed the brain, body and spirit. I think this into is great even not having a close personal friend go thru this experience, living in constant pain creates high divorce and suicide. Our 1956 rule book stinks and we need a new one and this is a great start. GREAT JOB!
Been doing healing work on myself for over 25 years can see how this intro would have really spoken to me. Perhaps move me aheadseveral years.
When I first started my private practice 35 years ago, I seemed to draw mostly Vietnam Veterans. At the time it seemed like a cruel irony as I was barely past my Flower Child years. (Yes, I actually protested war by putting daisies in the barrels of soldiers’ guns.) But for some reason, these guys trusted me anyway and kept referring their friends to me. The accepted understanding in those days, especially by the Vets, was that if you hadn’t been there (Vietnam), you could never understand. Of course, on one level that is absolutely true. But on another, even if you were there, you had your own individual experience that no one could ever fully get.
For me two things happened.
First, when a Vet just could not believe my empathy for what they’d been through, I would share some of my own story with them.
“While you were over there fighting for our country, I was a Vista Volunteer in the Deep South fighting over here.” Even though my history was completely different, I could honestly say to them “I’d bet anything that what I felt about it was similar to how you felt.” I started calling it “transferring empathy from parallel experiences”. And once a basis for understanding was formed, the dams would break and the flood gates open. (By the way, this helped me feel actual gratitude for the many traumas in my own life.)
The second lesson I learned was priceless and still helping me today. I had this crotchety old long haul trucker as a client. (If you knew me, these clients I was getting would shock you…seemingly so out of context!) He would say to me again and again, “Darlin’, if you want me to believe anything you are sayin’, you’re gonna have to toss in a swear word every now and then!” This was the true beginning of my understanding of meeting my clients where they were, not where I wanted them to be.
Since then, in memory of that old trucker, I will start out in a first session, trusting my gut and speaking what I intuit is the language of my new client. I might even casually insert the F word. This seems to correct any misconceptions the client has formed based on my appearance. Yes, I guess wrong sometimes and am even offensive, but after 35 years, more often I’m right. Then we are off and running.
Watching this poignant video reminded me of all of this and I am grateful to know there are such conscientious practitioners who are dedicated to helping our Vets when they get home.
Hi Everyone,
If the video is freezing while you are trying to watch, please try the following: let the video start and then click on the pause button in the bottom left of the video. Allow the video to load for a few minutes and then click play. This will give the video time to load so that it doesn’t freeze. Many people with slower internet connections have used this trick to watch it continuously.
If you have any questions, please email me: max @ nicabm.com
Thank you
Belleruth is a friend… did some TV with her years ago. I was also in VN during the wars years. Five years, over a decade. I know Belleruth is the best. One thought about this tape… it’s excellent, but make another version with a normal frame rate. Practically everybody in in the world has broadband now. If you don’t think so, you can offer the VERY SLOW frame rate video as well… but it’s quite frustrating. I NEVER see a video that plays that slowly. Sure, the sound is there, but you have to look away not to feels something’s wrong. Good work, on the whole.
I have known Belleruth Naprstek since she first published her CASSETTES with Time Warner in 1994. We sold them in our retail store before we even knew what they were… but thought the titles would reach a wide range of health or life challenged individuals. Winthin thwo weeks we put the STROKE cassette to use when a colleague’s son suffered a stroke and he was in a coma…. playing the Cassette over and over at his bedside, he awoke the next morning. Over the last 17 years we have sold all of Belleruth’s CDS to individual s and hospitals all over our coutnry… and have seen first hand thier powerful healing impact on all kinds of situations. Sometmes though her soothing voice makes peole wan to to throw the CD opalyer against the wall… myself included when I have been riled up about aomething.
I am a PSTD survivor of over 25 years… and if Belleruth Trauma Cd had been around 25 years ago my life course whould have been very different. As we find the Bless in the Mess, I can now say that the trauma I encountered has shaped my life and I have gone on to help numerous others with their challenges, stresses and traumas…. and to find Peace of Mind….
I applaud this NEW “shape” to Guided Imagery… and can only picture how the military, the prisoners, the police, the abused, and first responders will relate to this introduction….. it is a way to ease into the “woo’woo” and set the scene for tangible healing for the wounded warriors…
Thank you again for the years of amazing research and dedication to healping the most wounded hearts and souls!
This video made perfect sense to me, I will definitely change my approach to warriors, keeping in mind their culture and how they hear information. Thank you so much for this very helpful video.
Dear Ruth, this is great. Thanks for this wonderful insight into working with servicemen and women dealing with being in the front lines, be they soldiers, cops, firemen, medical professionals, etc. Martin Seligman has recently been contracted by the US army to deal more proactively with the realities faced by members or the armed forces. I request you share this work with him – it would make such a difference. Apparenly 40,000 drilll sargents are currently undergoing postivie psychology training! It’s no surprise that David found himself gravitating towards his calm, commanding superior! Regards, Barb Frey
I can see the point of this soldier and am thankful for the great story and it’s lessons.
Very impressed. Validates the idea of starting where you are.
Ma’am, thank you for your thoughtful representation of our story. As well George Patrin and Belleruth for not only hearing and listening but taking action. Your visuals along with the intro are very powerful. This is really all of our story as we can choose to learn valuable lessons from difficult situations. Less than 1% of Americans serve in our Armed Forces and a great many of public servants whom experience tramatic situations daily. These professionals can benefit by having availability to undersatanding mental helath professionals. I thank you and your staff on behalf of my family. Although the loss of my son Nicholas lead me to navigate these perilous waters it is comforting to know others may benefit from such a tragedy. I would also like to thank those who are leaving applicable feedback.
For my fellow Soldiers, Veterans & Retiree’s thank you for your service!!!
HOOAH
Sergeant Rauls, thank you for your service. And for your work with Belleruth on this project. Dave, you will influence many, many people because of this. I’m very committed to helping to get the word out.
Ruth
This is deeply moving; through tears of gratefulness I listened as Dave spoke so honestly and straight forwardly. As he talked, I heard the intensitiy in his voice gradually begin to decrease and reflect the changes that the guided imagery work has given him. Thank you. Thank you for creating this video, Ruth, and for sharing your work Belleruth.
Just to reiterate what Ruth has already said, the goal of this is to sell the ideas, not the products. That said, Noreen, the person to talk to about ordering the Self-Mastery CD with Dave’s intro on it, in quantity for military installations or VAMC’s, is Elizabeth Hauser: ehauser@healthjourneys.com. She can fill you in on the particulars.
In response to Gertrude’s and Sandy’s comments about the hideous insanity of war and the ugly human behavior it generates, I agree, but would respectfully suggest the obvious: that the therapist’s office is no place for these larger philosophical/ethical musings. Our clients are coming to us for help with their pain and are not interested in having a political conversation (unless they’re leading us on a merry chase of denial and distraction!); nor do they care what we think about this. (When I interviewed several vets about mistakes therapists had made with them in the past, several said “Please don’t share your politics with us! We don’t CARE!!)
Just a reminder that we need to take those thoughts to a different arena, not lay them at the feet of those who come to us for help with alleviating their suffering.
In response to Belleruth. I was invited to speak my mind on this comment board. Up till now, i always felt safe to do so. Even knowing my path through life has led to, what others see as, radical standpoints. This comment board is not the office of a therapist, my reaction was to the tape, and in no way intended as philosophical/ethical musings, which i found to be a hurtful, belittling projection, not worthy of a qualified therapist. Furthermore the argument would not hold any validity for me. When studying feminism at the university of Amsterdam, the first thing i learned was: The personal is politic. Politics does not end before the bedroom door. It enters everywhere, is seeded in the collective field of thinking, believing and viewing the world.
Why do soldiers find this tone of voice soothing should have been the question. In my opinion, most likely, because it works as a hypnotic command, soothing them, regressing them back to times when the drilling/mindbreaking methods were just fantasy, play. Its foul implications not yet visible for the entire world.
Here in the Netherlands the media is no more what it used to be. Often we are fed lies. Critical warjournalists still speak out, are still invited in television programms. But it is as if our collective field, is more influenced by our politics, who as was found out, are often held hostage by americans in power. This view that militaristic training/breaking peoples subconscious minds works, does not stay limited to the military. It is practiced in prisons, breaking adolescent people’s minds, and also used in f.i. Glen Mills homes. Here in the Netherlands many politicians voiced the belief that militaristic camps are the way to go, to correct young allochtones, who took the path of criminality and/or drugs. Meanwhile the damaging effects of Glen Mills homes have now also been researched. Sensitive young men, who underwent that kind of treatment, speaking out on how traumatising it was for them. Furthermore it did not do what was promised. There was no less recidivy.
NICABM has always been for me, how to transcend trauma, especially in young people, and people, like me, who suffer extreme prenatal and early childhood trauma’s. I know firsthand about being beaten into submission by a father, who was legitimised, by the whole family saying he had a temper. Ultimately resulting in him trying to murder me, when 12 years old, by attempting to throw me over the balcony on the 4th floor. My senior brother of just 1 1/2 years older, was just in time. He now says he had to wrestle his own father for it. My mind had already accepted death, and went totally blank after that.
Therapists should be held to a morally higher standard then nontherapists. They should ponder all the effects and consequences of treatmentmethods. They always should make a serious attempt to think about the real causes of a diseased mind and think about how to prevent that.
The military in the US found themselves that their mindbreaking methods, break the minds of the soldiers not only on the battlefield, which is good for obeying commands, but has dire consequences when the veterans come home. Often committing suicide, murdering wives, or going on a murderrampage on innocent people in regular cities/suburbs. They even adopted what was called the dutch approach on their mission in Afghanistan. The military here in the Netherlands also did their research, after many PTSD cases with veterans from Libanon. Soldiers coming home from a mission are first put in a sort of holidayresort in Greece, to get acclimized to civilian life. It was found that that way, for most of the, the amygdala returned to normal size and functioning, even when having suffered tremendous trauma. Only a few continued to suffer PTSD.
Even when against any army, militaristic intervention/prestrike, weapons etc. I still care and take this suffering very seriously. I recognize my own symptoms in the symptoms of veterans. The inability to sleep due to hypervigilance, the flash backs, ageregression etc. Maybe we dutch take accountability after warcrimes more seriously, after having lived through, or having been born just after, the second world war. Here is the International Court in the Hague prosecuting warcriminals.
Personally, having been married to an algerian refugee, whose country was devastated by first the french military and then the algerian, i lived this collective field of the effects of war daily. Know its effects intimately. My eyes have seen acts of war on tape, no human eyes should ever get to see. In an attempt to understand and gain knowledge/awareness about this male mindset, i have seen many documentaries and movies. Either on Discovery or on festivals. Among them the one Amnesty International organises yearly. To treat soldiers with PTSD, i believe all therapists should engage themselves in educating themselves that way.
It takes incredible strength and empowerment to come from that place of knowledge and still be able to act from empathy, human kindness, to these people that possibly have committed heinous acts, but are at the same time our fellowhumans, our brothers/sisters. Sons/daughters of fathers/mothers, husbands/wives and fathers/mothers to the next generation, of whom, one has sadly left us prematurely for reasons unknown to us, that can only be guessed about, but still need to be taking seriously. NICABM has taken a leading position in making therapists and the general public aware of the consequence of negative imprints/childabuse/childneglect. We know now, that damage to a very young brain, might not be reversible, but is at least an almost impossible task. As i know firsthand. Having to undergo therapy to heal, personally being my own therapist, for lack of ever finding one capable of treating me, it is extremely difficult to also heal the effects my trauma’s had on my 4 children, which i had, before anyone talked about PTSD, here in the Netherlands. The youngest being 25.
I find it sad that my comment led to no discussion at all. I cannot help to think about transposing this way of thinking to treatment of sexoffenders to children.
Having to collectivily deal with a young sexoffender who molested 87 children, the youngest 19 days, then putting pictures on the internet, while working in a nursery and babysitting, has forced me to engage myself in pondering this. I do not support hatred, believe it will not work longterm. But notice that in some cases i am having a hard time when dealing with actual reality. We already had to deal with Dutroux from Belgium. Then there is Andreas Breivik, who now explains to us, how he learned to totally dissociate from engaging in any human feelings, when murdering around 80 young people, who had come together for a conference of their political party. He learned it by playing this american invented videogame: Warcraft or something. With drones, where young men just handle a stick, as if playing a videogame, murdering any afghan civilian does not produce any anguish. As wikileaks showed here on dutch public television it even produced pleasure in us soldiers, murdering civilians, already down, already wounded. Therapy should not be a bandage in getting people to return to what they were before.
A patient, any patient also needs to be held accountable for the effects on others of his acts. I learned that US soldiers are even returned to the battlefield, while suffering from PTSD. Not once, but sometimes 5 times. I also became aware, that some of them, want to return. That is what therapists need to contemplate.
What is it they long for and find in the military, while lacking that in civilian life. I heard about the sense of cohesion, the loyalty to fellowsoldiers, the brotherhood, willing to risk ones life to save that of a fellow soldier. What is wrong with our society, that that sense is lacking? What can therapists contribute to help those qualities return into families, communities, society? I once met this young female soldier. She loved being one of the guys. My feeling was, she had to give up all of herself, all her feminine qualities to be one of the guys. She also had to learn hatred for the enemy, a total neglect for their humanness. In my eyes too high a price.
The militaristic attitude as pervaded all of life. It is everywhere in the collective. My grandson of 6, making all toys into guns/weapons, despite his upbringing.
Those of us who want society to be different, possibly want to enjoy the very qualities men are seeking in the military, cannot fights this collective attitude.
Here in the Netherlands, a so called democracy, most voting civilians were against any mission to Afghanistan. We were promised it would never be prolonged. We call that so called war against terrorism, an illegitimate war, that was against International Law. Visitors of a filmfestival organised by Amnesty International have no qualms about seeing Bush Junior as a warcriminal, who should be tried in the Hague, just like Charles Taylor.
Our politicians however walk like dogs on a leash, dictated by american politicians.
Would i personally find it acceptable, when spoken to, in the kind of voice on the tape? No i would not. Would i want to live in a society dictated by this kind of militaristic attitudes. No i would not. I clearly remember the ever present Guardia Civil in Spain. Or for that matter the terror installed in me, by the everpresent algerian military, standing ready with guns, while i was just in traffic, in a car, in a regular street, in a regular city.
I remember being confronted with our own Military Police, when active in a protestmarch.
I speak out. I speak out, because i personally know the impossible suffering of PTSD. The hereditary passing on to next generations. Because of that personal suffering i take responsiblity, i held myself accountable, to be empowered, to speak my mind, even when scared almost more then i can mindfully bear.
I want a different kind of society for my grandchildren. I know this society can not continue the way it has, climatewise. It is not just, that i want to live in a peaceful world, i know we have to learn to do so, will humanity survive at all.
The only way that is going to be possible, is when enough of the military, will see the truth of their ways, their training. And each man will relearn to kindle their inherent qualities of protecting women and children/families and society at large.
We are all connected, all interdependent. We all influence each other and cannot form a society without each other.
When a child has Diabetes I, it most likely still wants its sweets, sugar and deserts. As a parent, would i give it to them?
Would i feed an already obese child, more chips, more burgers? Or would i gently teach healthier methods of healing?
I work with Veterans who are being evaluated for and sometimes diagnosed with Psychogenic Seizures sometimes due to their military experiences and/or childhood abuse. I think this would be invaluable in their recovery. How do I purchase it? If I can ask our Dept of Neurology for financial support, can it be purchased in larger quantities at a discounted rate?
Thank you and God bless your goodness.
Noreen
It makes me wonder what kind of preparation is given to our soldiers as they prepare to return home. There is quite an effort made to turn them into soldiers. They would benefit from a debrief of some sort to allow letting that way of life shift into happy healthy home life. At minimum a discussion about the possibilities of symptoms of PTSD and what assistance is available should be given. Acknowledging and validating the feelings and providing an avenue for help, laying the groundwork for wellness, would go a long way.
Being a veteran myself, I understand the mentality, however, it didn’t speak to me then and it doesn’t speak to me now. I was in Vietnam and I wasn’t in combat and that makes a difference. This man speaks directly to the combat veterans and he’s right on. He speaks to some of the first responders that have the same mentality of how men are supposed to be, and may secretly not want to be that way. I am so glad you listened to him and allowed him the honor and privilege of helping you help veterans. Thank You Belleruth and Ruth!
It was very important to learn, that the visualization has to be realted to the person’s experiences..
Thanks you. I use very ofen guided imagery and this is very helful to be able to create the approprieted ones.
This is so appropriate, it is so important to start with the client where they are not where you are or want them to be. Each person needs to be heard first and with great skill helped to redirect their direction to a place where they can begin to live without the fear of alwaysing being in pain.
Thank you to both of you.
Hugs,
Linda Lou McQuinn
This certainly draws you in and keeps your attention. I would love to have a specific one for various traumas like for those who feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless, due to life long struggles of neglectful parenenting, & the experiences of physical, emotional and sexual abuses during childhood and adolescence. Meet us where we are at—still childlike and growing up wanting to leave that home and searching within to be free from those triggers –fly on our own–safely, securely. we are in the process of finding ourselves. looking at our bodies and saying this belongs to me. looking in the mirror and saying this is me who I am. And then there is meeting who you are – this new personality. How will you react to this new person and accepting this new person and allowing it to express itself without shame & without guilt. Thank you Ruth. We do use your videos for our members.
i could not get this to work continuously.
Great job! First rule followed, meet the client where they are, and know the culture they are coming from. I think it is powerful that we as professionals continue to hone our skills and tools… be the example for our clients as well…. doing what we ask them to do too….. change!
Hi Sandy,
Thanks so much for your comment. It is scary to speak one’s mind in a critical way, when all applaud and react positively. If not I, if not you, then who? You are welcome to get in touch with me. My emailaddress is gertrudevanvoorden@live.nl. After placing my comment, according to the law of synchronicity i came upon three documentaries of 2 dutch sisters, on the mindsets of soldiers/veterans in the Congo, about raping women. It affirmed me in the necessity of speaking out, and stepping up as women. Read what is said on http://www.weaponofwar.nl. It is in english.
Thanks Ruth for this very powerful and insightful case involving “the loss of a loved one”. For me there were fascinating correspondences with my own life. I lost my father through war, when I was 10, and 30 years later, my young wife by suicide. Both had everything to live for but were overwhelmed by archetypical events for which neither was properly prepared. Now, 40 years on, I recognize how I was enabled to heal the lives of both my son and myself, and later the lives of many others. Here, in the “loss of a loved one, or a loved situation”, oftentimes – or so I have observed – lie the roots of most everything that ails the human condition? The drama or saga, for so it is, inevitably unfolds in a kind of 3 (or at most 5) acts cinematic way – no more are needed … Thanks again and best wishes for the next instyallment!
All so true, heartbreaking story, the bluntness went deep. Fantastic to hear realism connecting with ‘touchy feely’.
Would like to hear similar in a British voice to see how it comes across.
Also to get feedback from uk soldiers.
Glad I listened, will share – Thank you.
What a wonderful ‘doc. type clip. You have to enter the world of the person to really reach what is there and ‘uproot’ the problem.
well done on this clip and THANK you for sharing it with all of us.
Yota
I really enjoyed watching this …I found it insightful, amusing and very appropriate …Well done !!
This is just what I needed for the “next step”. I did not know how to introduce MBSR with Guided Imagery to fishermen who lost sons and survived capsized fishing boats in rough Alaskan waters; villagers who watched their children and parents wash out to sea in the big Alaskan earthquake tidal wave; the lost culture that came through the horror and depression of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the hurt invisible men and women who returned from the nightmare of war to a secluded small community that did not want to hear about their pain. This ‘tough man’ introduction may be a tool to open the door to Guided Imagery and healing
for individuals who are independent, tough and wounded . Thank you
That was wonderful. Nothing like someone who has been through the experience and knows, from the inside, to help others to take a chance and get involved.
Ruth, You are doing so much good for so many therapists by sharing all this invaluable information, insights and techniques.
Thank you, again.
Very nice work The progression from activation (a high beta state) to alpha (relaxation) is audible in the pitch and speed of the narrator’s diction. I am wondering if a ramp down of entrainment frequencies themselves could be used to facilitate the client’s shift and avoid his inner conflict with verbalizations. Or could the two be combined effectively to enhance the change process?
Really intriguing. I loved the collaboration, having worked with soldiers/sailors/marines both in my office & on bases. I would love to hear more of their reactions to the intro and subsequent CD. Nice work!!
Bless you Dave, for your courage and wisdom to share your story in a way that so many will benefit – and Bellaruth for being open to use this unique approach. Thank you too Ruth for sharing this with us. So many people will be supported on their healing journeys through this creative and non-traditional approach to introducing guided imagery.
Very powerful how Dave meets other soldiers where they are to motivate them to stretch themselves to really try the guided imagery. I can imagine his helping others aided his healing from his own tragic loss as well.
I myself used the company of Mrs. Naparstek as Oncology Staff Nurse. Many nurses used the same company for their R&R. After years of clinical work -I myself had honor to survive life threatening illness.Ruth’s courage to follow her dream had and has impact on many .
Ruth’s CDs were my companions before and after every bone marrow aspiration. The interview here moved me deeply and I feel for the healing population that comes home.
Our support through creative and compassionate space that we create in clinics,hospitals and communities is a great start. Moreover though ,the specific ,comprehensively tailored words and” ice breakers” will make grand difference . When helping professions explore the newest approaches ,stay tuned to cutting
edge modalities and “work shoulder to shoulder” with other professions the chances of healing is greater. Recently,I attended lectures from Holistic Nurses Organization that expressed wake up call to nurses across the “board” to refer,educate and participate.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2862317/
I am here and I am participating.Thank you for such amazing education access opportunity.
Facinating, if a soldier can bring himself to accept guided imagary enough to write a prologue for this approach.
LOVED it!! I am a psychologist for a VA Medical Center and would be honored to introduce this work/tape to my Vets. What a beautful lesson on being able to hear consructive feedback and implementing a change. The intro is just perfect. Thank you for taking the time to care for our nation’s hero and meet them where they are. What a gift!!
This was absolutely compelling. I hope this approach encourages opportunities with other groups, i.e. students, teenagers.
This is stunning! What is being talked about here is attunement! It is when we are attuned to where our clients are at, that we truly there with them and they feel met and understood and inevitably more open to what comes next. Without this we are speaking not only from separate ‘cultural perspectives’ but from different time zones, different planets and in different languages which leaves trauma clients with far too many layers and levels to negotiate in their traumatised states.
Enlightening! Invaluable personal education for my future practice as a therapist. Thank you!
I loved this – made me cry because I have a best friend who went through this. Dave’s approach is brilliant. I wish my friend would have had this to suuport him through. It shows how as a therapist we have to step way out of the box sometimes to help the special groups of people. To hold out a hand to meet them in a different way and help them through. Thank you for reminding us.
The multifactorial aproach results are remarcable create a environment were we can receive help!!!
Our world is One, but we are so many interpretacionsof the One, that the One want to hear about!
This opener to access the PTSD stored in the subconscious mind would be a good introduction to anyone suffering this type of trauma. About 20 years ago Gary Craig created a treatment from part of a therapy by a man called Dr. Carrington which he called EFT (meridian tapping). To test his idea he asked if he could try it on some Viet Nam vets who had been in hospital for 15+years undergoing psychiatric treatment he cured 86% of them in 24hrs. With the advance of techniques such as applied Kinesiology most body/mind (subconscious mind) problems can be healed within a very short space of time. The DVD is excellent Thank You.
Wow! This is incredible! It makes complete sense! I will now take this example and be much more conscious of where even minor adjustments might need to be made in how I speak to something with a client so that they can better hear it. Such a valuable video! Thank you and Bellaruth so much!
I completely understand where this soldier is going through. I have had A LOT of DOCTORS yell at me, tell me they were fed up with me, and try to force me to take medicine which WAS NOT going to solve my PTSD; they didn’t want to hear WHAT was going on or know why I was depressed. They just wanted me to take medication, and be done with me. That is no way to treat a person. I tried to tell them about meditation, and other approaches used to help heal grief, PTSD, depression but they were close minded.
WOW!! I have experienced trauma and though I have never been in the military, I can really understand how powerful this introductory approach would be. It is so hard to explain the feeling of trauma and not excuse it away, but this soldier does it. Very well. Thank you and him for sharing this.
thank you for sharing that- I found the retired soldier’s pace and language disturbed me more than I expected. I can imagine that his fellow soldiers would pay attention to that language and rate of delivery.
Strong argument for tailoring a tool to the needs of the recipient which calls for active imagination.
I agree 100% with what the soldier is saying. Not only the soldier mindset, but even a different culture where each individual’s role expectations are different from what they are here in america, one has to take a different stance while introducing the imagery tapes. I have seen these differences by living in three different cultures, Indian, Afghanistan and US, and I know how different they are.
It sometimes takes a crisis for some people to step into the boat.
“Touchy-feely” still jangles me when people talk about how to relax and how to grab for change after life’s disasters. I’m a Vietnam era veteran who was lucky enough to avoid direct hostile fire, but I carry memories of those I knew who fought, died, or were maimed in various ways. This soldier’s introduction is straight-talking. It’s on target for those who have been changed by military service. He’s lived it. Suicide is not an option — especially now that NICABM and the New Brain Science research is pushing it into our face that our lives can either help others or can hurt them into pain. Our presence and our mind depend on relationships. Life is not a solo affair. Thanks for all of the NICABM offerings and events. You have created a community where healing is possible on many levels.
The approach totally makes sense. I also think it would make sense to adjust the actual approach to guided imagery to be more palatable to veterans, calibrating the tone of voice to minimize the chance that veterans would be initially overwhelmed by a flood of feeling. I do a lot of mindfulness work with the clients I see who work in a high tech environment and purposely modulate my voice in a matter of fact tone so that the exercises I teach do not feel foreign and respect my client’s entry point into treatment. This is a basic form of mirroring that helps establish a connection and build trust.
In NLP courses, the importance of rapport and matching is driven into students as being promordial to successfull therapy. Cognitive therapy deals only with the cognitive part of the experience. In the subconscient mind there is visual, audio, smell, sensations part of the experience. So you can talk until the cows come home, not much happens in recovery. I use Eye mouvement Integration therapy, hypnosis (insight therapy, 5 Path) and EFT. Clients say that they accomphised more in one session then years of talk therapy. there is a video (actually 2) about EFT for PTSD and how it helps the soldiers recover faster.
This was excellent. I was intrigued and engaged about the possibilities of how mindfulness and guided imagery can be presented in a larger context.
Whew! That was tuff but ut really got through. Anybody’d listen to what was said after that intro. I wished I heard the doctor’s talk /CD.
Thank You, it was very good and extremely inspiring. It helps bring people through very big issues,
YES of course it must be done like that with whatever client we have in front of us….why?….because ALL therapy is
building a bridge fom one place to another and sometimes it´s quite a distance from one “place” to the other.
It´s all energy and coming from one frequency to another the therapist needs to first affirm the frequency the client is
coming from….to be heard is crucial here to be able to Take IN another energy/standpoint.
Blessings
Regina
I work with a lot of first responders, many of whom have a military background. This would definitely reach some of them where they live. Congratulations on a brilliant collaboration — and of making the loss of a child the impetus to a gift to one’s fellow survivors. Well done.
The video would not run. All I saw was “Bridging the Gap to the warrior mindset the story of Dave” It would not play further.
That really spoke to me. I can fully grasp the fact that one has to start from where your client is at.
As I listen to this intense, fast talking man give an introduction to this exercise, I am smiling and appreciating all that went into this incredible gift. To nicabm, thank you for making this video and sharing it. Such important work to share. And to this man, thank you for your service and for “sucking it up” so you could help yourself and others!
Great introduction for soldiers and other hard core individuals!
Ruth, Thanks for sending this and starting this conversation. I believe it’s one of the most important ones I’ve seen yet in all the materials I’ve seen from NICABM.
I’ve read through all the responses so far, and the one that resonated with me the most was that of Gertrude from the Netherlands (I would greatly appreciate it if you could put me in touch with her – you have my permission to give her my email address, and I can be easily found on Facebook). I found myself in total agreement with each of her very insightful points about war and the horrific consequences to the human psyche of all who participate in it, and those who do NOT choose or want to participate in it, but have if forced on them. In particular the cost to women and children of policies they’re at the effect of that are created by a class of humans who believe that violence is the solution to most human problems. Interesting that so far there hasn’t been any acknowledgement of the points she so courageously raised.
I was drafted at the height of the Tet Offensive in 1968. After two weeks in the U.S. Army I concluded I was inside the World’s largest insane asylum. Nothing that I’ve observed about the U.S. military since then has modified my belief that our military culture excels at nothing so much as the creation of huge numbers of damaged souls. We pour so much of our resources – literally Trillions – into war and destruction, and are then ‘surprised’ when Vets have the kinds of life-problems they have. I continue to be astonished that, given the way Vets are treated AFTER they’ve been used (assuming they survive physically) that the military can find enough naive souls to enlist. But then, we don’t really educate our populace for critical thinking. If we did, and made sure they got the skills to look at all sides of a story, they might not be so easily gulled into thinking that our next war is quite so ‘necessary and unavoidable.’
(If you think I’m exaggerating, I suggest you find and read: “The Wages of War: When America’s Soldiers Came Home – from Valley Forge to Vietnam,” by Richard Severo & Lewis Milford)
As a society we’ve adapted to war far too much. A military mentality has invaded and shaped our world-view to a disturbing degree. And as one who has worked in counseling realms that deal with the consequences of violence, I’m dismayed at how much the field of psychology is being seduced to some extent into the military mindset. If we’re not careful we’ll end up with the same short-sighted, tunnel vision of the prison-guard unions around the country. When they fight to support the building of more prisons so that their jobs are secure, they fail to realize they’re dooming their grandkid’s generation to lives with fewer resources, and ensuring that more those kids will be occupying a prison cell because they got the message that their country cared more about war than it did about them.
Yes, of course we need to come up with effective treatments for Vets who come home so damaged by not only their specific combat experience, but from being turned into such hard-asses in the first place.
But why is it so difficult to recognize that the best possible treatment for PTSD is always its PREVENTION? That we shouldn’t send people off to needless wars to endure, and inflict upon others, the kinds of suffering our invasions and occupations have caused?
We’ve probably all heard this story:
‘A person standing near a river hears a call for help and sees someone drowning. He jumps in and pulls the struggling swimmer out of the water and resuscitates him. As he finishes resuscitating the first swimmer, a second cries out. Again, he enters the water and with great effort hauls the second drowning person ashore. A third person calls out for help and he jumps to the rescue and nearly drowns in the effort, but manages to pull the third person out of the river. An admiring crowd has gathered when a fourth person calls for help and our hero walks away. Someone in the crowd shouts, “Where are you going? What about this person who is drowning?” He turns and says, “I’m tired of rescuing people from the river. I’m going upstream to find out who’s pushing them in.”‘
Let’s help all the Vets we can – they deserve it – but let’s not get so ‘embedded’ with the military that we don’t tackle the larger problem at it’s source…the rapidly-expanding militarization of our country and the world. It’s bleeding us to death morally as well as financially…
Fascinating video. The talent for retaining patients is surely empathy and treating individuals individually. I have treat veterans and police officers and they’re all different; however, this helps understand the culture from which these guys and gals come.
Excellent…. makes you stop, think, listen, for without the clients attention… you both lose out on the opportunity for healing.
Moving video!!
Thanks for another tool!
Profound. The wisdom that Dave can reach the “military mind”, rings true. I am sure that the emotional pain that Dave and George shared and the collaboration that followed, will help many.
I have loved Belleruth from the first time I picked up one of her books. But I have to say this video helped me to understand the torment my own father must have gone through after coming back from WWII. He was so hard and so cold to everyone in the family. It was as if softness was something he couldn’t tolerate. I know my mom suffered as a consequence of this, but so did his three daughters. I always said “thank goodness he had no son.” (Although I am sure I didn’t understand the implications back then.) I will share the email that got me to this link with the people who suggested that I should work with women coming back from the war. They said that my knowledge base would /could work for them. I know I am a lot more gentle than this video and I wondered if I’d have the strength to stay tough for the women my friends were talking about. This video healed something inside because it gave me what I couldn’t ever comprehend as a child and daughter of someone who was still, in his mind, untii the day he died, a soldier. Thank you. Perhaps now I too can help.
Thank you for putting this together. This is really fascinating.
Excellent information and presentation. Loved the intro for soldiers/emergency responders.
How can I purchase the CD with the special intro?
Hi Melody, as I said to Bill above. I think it could be very effective with EMTs, Firefighters and Police Officers. The CD or MP3 are available at Health Journeys – here is a link to that specific one. http://www.healthjourneys.com/Product_Detail.aspx?id=594&mcid=&catid=
But just so you know, neither Belleruth nor I put this video interview together in an attempt to get you to buy this. We are on a mission here to get these ideas out to everyone.
Ruth
Absolutely fabulous. Milton Erickson would be proud!
Holy Cow.
I agree totally. I have found that with very Cerebral types of people like University Profs and the very macho construction labourers an explanation of what guided imagery and a dialogue have been crucial. Listening to Dave was fascinating – I’m going to parse his intro with my colleagues – it makes a great example of word-smithing! Thank you Ruth for what you do! You lead me into my creative space within!
Lesson 101, the teacher must start from where the student is.
When I came back from Vietnam, my family wondered who I was. I read a book by Herbert Benson about the relaxation response. This was a new world for me. I did not know I could relax anytime, and anyplace, it was my decision. I liked it that it was not new-age touchy feely, but based on MD medical science and research. The medics worked miracles in Vietnam, and this was a place I could start.
Phenomenal. So it is not the guided imagery itself that is adjusted to the
tough, traumatized patient, but rather the therapist’s introduction of the experience.
As those of us who practice EFT know, the worst, the negative, must first be
expressed and accepted. Only after that can we effectively shift to remedial, or ‘corrective’
goals and statements.
No wonder it works here.
One must always, for therapy to be effective, begin at the beginning, and clients usually
come to see a therapist specifically because they are not in a good place emotionally
and/or psychologically.
So there is nothing really ‘new’ here, but this is an awesomely creative approach to engage
certain clients.
Hats off to this soldier, and to Belleruth for hearing him.
I alternated between tears and laughter hearing this. Dave succeeded in touching a very deep place within, and I can believe this introduction could forge through emotional callouses when other attempts have failed. It’s so very ‘real’. I can see why in and of itself the soldiers at Fort Sill found it therapeutic. While there is no honor in taking one’s own life, but there is much room to respect what survivors have learned from their horrific experiences and tragedies. Hats off to Dave as well as to Bellaruth for her open and honest response to the need.
What a powerful and engaging introduction. I’ve worked in the profession for some years now, and early on realized from my own training, that having a wellmeaning, sooth-talking therapist sit infront of me when I was all worked up, only added to my feelings of anger at not being fully understood.
Today, when I work, my first and foremost concern during the first session is to connect with my clients via their body language and spoken language, i.e. if someone uses swear words, I’ll do the same etc. This video only confirms my intuition. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been using Belleruth’s wonderful guided imagery CDs with patients for many years. And it’s true. For some, the gentle tones and soothing music does create irritability severe enough to stop them from enjoying and benefiting from this powerful modality. Straight from a soldier’s heart, this video provides a wonderful bridge from the world of pain and distancing to the more gentle world of recovery and healing. Thanks Ruth,
Harry
I can imagine SGT Dave captures the attention of soldiers and veterans from the very beginning. Most would be finding ways to sleep through any presentation about managing trauma. His directives lend authenticity to this topic. His life experiences express the need to pay attention. He correctly reflects the culture that is too tough to hurt.
I would like to use this in treating EMTs and Firefighters with their trauma and stress. Is there a way to get his introduction for this purpose?
William B. Carr, D. Min., LMFT
770-534-1672
Hi Bill, I think it could be very effective with EMTs, Firefighters and Police Officers. The CD or MP3 are available at Health Journeys – here is a link to that specific one. http://www.healthjourneys.com/Product_Detail.aspx?id=594&mcid=&catid=
But just so you know, neither Belleruth nor I put this video interview together in an attempt to get you to buy this. We are on a mission here to get these ideas out to everyone.
Ruth
Thanks Ruth. I think it would be important to make this info (with your proviso) readily available.
Awesome….this is what meeting a client where “they are” is all about….I have used Bellaruth’s material for several years and this is certainly a great addition!
Thanks to everyone for all the support and encouragement. Like anything, this one approach isn’t for everyone, but we’re finding it’s effective for a lot of service people, veterans, first responders and older adolescent boys.
We did a pilot study with returning Soldiers at Fort Sill, where they had a choice of listening to one or two of several audio tracks from the Self Mastery CD for 20 minutes/day for eight weeks. They all started with Dave’s intro first.
What we learned was they would listen to the imagery tracks for stress or sleep when they were feeling edgy or had trouble falling asleep; but when they were feeling angry, they liked re-playing Dave’s intro. It made them feel “normal” and it gave them a laugh or two, too. That was a surprise to us. We thought they’d listen to it once or twice as an intro. Turned out it was something of an intervention, in and of itself.
We all keep learning, don’t we?
BR
So how do therapists get hold of this material?
Bingo! Perhaps the powerful introduction speaks to a habit that our soldiers have acquired over time with repetition and certainly intensity. The mind, body and brain begin to feel comfortable and safe again when the set-up is familiar. The idea of guided imagery then finds a smooth running entry point for impact and acceptance! Great work!
Wow, very powerful and straight to the point! The majority of my clients are law enforcement and fire service personnel and their families so this approach is one that speaks directly to the “cultural” dynamics that are so much a part of my clinical work. I smiled and chuckled all the way through Dave’s introduction because it is so honest and forthright, just like the cops and firefighters I work with on a daily basis. I have used and recommended Belleruth’s Guided Imagery for years and know that this powerful resource is one more for the toolkit, rucksack or gearbag that works! Kudos to both Ruth and Belleruth for this resource, thank you!
As a former combat vet myself, I found it much easier to relate to than other softer methods that are often used by therapists. It takes time for a combat vet to become accustomed to those softer methods, which are usually very effective, but it takes a desire to do so, accompanied by a gradual mindset change in order to be able to accept them. Thank you and may you be blessed for your concern.
Ruth, great stuff. Absolutely great stuff. Reminds me of Dr Ed Tick: we need to honor the warrior, give them respect, come to them where they are at. We want to heal the boy to heal the man, but we need to give the man the respect he deserves and needs, unconditional respect and honor as a warrior. Otherwise he cannot hear us. What he will hear is an echo of the past, a nagging mother, an abusive parent, a neglectful father. It is so hard to figure this stuff out for counsellors and worse for the person who has experienced trauma. But, I suspect the mistake I made is as simple to correct as this soldier, Dave, figured out: start where the person is at and give them the fundamental need of respect of persons no matter what their story.
RIGHT ON!! That has needed to be said for way too long. Relaxation and guided imagery doesn’t mean that we assume a false voice and come off sounding like an elementary school teacher with her (or his) class. I believe that attunement requires authenticity and legitimate caring and not affected prosody. Calmness is for some trauma sufferers an acquired taste that is many times preceded by an attitude that it is a challenge presented to them by those who “don’t get it.” Thanks for making this video available.
Excellent!!!! It’s a very touching story. I congratulate all of you who cares for the health of all humanity. The story of
the soldier made my heart shrink and tears came down from my eyes. Also what Ruth explained about the boy who killed
himself. All these information and theme can be of great help to everyone, as to make them realize how important it is
to take care of our health especially the brain. I love children a lot and am a defender/protector as well the aged in my
spare time and voluntarily. Thank you so much for the video. God reward you with blessings and good health.
Hugs, Celiannie
Dave and I have come a ways together since we lost our sons. In retirement, it’s gratifying to know we can put our grief and turmoil to a good cause, and enable these wonderful tools to be introduced to more needy people, especially our battle buddies. Thanks to Belleruth for hearing us out and giving Dave a chance to put his thoughts on paper and into action. He’s the epitome’ of a “Crusty 1st SGT,” and I mean that in the most respectful way. As an officer, Dave is the right-hand-man I’d want on the next deployment, especially with the new-found sensitivity he’s discovered through adversity. This intro is sure to bring a smile to the troop’s face as they think, “Hey, this ‘Guided Imagery’ may be OK, if SGT Rauls uses it…cuz’ he’s one of us!” He works us from the fast-paced combat zone, to march in cadence, to parade rest nicely, ending with a soothing tone and calm demeanor at the end that made me feel I was ready for the dulcet tones of Belleruth. Nice job, Team. Now to get it into the hands of DoD clinicians as well as civilian therapists in Communities all across this Nation caring for returning Reservists and National Guardsmen.
COL-Ret George Patrin, MD
Col Patrin, thanks so much for reaching out to Dave and also for getting him to call Belleruth. And I agree with you – we’ve got to get this CD and Dave’s story in the hands of as many service members and veterans as possible. Also in the hands of practitioners who are treating them as well.
George, thank you for all that you’ve done.
Ruth
Loved it! I’m not a soldier or policewoman or anything like that nor am I a practitioner of any kind. I have though somehow learned the old suck it up mentality and am struggling to undo it. I too find “soothing” voices and especially new age music extremely irritating. Much prefer an emphatic pep talk like this – except for the marching stuff which I can’t relate to. Part of my problem is that I belong to a spiritual progam that used to be very “external discipline” focused. The organizatiion has llightened up but many of the longer serving members such as myself have not. Maybe a cd with an invigorating pep-talk style intro for civilians might be in order!
This was beyond great, fantastic, and real, I loved it, and all my heart was in it as was my mind, my soul rejoyced in the bottom line…all together wonderful…Thanks for being in the right time at the right place…
Mary…
WOW!
I was so much surprised at first, but then I could imagine a soldier listening to this and, it was like walking where you knew the path, and that made me
think it tuned up a mind so you could open to somenthing new, something else.
Thank you, a great and enlighting experience.
Fantastic, input, thankyou so much… as suidice becomes an even bigger problem around the globe, I see this being a good tool, to help get some to relate to their own reality… and it to can be improvised to reach other sectors of people and the individual… as mentioned below, rapport with therapist for trust and understanding, is so important… the true healing comes from the core of the individual, when what needs to be triggered, for the wake up to occur, a painful time, of honest communication with self, and responsibilty for ones own very existence in life… love yoru work and thanks as always for sharing, to make our world a better place,,
As a veteran of WWII I can relate to this introduction and can readily see how hardened veterans would relate to it as well. I wonder how Belleruth makes the
transition from that to where she needs to go to get to guided imagery. Maybe takes them through a tunnel or across a bridge? In the early part of my career I worked with veterans and would have found this very useful, indeed. A great example of meeting the patient/client where s/he is.
This is SO great – It is so important to feel that the person who is your therapist has some way to connect with your pain. A social worker/therapist who has been raised in a normal middle-class household has NO way of understanding or connecting with the reality in your pain and the difference is felt and resentment is the result. I’m speaking from experience.
But now and then, if there is true heart shown on the therapist’s part, a connection may be made.
Thank you very muche, Dave, for your sincere sharing of your feelings. Thank you Belleruth for taking the possibility to give him voice and to let his Idea be possible. Thank You Ruth, as always for bringing us always new prospectives for our work…this time the possibilioty to reach the patient where he really is, using his Copdex, his pace, his language…stunning!
This is a really amazing video. As a mindfulness teacher, it’s such a stark reminder to me how different people’s backgrounds and preferences are when coming into space like this that can be so vulnerable. Meeting people where they are, in their space and on their terms is true skillful means. This video really helped show me how far from skillful I can be at times!
Thank you for putting this together and making it available.
What a wonderful, powerful tool. Ruth you are making a true difference. Speaking the language of the client (soldier) is spot on. When coming from a place of service and being heart centered “awareness” is just a first small step. Military culture stands apart and your integrating shows true craftsmanship. This is truly worth the share..Thank you.
Having spent two years in the Army, ten months of which were spent in combat in Korea, I found the “sergeant’s” introduction an excellent bridge into the “guided imagery.”
So moving in an unexpected way. It makes so much sense to approach these warriors in their language.
THANK YOU! Excellent! I have worked post-trauma interventions and with veterans for many years at both VA hospital and college settings and appreciate the direct approach that veterans respond best to.
Brilliant! Very moving and to be as the client is. In other words, join the world of the client and you have abetter understanding
of how to help them. Very moved by this video, and I believe there are so many others who need this kind of help. As a trainer i will be incorporating this technique ito my students.
This was a very impressive presentation. The story of how it came about was great,as was every aspect of the presentation. The soldier and the therapist complemented each other and helped themselves and many others. Thank you.
I’ve waited a long time for this honest perspective to meditation or affirmations. So many of my anxious/depressed/traumatized clients have spoken of wanting a way to move through their internal chaos before they can sit with the stillness, or believe they are worth or deserving of words of affirmation. This CD will be a great addition to my library. Thanks!
This is a great example of attunement to the brain state wounded warriors come to us with, and a powerful illustration of the importance of meeting clients where they are. I agree with one thing Gertrude, from the Netherlands, says. Working with military and ex-miitary personnel is much like working with brainwashed ex-cult members. The training is deeply embedded and only incrementally reversed. To make a giant leap – from the hyper-vigilant, emotionally shut-down, depersonalized state most soldiers must adopt for survival – to the relaxed, open, emotionally aware state we aim for is much to great a distance to span. Each client we work with must make this journey from where they are, at their own pace, and to their own destination. Too many of us therapists are guilty of attempting to impose our own agenda on clients. I am impressed by this example of sensitivity to these issues in materials created for wounded warriors. Thank you!
Excellent. In my opinion cultural awareness and meeting the person where they are is the first priority. This change in guided imagery (for some populations)demonstrates that awareness and increases the chances a client will stay and receive the help needed. I am waiting for “Coming Soon”!
Great video. I hope I can watch it again with others.
Thanks for making your work available to so many of us.
Harriet
Dave’s willingness to tell his story and give an intimate part of himself has been more inspirational and given me more insight than anything I have ever read on Therapist Empathy or Cross-cultural Practices. You can hear his emotional journey in his voice – the authenticity. Thank you, Dave.
even despite the intro i was initially shocked to hear and realise what it was that these men needed to hear to feel ‘at home’/comfortable/’met’, then as i continued to listen i became more and more moved .. i am very grateful to you ruth and belleruth for making this available.
I am humbled and thankful for this work that you have put together. It would have NEVER occurred to me to approach healing in this way, but I am ordering a copy of the disc so I have it in my repertoire. In so many ways, I desire to ‘match’ where my client is, but in this I see ways that I have been oblivious about doing that. I have done a considerable amount of work with complex trauma disorders, successful in many of those cases. I am gratified in watching healing occur, and in the way that these brave people can have the experience of living their own lives once again. Yet, even with those successes, I see others that I have not reached who still remain in pain. I am appreciative that there might be another way to help them. Thank you. Margaret
Very touching. I am wondering how many veterans have listened to this video and agree with the approach. Thanks for sharin
Awesome! I’ve been recovering from PTSD in recent years from childhood abuse. Dave’s intro left me laughing out loud with his direct, blunt, tell it like it is approach. He is so right. I’ve found it impossible to listen to traditional,gentle, guided imagery – but I may just give it another shot…. Way to go Dave…
Only a few days ago i saw this video about how the military has discovered that the militaristic type of indoctirination/brainwashing is harmful to the soldiers brains.
They are experimenting with new ways of teaching soldiers how and when to kill, without installing the hatred they used to in the past.
Apparently from that kind of indoctrination soldiers cannot seem to stop killing, even when they got home. I suppose suicide is just another way of killing someone.
Thus i agree one should be empathic with the experiences and the culture a patient comes from, yet find the approach, especially in the beginning hurtful and more of the same. This is an adult man, who chose to become a soldier. Too many children and women get hurt and raped in these worldwide armed conflicts and as a grandmother/woman of 61 i find those men have no excuse to continue doing what most of humanity do not want them to be doing.
Also the other day i listened to a lecture about psychopaths. I was made aware that especially i the topsegments of society 1 in 4 is most likely a psychopaths. They are the ones ruling us, controlling us, pushing us into a collective experience most of us do not want. Others are becoming millionaires of playing that game/field. I do feel for the kid. Wondering whether it was his militaristic upbringing that made him overstep that edge and commit the act of suicide.
Hearing again and again in documentaries of Jim Morrison of the Doors, how extremely painful such an uprbringing was.
How pitiful that this man, who has chosen to defend his country, could not make a committed choice earlier to defend the sanity of his family.
I can identify with the resistance of for me the sometimes soft approach of Mindfulness practitioners, who have been longtime buddhist/meditation practitioners. I know from experience how they sometimes totally negate the severity of PTSD, lacking personal experience combined with empathy.
How to detoxify brains that are brainwashed can possibly best be found in therapists working with excult members.
For that detoxification is necessary to take the next step towards a healthier society i have no doubt about. Here in the Netherlands veterans often start working for the police. The last few years, accidents caused by these people, are rising and i cannot but wonder whether that is because of their militaristic mindset.
We women should not aid to legitimising such a male attitude, but should rise to the challenge to become rolemodels of a more functional society. As a grandmother and a survivor of prenatal and early childhood trauma, i know how extremely difficult it is to defend ones children/grandchildren in stead of thinking how oneself can be taken care of, where there is such longing. Each of us creates her personal experiences from personal awareness, often projecting ones story into those we relate to/meet. Staying in the trenches of ones pain, instead of striking out to add more to the hurt of those we most likely already hurted enough, is impossible. Only Mindfulness has taught me how to stand this Impossible. With time it passes. Knowing from Jeffrey Schwartz, i believe, i am never my trauma, never my symptoms, also helped.
What can be done to heal all the devastation the US armies caused for decades in most parts of the world? In the minds of whole generations of the young/children.
Even in the Netherlands we have to deal with knowing now, that we have been lied to. The US did have cruisemissiles in place in the Netherlands for decades. even when our government kept telling us, it was not so.
I was raised in believing men were the protectors of women and children, family and country. I have come to learn often men are just very dangerous.
Where babies get raped in nurseries, 6 year old girls get raped in the public domain, women need to step up in protecting themselves, the children and humanity at large. Veterans need healing and become functional. Here in the Netherlands it was recently discovered that for most of them, their amygdala’s go back to the way they functioned previously to their missions. They are debriefing them now in Greece/Crete in a tranquil environment, before setting them free in a civilian environment/their personal families. For only a few, this approach does not work and they keep having PTSD symptoms.
Sending a veteran with PTSD on another mission, sometimes even 4 or 5, as i heard recently of an US soldier, murdering several Afghans, should just be seen and dealt with as a criminal act, and be tried at the international court in the Hague.
This was so refreshing and right to the point! Talk their talk and they will listen!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing. I am on the faculty of the TRAUMA and RESILIENCE STUDIES PROGRAMS (TRS) at ACAP Academy of Clinical & Applied Psychoanalysis located in Livingston. Those of you working with trauma in and around NJ, come and join us this summer. http://www.acapnj.org
A Conference |Sunday July 29 through
Tuesday July 31, 2012
TRAUMA and RESILIENCE Healing the Inner Animal …techniques for working with victims and the vulnerable Presented by ACAP at Caldwell College, Caldwell, NJ 07006 ACAP is approved as a CEU provider by many professional associations.
This was so powerful and so helpful. I loved Dave’s opening to the tape/CD and felt he was talking the soldier’s language. I was especially interested because I am planning on working with veterans, helping them to make peace with their lives, and this gave me some ideas about how to start my speech. Thank you. Blessings to you for your work. cj
This is a fascinating video and it confirms that the best way to help our clients is to meet them where they are at the moment and to make them aware that they have a choice and that they can reach their goals in their own pace Thank you so much for sharing this video!
Had me in tears – and I use Belleruth’s tapes for myself everyday and almost all my patients use her work – but this one – stunning. Perhaps these kids of introductions need to be done in other areas like with young teens or the young men in their 20′s who are “smoking” themselves to death.
Blessings – time to get another kleenex
To have the words and the tone of the person who has suffered, and hearing the “inside” game of their experience is the difference that makes the difference with this video.
Many professionals, leaders , followers , teachers, consultants, guides , coaches today are working with themselves and other people who are experiencing fear , confusion and scare in their daily lives. No, not the trauma of war, and yes a trauma of having to stand up and be counted for in their lives of work ( knowing the job may not be for them, or the job may be taken from them) .
Permission to feel pain , emotions and the impact of the things so many are asked to do is the beginning of being able to author ones own agenda.
thanks for sharing this . I use guided imagery and now I am going to work harder to “meet my listeners where they are – at their bus stop”
Thank you! As an Vietnam Vet I appreciate the approach. It speaks to me and I can see the effectiveness of such a message. It is important for the services to recognize what happens in combat conditions and provide appropriate treatment. Thank you for your continued work Belleruth in helping vets and others with your guided imagery tapes.
Thank you both, Belleruth and Ruth for your efforts in creating this video. The message is so inspiring – real love means recognizing the instinctive brain style of our client and ‘going to meet them there’.
Profoundly inspiring,
Nancy Forrester
Psychotherapist, Personal & Professional Mentor
Certified Emotional Freedom Techniques Trainer
I love the ‘meeting the client where they are at’ aspect that this introduction highlights. I got many levels of learning here. THANKS!
Bravo to the honesty of that retired soldiers expressions of his pain. That introduction was powerful. It was real, and I can see how it would
be helpful for those who are trained not to allow themselves to delve into the ‘touchy feely’ realm. Thank you for sharing that story with us.
Watching this video was a very moving experience. I was, at first shocked to hear the new introduction to the trauma imagery cd. As I listened, though, I felt the heart and spirit of this soldier talking to other survivors, and it brought tears to my eyes. I can see how this would penetrate and be more effective than beginning with “sweet” talk. I firmly believe in meeting people where they are when doing my own work. I also create Guided Imagery cds of a spiritual genre, and will remember this video when beginning a new creation.
In addition, I am a survivor of much childhood abuse, and understand on a visceral level how this new introduction might speak directly to the pain, in order to get the listener’s attention, acknowledge the wounds, and then move on to the gentle, more sensitive imagery.
Thank you and thank Belleruth for really hearing the need and responding to the call.
Many blessings,
Lynne Newman, MPS
A very good tool for decisionmaking and choosing new ways.
Very moving and fascinating. Thank you for making this possible to share and for your valuable contribution to all of us.
Powerful!
Wonderful! A fantastic bridge for those with a highly activated neurological system to walk across and begin to find relief. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you very much that I was allowed to listen to this.
It proves to me one more time – that you have to pick up people from where they are.
Very impressing. !
Thank you very much for your generosity in sharing such a compeling story that challenges alls of us to be prepared to work with specific population and their needs. Great job… Noris Maldonado, La Coruna, SPAIN
Yes I also found this very moving – on many levels. Thank-you for sharing this very rich creation. Thanks also for highlighting the broader definition of culture. There is a lot of talk about respecting the culture of our clients. Too often people only consider culture associated with a particular heritage attached to a particular country, race or religion. There are cultures and traditions that develop over time in particular localities, professions and organisations.
Thank you so much for sharing this video. I think that it always is necesary to reach the person where the person is. In this case it shows how diffecult it can be when a persons life and values is so far from the world a therapist normally lives in. Empaty and war doesn`t fit together.
Ruth,
What a beautiful job you all did with that story of mine about my favorite retired first Sergeant!! I’m so impressed with the graphics, the editing and the whole effort with production values etc. Dave taught me a valuable lesson and I’m so happy you’ve given me a way to share it with a wider audience of therapists and providers, who will need to know about reactions like this if they don’t already.
A sincere hats off and big thanks to you and your team.
xox
Belleruth
I found this deeply moving. It reminds me of the importance always of listening, deeply, profoundly to what may be being said or not. Thank you for your generosity in making this video available for me to continue to learn about this being human, and the many ways that we can express ourselves fully.
Excellent use of MATCHING & PACING, an NLP technique for building rapport. Rapport is the most essential element in therapy. In my opinion having rapport with the client can overcome lack of experience and skills. Having rapport with ones clients allows them to feel understood at a deep and profound level, to feel accepted unconditionally.
Rehana Webster
EFT Master Practitioner
NLP Master Practitioner
very powerful and appropriate approach. I am so impressed with this. I will definitely share it.
I loved the video and it just spoke to me, as I always say there are a a hundred ways to deliver but we have to find the right way for the individual, as it is true for helping people heal themselves. Thank you so much for sharing this video and for making it available to so many. May you be blessed in your continuing great work Pamela