There are people who are working hard, day in and day out, to discover the breakthroughs that can improve trauma treatment . . .
And then there are the people, including many of you, who work hard to learn the latest so you can make a difference in the lives of your patients – trauma survivors who just want to get their lives back.
As the Rethinking Trauma series comes to a close, I’d like to take a moment to look back and reflect on what we’ve learned.
It has been quite a journey as we added to our knowledge week after week.
I’m inspired by all the feedback we’ve gotten throughout the series – it means so much to us to be able to see how you’re using the ideas from the series in your work and in your life.
We’re also excited to see people from all over the world in all kinds of professions using the comment boards to communicate – whether it’s to share resources with each other, or even to open up about their own personal experiences with trauma.
This year’s trauma series had practitioners from a record-breaking number of countries – 11,996 people from 78 countries! The largest webinar was attended by 6,622 practitioners from 59 countries.
Having this kind of participation tells us that this topic matters to people all over the globe. The strong international presence also adds a valuable international perspective to our comment boards.
I’d like to share some of the thoughts from this year’s trauma series that have really stayed with me:
– Mudita Maclurcan, MindBody therapist for people with cancer, NSW, Australia
“This was a wonderful refresher webinar with Pat [Ogden] that has captured what I need to do more of in my work as my relationship with the clients develops over a period of time . . . Thanks for another great webinar again!”
– Catherine Sonaram-Taylor, Trauma and Abuse Counselor, United Kingdom
“This webinar [with Bessel van der Kolk] . . . disseminated information that I had not heard as succinctly or clearly in the past . . . Van der Kolk gave many concrete examples of interventions to calm the physiology . . . And there was so much more packed into this one hour that connected the dots for me. This was truly an enriching webinar; I’m so happy I tuned in.”
– Louise Del Maestro, LCSW, Annandale, VA
“Another webinar packed with solid content. Pat [Ogden] was incredible – covered so much with clarity, and examples from her work. Many thanks to Ruth and NICABM for this whole series. Having completed the formal teaching component of my training, these sessions reinforce and add to my learning and practice. My Wednesday evenings at 10pm will not be the same!”
– Sue Brierly, Senior Trainee Integrative Child Counselor, Lancashire United Kingdom
If you were able to share some of your thoughts with everyone on one of the comment boards (or our blog), thank you for your participation. Having the involvement of caring people like yourself makes our programs more than just a webinar series, and into a real community of practitioners.
If you’ve seen the series, what parts stayed with you the most? Have you applied anything from the series in your practice yet? Please share your experience in the comments below.
What a great review of the trauma material. I am up to date with all this material but
It is SO important to go over it again to consolidate. I just saw Porges
In person at couples Conference in Manhattan Beach, CA in April and
I needed to review his material again. I find I need to review again and again
so I can apply to my healing work with clients. I had never heard Ogden before although
I studied with one of her trainers. Her work is so inuitive for me I feel like I can immediately
Apply and synethize almost immediately. I am glad I AMA gold member so I can print out transcripts and watch again.
Thanks a bunch
Wendy
Thank you for offering the 1st showing of the webinar series free for those of us who are not practicing professionals. I’m someone who believes my fibromyalgia stems at least in part to having suffered developmental trauma. The trauma has been perpetuated in my adulthood by people who’ve bullied me, and some therapists and I have tried to figure out why I’m susceptible to that. A light bulb went on when Ron Siegel shared the story of the client who went into a seizure state when she felt threatened. Seeing her in that freeze state spurred others with predatory personalities to go in for the attack. That so perfectly explains my experiences. Now that it makes sense to me, I no longer feel the shame I carried for so long. That catharsis was priceless to me, but wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for all of the info I gathered throughout the entire series, and the help Ruth, Joan and Ron provided in discussing the ramifications it has for helping those of us who need it. It feels good to know there are compassionate professionals–all of the presenters & facilitators–expanding their knowledge and reach so that those who suffer can be empowered. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I came to listen to this series as I have been practising the Trauma/Tension Reducing Exercises that were developed by Dr. David Berceli. He was one of the bonus speakers. As a trainee and now being certified to teach individuals or groups, I am ever surprised by how the body relaxes when it is in a safe place and has a mechanism to release the tension. Unless the person has real complex trauma, they can teach themselves the exercises from David’s books or DVD. I have used them for 3 years.
S. Porges talk reflects the complexity & simplicity of how it works.
Each speaker had great wisdom. Great fodder for further discussion and application. Thank you for the opportunity to share our comments.
I agree with Gene Kol, one of the responders…..”Currently i am not in a position to be able to purchase the membership but would have liked to in order to listen to (all the) speakers. Thank you Ruth for bringing this knowledge to all around the world. You have done a great job. Looking forward to the next webinar.” I think your generous gift of free seminars is helpful in making better therapists (myself included) and improving the world. This knowledge is so needed. There are so many suffering from trauma in their lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Dr. Bucyzynski,
I want to thank you for this very helpful series. And also, thank you for your skillful moderation of the presentations. Your thoughtful questions often helped clarify what the presenter was trying to express.
I think I gained a lot more from the series as a result of your interactions with the presenters.
I like to say I don’t know if makes sense that I am in the space of healing myself, not in the practitioner field as an odd number here in this community which I certainly do not feel so. I must honestly say for various reasons, largely it is very rare to find a good complex combination of therapist background in many trauma fields with great personal mindfulness and inner work done to hold a big space yet quick in knowing to respond to my needs for a longer period of time of work, that I have personally experienced since infants, and then long childhood history ( but grew up in the place where such practice or say trauma are never being mentioned and let alone knowing it is as traumas and needs treatment. ) I have a real challenge to find one and with financial aspect at play I did not then really push myself to find one, though I have tried with many various ones, and I have to say, it has not been easy in reality to find one that whom I am drawing to work with for a longer time, more than 3 months.
So I loved loved this series, and all the previous ones, as I use them all what I can learn and absorb to work and digest for myself, and apply onto myself and then can see what works and not works right at the moment I have certain challenges. Specifically, when there is detailed and concrete examples I hear from Peter Levine on touching and holding the bodies, and Pat Ogden’s examples ( as it is fresh on the example working with Bill on touching the head and exaggerate subtly of the posture) , as well as Ruth’s great question to solicit or induced such sharing in the interviewing, then the panel’s addition from their shared examples personally or people their helped, plus all the other speakers shared examples, I can go on and on. I have really keep feeling the richness for me to explore and apply personally and to integrate them through notes taking and then go back to my notes again and again as well as experiences. And some of that I even apply with others, like friends or family members even through the phone. Due to my learnings in all these collective sessions and examples , I understood my own reaction better in my body, or in my emotions and thoughts field. I then really get to start to experiment myself almost right away when difficulties arises.
Even though I am not a professional therapist, I am a therapist and possibly we all are in some level to ourselves where life runs 24 by 7, very difficult times arises at any given situation and times, I can help myself as much as the richness and understanding enables me to for myself. In addition, I have to say, whatever I learn , I get to understand with interaction with others better, or respond to others better not as a therapist largely due to more broad and depth of understanding and by applying the knowledge and experiences I gained. So I could be a invisible therapist in life’s small moments. There is really need to have the separation of large learned knowledge that has been practiced and understood somatically between therapist and the real world application. That is how I personally feel. As most of the people has some level of difficultes or known or unknown trauma in their lives or their loved ones. As a side note, I did find for myself at one time, when actually meditation for a long time had induced my trauma state. So I now trust my bodies to give me instant feedback when I scan through quickly in needed time which method might work for me.
Without being able to have a great therapist like Pat Ogden, Peter or Steve whom I would really have liked to have met for example, ( and many other names that I could not come to possibly list them all) , I largely reply on mostly myself, and then whatever I can access find good resonance with a therapist at the time to work with, so what I really like to say is that your series is not only for all professionals, and it actually can help anyone who are mindfully aware that such interviews with all the work shared, example shared for all the people regardless their professionals to gain personally as well as inter-relationally.
If I were see The positive effect for not having met one that answered all my needs, it keeps propel me to seek with a yearning hunger for knowledge, experiences shared here in these interviews toward searching and reaching for wholeness and healing for myself.
So I do like to emphasize the small group I may belong to here is the self healer like myself in your panel.
I am so grateful beyond words for such opportunities to meet so many wonderful loving kind professional who dedicate their lives in their work in helping others. And thank you Ruth for your work and your organization.
A Correction:
I accidentally left out the word NO in my original text as I was rushed out for a workshop yet compelled to send this spontaneous reply. So in the original text I meant to write: there is NO need to have the separation in the therapist world of knowledge, that has been practiced and understood somatically between therapist and the real world application.
What I meant to highlight here is I realize such amazing knowledge and therapies, practices have not really been known by many across our large population in genera. Yet the whole populations could have gained a lot of insight on healing and benefited tremendously from these work on somatic trauma practices shared here. That is how I see it from my personal experiences.
So I suggest that therapist can and should invite their friends and families who are not even in therapist field into this sessions to hear for themselves to see and learn how much they can benefit from all these amazing works.
I watched some of the series and free webinairs. All are wonderful; thank you Ruth. I’d like to use this forum to thank all who are working to prevent trauma and develop resilience. And to give a heads up to others who I hope are interested in elder care.
There are prodigious trauma reactions in the elderly, and their caregivers and families. But most are still approached through CBT treatments for depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Can you see flooding and desensitization, and prolonged exposure techniques applied to frail elders? To yourself? (Let alone young soldiers or rape victims…)
Now, those over 85 are the fastest growing cohort of USA population. This is another political, ecological, spiritual, social, and personal perfect storm gathering on our global baby-boomer horizon. It is becoming us. We will be the recipients of whatever elder care there is.
Many years ago I chose Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing to be the primary foundation for my work with elders. In his latest book, “In an Unspoken Voice,” you can really see wisdom factors woven throughout his approach.
I am inviting trauma prevention practitioners to notice their own and others’ current and impending aging issues. In doing so, I’m shifting the trauma lens to focus on love, and awe, rather than terror. As Dr. Seus said, aging is not for sissies.
I need detachment theories, not just attachment theories. I need to practice transiting major losses. I need to be familiar with entering into transformational states. And, as Peter has done, make these sometimes seemingly esoteric practices specific, effective, and available to as many as possible. Otherwise the idea of having a “good death” is only an idea.
The “good life” – this also requires effective, vital, social support systems, ones we’d like to pass on. This probably means addressing the alcohol infused, stress saturated, trauma replicating systems we see surfacing in politics, agribusiness, and religion.
So there is plenty of exciting work for us, from easing an infants passage into the world, to helping a young Vet shed his armor, to guiding an old person (ourselves) as we shed this beautiful body.
I would like to echo your sentiments regarding those in the older years. We are living longer. We are alive inside with as much – if not more – anguishing, questioning, suffering and potential for growth as younger people. We are, most of us, intimately aware that life ends. Most of us have learned a tremendous amount that is not acknowledged by our children or grandchildren. We often find ourselves treated as irrelevant in this rapidly changing world. Many of us are alone or lonely, without the support of family or social networks we once had. Some are without the collegial support or professional/family roles that once helped give structure to our lives. Sessions with (mostly younger) therapists can feel irrelevant and disconnected from our busy internal lives. My own therapist prescribed drugs, recommended one book and handed me a sheet of relaxation exercises. Often the sessions feel formulaic and un-tuned to our stage of life and to the growths and transformations that are possible now. Often life’s arrows have taken our partners, our roles, our finances. I myself endured a medical bankruptcy and the loss of my spouse, moved to be near (indifferent) children and thus lost home and community. All of this shocks the body and mind. Talking about 60 or 70 or 80 years of living does not seem helpful to us, though perhaps the therapist needs some of that background. The webinars touched on ideas and therapies that would work well for older people. Unfortunately, I find myself in that group of sufferers who have to figure out how to make these ideas work for myself.
Marilyn, Yes- it is us who need this, not just “them,” and this is our work. Thank you for responding in such a heart felt way. We can see the leveling brilliance of trauma work is that it is for “us,” and “them” both. I am sorry you were crushed by “normal” circumstances in our dominant culture. (I’m struggling too with door closing, doors opening syndrome.) Yet you have moved, and moved me; indifference is not your path! You have eloquently described our situations and futures, happening now. Since indifference, ignorance, and outright dismissal are narrowing life options for many, young and old, those of us aging do remember a lot, and do know how to instigate liveliness. I am so glad you can speak out for life now. How do we remain vital, whether or not long lived? This is when our trauma training can be vital to staying alive while we live. Even if some don’t want to receive what we have to give- find one person, a stranger, and make a good conversation with them. Research shows a smile from a stranger does more to light up our oxytocin than the greeting of a familiar loved one. You did it for me. Thx. Give that formulaic young therapist some chocolate and tell em to go take a walk on grass.
Pat, you have been able to bring together and facilitate an incredible unique group of bio/physiological, psychological, and sociological experts. Everyone around the world who has benefitted from these lectures owes you a great debt of gratitude.
It is especially unique that you have allowed, a birds eye view with good acoustics, to learn this important material for those who could not otherwise afford it, but who are also in great need to learn and to disseminate this knowledge (integrated what expertise they already have), to others who they treat or serve.
I have changed my schedule to hear part of these series.
Thank you again,
May your good work come back to you in many other ways.
(I just read the comments of others, after writing my own. I realized again that I am not unique in my feelings and how much we all agree how much we have gotten out of this, and how much good and healing you have provided for the world community, dear Ruth!)
I manage to see Shapire, Porges and Ogden. The first and the latter were clear revisions of material i use daily. Porges was a refreshingly new topic. Currently i am not in a position to be able to purchase the membership but would have liked to in order to listen to the other speakers. Thank you Ruth for bringing this knowledge to all around the world. You have done a great job. Looking forward to the next webinar.
A wonderful series. I actually prefer learning from books and reading. Pat Ogden’s wonderful presentation provoked me to buy her book, Trauma and The Body and to find some articles on Hakomi. I have enjoyed them all mightily and am finding I was able to clean up some of my own personal history. Now onto integrating this wonderful work into my Feldenkrais sessions.
I usually like NICABM’s conferences. But this one i LOVED. Very, very useful and actionable information.
Ryan
Many thanks to Ruth and NICABM for your so wonderful work, helpful in so many ways.
I would like to point out to you a new book from Laurence Heller, PhD, coauthor of Carsh Course (about auto accident trauma) titled « Healing Developmental Trauma, How Early Trauma Affects Self-Regulation, Self-Image, and the Capacity for Relationship ». Dr Laurence Heller is the originator of NARM, The NeuroAffective Relational Model for restoring connection, a unified system to work with developmental, attachment, and shock trauma.
I’m looking forward for a video interview with Ruth and Dr Heller about NARM, The Neuro Affective Relational Model for restoring connection. I’m reading this book right now and it worth so much to discover it.
Thanks again!
I want to thank Ruth again for this series. Especially enjoyed the van der Kolk webinar. I second what L. Blais is saying above about Laurence Heller’s NARM model and book. The book is not limited to shock trauma by any means and fully covers developmental trauma roots and strategies. There is a 2 hour Youtube lecture “Healing Developmental Trauma” by Dr. Heller. Excellent introduction. His book and model are highly recommended and form a logical extension of Peter Levine’s work into Developmental Trauma areas. This is major innovation.
I loved hearing/seeing Porges present his work in understandable earth language. Ogden’s reminder to pay attention to the body, both the client’s and mine, was an important memory jog.
At the same time I find NICABM’s increasingly infomercial-like marketing distasteful. These are excellent professional presentations not a gimmicky kitchen tool that slices and dices.