When we treat patients who have experienced trauma, we’re often working with a brain that’s driven by fear.
So for practitioners, it can be essential to know just what part of the brain to focus in on, and more importantly, what you can do once you know where to look.
According to Sebern Fisher, MA, there’s one powerful intervention that can help . . .
. . . and it can be a resource for patients who are trying to calm a frightened brain after trauma.
Check out the video clip (below) for more – it’s just 3 minutes.
To hear more about neurofeedback and how it’s changing the way we treat trauma, click here.
Have you used brain science in your work with trauma patients? Please share your experience in the comments.
I was wandering if it could help with Pots Syndrome? I had a ischemic stroke
In 2012 and recovered 9 months later with little residual effects.
I recently was diagnosed with Pots Syndrome in December of 2016
And has really turned my world upside down. Was looking into DNRS to re wire the brain. The Neurofeedback sounds pretty much the same. Just need to turn of my flight or fight response .
Thanks,
Christina
I have reached out to people that applies neurofeedback in Mexico and no one knows about developmental trauma and it´s aplications in it. They have established protocols for other things.
How can you get it specifically for your needs when the practitioners do not know how to use it for other things than the protocols they have
Does anyone know, if i can find neurofeedback of the sort that Dr Fisher is talking about in the UK ? Thanks
Isn’t it sad when people with Autism are coeeidsrnd to be partially and, in the case of your country, lumped in the same group as people with mental retardation? I have yet to meet a child with Autism that is not VERY bright. They all seem to ahve a high intellect, but lack the ability to communicate this.At an rate, Autism is a HUGE spectrum, so to give a lifetime prognosis is difficult, and would have to be done on an individual basis. Every person is SO different. The best treatment that I have seen is the Applied behavioral Analysis (ABA) program. It seems to have an amazing affect on almost every individual that goes through it. best of luck!!
Not letting me sign up today either. Did enjoy the previous webinar.
If you watched last Wednesday night’s webinar, then you are already signed up for this Trauma series.
NeurOptimal Neurofeedback doesn’t target any specific area of the brain. Instead it reads the brainwave activity of the whole brain, provides information the brain on what it has just done, and then the brain does what it needs to do to be more efficient and resilient. Systems may be purchased anywhere in the world.
We purchased a system 2 years ago to assist our son who has ADHD and trauma issues related to adoption. Neurofeedback has transformed his life and our lives since then. He is much less reactive, less sensitive to noise, can participate in team and individual sports for the first time, and can access his marvelous sense of humour. As a result of the changes seen for all of us, I am now a full time practitioner providing neurofeedback in the community.
I would be happy to connect with anyone wanting more information or to share my experience further.
Is there a regression phase when starting? I would love to hear more.
A good example of how bullies (as well as rapists) have more victims than the public wants to believe. That’s why it is hugely important for society to listen when a victim has the courage to speak out.
Heart Chakra centered meditation has allowed me personally to progress and continue after much PTSD inspired events. Not so easy to explain how per what to my patients who want a quick pill or procedure though. Also no precedence or liability protection to prescribe meditation so what does this do?
Perhaps write a disclaimer and be sure to have it signed. New therapies are new therapies.
I can’t access the sign up mechanism from this e-mail. I so look forward to another webinar in this series and don’t want to miss it.
Also, I have for years now wanted to get neurofeedback training and equipment but I have found nothing available in or near Oregon. I have watched this process with another clinician working with a client I had been treating for PTSD for 6 months and it was very helpful for her and I was impressed!
Annie Hopper’s Dynamic Neural Retraining System (DNRS) rewires, too.
Just a note about Annie Hopper’s DNRS: although it has worked for many, I found it IMPOSSIBLE to do. I think it’s because I have dyslexia and the practices were too confusing for me to follow even after 6 months of diligently trying. Glad that there are many practices out there to meet the specific needs of individuals in overcoming trauma.
Link to the training and practice?
Thank you again for this wonderful series — especially for covering Developmental Trauma, which is so under-reported. Please see clear, concise summary of Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s documentation of Developmental Trauma at the Attachment Disorder Healing website.
(I had to create it in March when I couldn’t find a good summary on the web…)
Wonderful, Kathy! Thanks for sharing it here!
I am a healthcare professional. Could you please advise where/how/with whom I could get Neurofeedback training?
I’m the trauma patient. I’ve tried neurofeedback. When my right brain was treated I felt wonderful! Then the Dr. said we needed to treat my left brain to balance my brain. First session I was a mess! Since she insisted on doing sessions her way I quit. Ok for me as I found other methods to get the results I needed. Others might not be so lucky.
What I want to say and for you to know ~ listen to what the traumatized person is saying. Remove your own agenda from the sessions. Had my Dr. listened to me instead of insisting on her agenda I would have stayed with the program and benefited instead of having to find other means on my own when I was so vulnerable. Thank you for listening.
Well said, Elaine! I’ve been through so many times when I was not listened to and then had to change therapists, which is extremely traumatic at the time, in order to find relief. Won a lawsuit against one for having her own agenda and lack of boundaries, and then became a therapist to heal myself (and to try to understand what the hell they’ve been taught). I have come through with no meds and no hospitals — taking time whenever triggered to heal naturally through exercise and rest and keeping an attitude of curiosity about what I’m learning about my past – instead of fearing it. I’m lucky to have good supports. It happened – I deal with it. Society needs to, as well, if we are going to solve abuse and DV issues.
It’s way past time for survivors to be listened to — by the health profession, law enforcement, etc… egos get in the way, the system of denial is perpetuated, and abusers get away, while WE are the focus of scrutiny, told to keep quiet, and are put in one size fits all “boxes” of treatment. I offered to speak to staff at a major trauma clinic once (I was a regular speaker at universities) and was told by a clinician there — “No one wants to hear what you have to say.” That sums up how treatment has been for me the past 25 years whenever my history bumps up against the therapist’s own denial/issues.
When my flashbacks started many years ago, I could been validated that this is a normal reaction to horrendous trauma, taught self-care techniques, and about safety vs. paranoia, instead of the treatment I received of being blamed and shamed – by numerous doctors, therapists, law enforcement, etc.
I think it’s wonderful that there is a focus on treatment for veterans. However, there needs to be just as strong a focus on dealing with PTSD for women and men coming from abusive situations. The denial of RAPE in families and in society (sexual abuse and incest are minimizing words) continues to perpetuate this through generations.
Guess this touched a nerve for me! 🙂 Thanks for listening.
I hear you! You’re right and I apologize for the ignorance of conventional therapy and the “drug them and talk them out of it model.” We’re in the midst of a paradigm shift that is being largely driven by dissatisfied consumers as well as frustrated clinicians. I’ve been practicing and teaching techniques in the evidence-based field of energy psychology for 15 years, speciallizing in trauma. These techniques, especially for combat veterans or civilians who grew up in a war zone in their own homes, are unsurpassed, ( even better than EMDR) for healing fast, deeply and without re-traumatization. Think the VA wants to hear that? NO.
Sue: Thanks for your post on energy-psychology. I hope you come back and read this reply! I’ve been utilizing various ‘energy’ modalities for many years, all with some–though limited–success in my own healing. Developmental trauma can be so intractable for some of us. I’d be so appreciative if you could share more about which techniques you employ, and where I/we could do more investigation into them, and perhaps find local therapists who use them. Thanks so much for your time.
Dear Sue,
Beautifully put! Please when you say evidence-based field of energy psychology, could you specify, do you use tapping aka Emotional Freedom Technique, or what kinds of energy psychology? I love EMDR but having eye surgeries recently so had to go back to tapping — and wow does it allow me to hit my “triggers” and take the stories of what ostensibly is bothering me today, and move them all the way back to what was done to me as an infant and young child. If I just keep with it and keep tapping, I eventually release a pile of pent-up baby rage and terror. Sometimes it keeps me up all night but when it’s all finished washing through me, I feel like a million bucks…
The other major thing I do to heal is practice Dr. Tara Brach’s “Radical Acceptance” meditation
Kathy
Woah nelly, how about them aplsep!
I’ve been calling my entry to the world a war zone too. It clearly was. And I had no training, no weapon or defenses. My reactions to it were further scapegoats and pathologies by family and then “experts”.
My life has been a constant state of surviving crimes.
What you said echoed with my experience. Shame and blame. You might want to read my post on the same page. Many folk who are bullied at work also have some Interpersonal trauma in their early background. But that’s not to blame them. The bully remains the one who is to blame.
One of the phrases in our glossary (see website) is “Pass By Nibble”. Sharks do this and bullies do it too. They are gauging the response to see how hard this person is going to fight. If there isn’t much of a fight they go in for the kill.
I hope your search for answers continues to be fruitful. You are a brave person. Please think about helping bullied Targets by getting involved.
Thanks for your comment, Martha.
I want to add that meditation has also been a great help to me, as well as music, art and other creative projects. I believe in teaching my clients how to work with themselves… not to depend on someone else to “do something” (like in EMDR).
I advise all clients to change therapists at least every 2 years, because you learn different skills from different people. NO ONE is a guru, and if the person thinks he/she is your only hope…. RUN AWAY FROM THAT OFFICE!
BTW – I love the work you are doing, Ruth. I also follow Bessel van der Kolk’s work and appreciate his dedication to this field.
Wow, your brave determination and heartfelt comment really resonated with me. Could we connect? Someone very close to me is going through something which parallels your history and “treatment”, all of which I’m so sorry for, but glad you’re finding your way, your way:).
Thank you, Elaine, for that important reminder that each of us must be proactive in managing our healing journey, listening to our instincts about how well or poorly we are responding to any treatment modality, and making the best choices for ourselves at any given time. I, too, understand how challenging it can be to get the most useful help for our particular needs as an individual. And, how difficult it is to trust our instincts (when we’re vulnerable) while also allowing for the possibility that our fear could be throwing up road blocks, thereby preventing us from seeing what may be a truly beneficial step, and recommended by a well-intended therapist.
It can be a long journey toward self-empowerment and a semblance of wholeness, and many aspects of our Being need to be incorporated in the process: body, mind, Spirit…all of who we are. Yet, doing all of this while trying to manage our lives in this modern, too-fast world; well, I can feel myself shutting down just thinking about it! Blessings to us all who persevere.
Thank you J. Ayers for your comment. It made me realize I did the right thing to NOT use a particular therapist offering neurofeedback…because he had his own agenda. I heard it loud and clear, and chose NOT to go to him. How do we get it across to rigid minds, that everyone is different. Our trust should never be *cast like pearls to swine*.
There is no cure for Autism , I have an autistic datguher. If your in Uk then your child can go to a special school which will help him. Its agonizing i know but you really need to stop wasting your time on finding a cure and try to find a speech and language therapist or someone in that field. There are lots of information on the web about autism if you go onto U TUBE there are endless videos of families and children in the same situation, Your child is mute but probably very bright. Children tend to be geniuses with Autism, You need to speak to someone, maybe call THE NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY, sorry i cant help you further but please gain help.I wish you and your son all the best.
Another really powerful approach to haling trauma that I look forward to learning more about.