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February 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Eye Movements and Trauma Therapy
February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Eye Movements and Trauma Therapy Article
As a licensed clinical social worker and a certified traumatic stress specialist I have known of EMDR since the early 1990s. I do believe it to be an effective and useful tool in the treatment of traumatic stress. I stopped using EMDR when I learned Thought Field Therapy in the late 1990s. Thought field therapy can be taught as a self-help technique to be given to anyone suffering with the symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome). Professionals of all types, not just mental health at the Masters and PhD level, can learn and use more advance techniques to help in difficult cases. Thought Field Therapy is safe. It is a non-drug, noninvasive, non-cognitive, and fast acting technique that has been used hundreds of thousands of times around the world. Dr. Callahan’s books have been translated into nine different languages. There is a body of research verifying its effectiveness in a variety of settings. The most basic forms can be found free online, including here on this site.
If you have PTSD or know someone who does the most important thing is to not give up. You’re not alone and there is much to be done to help you. Check out my Tips to Help Someone You Love videos.
Tip #5 – Time, by Itself, Does Not Heal
January 26, 2012 By 1 Comment
You can view a video of this tip on the Videos page here.
Time, by itself, does not heal, it’s what you do with the time that heals. When you hear that old adage that time heals all wounds, don’t believe it. It’s a problem in Traumatic Stress Recovery that people get stuck in time. They get stuck in the there and then of the past. And when they do that, they get stuck in those overwhelming, horrible, ugly feelings and perceptions and thoughts that keep them from being able to move forward and to heal.
Your job with someone you love is to allow them to have some new experiences in the current moment and to keep changing. Loving someone and being alive is a moment to moment to moment experience that constantly changes and that’s what you want and what can be healing for the person you love. If they are stuck in one moment, reliving it over and over again then time really isn’t doing anything for them and time may not be changing for them.
The key here is for you to get them to engage in the moment and the best way to do that is through good contact with human beings. To be present in the moment is the only way you can really experience love, care, and concern. So get them to do it any way you can. If you can guilt trip somebody into taking some positive action that allows them to be in the moment and to have new experiences, that’s OK. It’s OK to trade actions on your part for positive actions on their part. It’s OK to play. Play is rarely a trigger for traumatic stressor events. So if you can play with them or get them to play with a child it’s a wonderful experience in the moment that helps the healing happen.
Remember, Thought Field Therapy (TFT) is very helpful in getting somebody unstuck from the there and then to the here and now. Somehow it resets the temporal map so consider using that also. But again, don’t worry about how you should or shouldn’t do it. The idea is to bring them into the moment in a loving caring and safe way. That’s very important for creating the human environment. Just keep at it and don’t give up. Remember, even if they are moving at a snail’s pace, it’s their pace but they’re moving and you will get there eventually. So do the best you can to bring those that you love into this moment and the best way to do that is loving and being loved.
Remember, there’s lots to be done and you are not alone. You can always tap if you start to get overwhelmed or get caught in those repetitious moments. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
For more about how tapping can help and how to tap instructions please check out my book, Heal Traumatic Stress NOW – No Open Wounds.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill in the comments form. If you would like to make your comment to Dr. Bray privately, please go to the Contact page to email him directly.
Tip #4 – Always Act in a Gentle Way
January 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
You can watch a video of this Tip on the video page here.
Tip #4 – Always Act in a Gentle Way
Always act in a peaceful, non-violent, gentle way. Period. We want to make sure that we are not re-traumatizing the person or creating an event where there is more violence going on. All traumatic stressor events are violent in nature. It doesn’t matter if it is man-made or whether it is a natural disaster. What happens in that we are overwhelmed in such a way that we have to give up our thoughts, our feelings, our beliefs, our way of acting in order to survive. In a very short time, that can have a very powerful impact on the person. So it doesn’t matter if it’s wind and water or it’s men with their weapons. All traumatic stressor events are violent because they violate our basic rights. Violence occurs any time our basic rights are not allowed us or are taken from us.
What are basic rights? My belief is that we have a right to our feelings and we have a right to give expression to those feelings. We have a right to our thoughts and we have a right to give expression to those thoughts. We have a right to act in a way that we choose as long we are not harming someone else.
The difficulty comes when we are working with somebody we love and they are saying things about what they think and feel that don’t feel good to us or don’t meet our desires or our needs. You have to be very careful. Don’t tell somebody that they don’t feel something when they have just told you that is what they feel. Don’t tell someone that they don’t think that when they just told you that is what they think. Now, you don’t have to agree with them but you have to accept and acknowledge what they are saying and let them know that they are in a safe place. You also get to have your own thoughts and feelings about what they are saying and what they are doing. And you have the right to give expressions to those. But remember when the focus is on helping somebody you love, you kind of have to set aside some of what you want.
Helping is about an outcome that is independent of the helper’s needs and desires. This can be very, very difficult when we are working with those that we love because our needs and desires are so interwoven. Always remember that you can find a place to talk about your thoughts and feelings in a way that may not agree with them somewhere else but when you are just trying to help them create a safe environment, a safe relationship where they get to have their thoughts and feelings be careful about it.
Remember, you are not alone, there’s lots to be done. Keep tapping. If you have any thoughts or comments or I can help in any way, please let me know.
For more about how tapping can help and how to tap instructions please check out my book, Heal Traumatic Stress NOW – No Open Wounds.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill in the comments form. If you would like to make your comment to Dr. Bray privately, please go to the Contact page to email him directly.
Who Has to Believe What to Be Better? Beliefs and Intention in EP Explored and Expanded
January 20, 2012 By
Please join me for a safe and stimulating opportunity to consider how years of practice shaped our perception, beliefs, and actions. Share and grow in your own way from the body of wisdom created by these experiences. Examine the ethical use of the power of Energy Psychology.
Sign up by February 2nd for special Early Bird pricing. For more information and to sign up, please visit 14th Annual International Energy Psychology Conference
Energy Psychology Conference Information
January 18, 2012 By
Sign up by February 2nd for special Early Bird pricing. For more information and to sign up, please visit 14th Annual International Energy Psychology Conference
How Can I Help You?
January 17, 2012 By
Last year I made quite a few changes and updates to my website and I want to be sure it is helpful for you.
I have put together a short survey to get your feedback and suggestions. There are only 5 questions and will take just a few minutes to complete. And your information will be kept confidential.
Please click here to access the survey.
Thank you,
Dr. Bray
Thank you to Vietnam Veterans of America
January 12, 2012 By
Money Saved at Misdiagnosed Vets’ Expense
Thank you to the Vietnam Veterans of America Connecticut Greater Hartford Chapter 120 for having the courage to confront this reality of the Veteran’s Administration’s ways. Your leadership in getting the benefits due our veterans is appreciated by those who work with those who suffer with PTSD.
If the VA wants to save money they have to look to other ways. Using Thought Field Therapy, a non-drug, non-invasive, and safe technique to heal the overwhelming symptoms will save money and suffering.
Reminder – Healing Trauma Teleclass is Tomorrow
January 11, 2012 By
Start the New Year by Leaving the Past Behind with the Healing Trauma Teleclass
Our live TFT tele-class that you can attend over the phone is coming up next Thursday. The class will help those wanting to overcome past trauma or losses in their lives… with special guest Dr. Robert Bray and Joanne Callahan.
Thursday, January 12th – 5 pm Pacific7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
For more information and to register, please click here.
My Thoughts on ‘Synthetic’ Marijuana and the Military
January 10, 2012 By
‘Synthetic’ marijuana is problem for US military is an interesting article in that it completely misses the point.
Synthetic or organic, it makes no difference, what underlies drug abuse is an attempt to manage overwhelming emotional distress. Think about how desperate one must be to escape their life by using untested and dangerous drugs rather than find a way to managing and enjoying one’s life. Regardless of their military status everyone has a right to live in health, love, and joy. Learning and using thought field therapy to manage these overwhelming feelings is a much better way to improve our society. The money it costs to control these substances and the resulting actions could much better be used in creating environments which do not require drugs to tolerate them. Thought Field Therapy is a noninvasive, drug-free, and safe way to manage overwhelming feelings.
For more about how tapping can help and how to tap instructions please check out my book, Heal Traumatic Stress NOW – No Open Wounds.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill in the comments form. If you would like to make your comment to Dr. Bray privately, please go to the Contact page to email him directly.
Reminder – the Healing Trauma Teleclass is next Thursday
January 6, 2012 By
Start the New Year by Leaving the Past Behind with the Healing Trauma Teleclass
Our live TFT tele-class that you can attend over the phone is coming up next Thursday. The class will help those wanting to overcome past trauma or losses in their lives… with special guest Dr. Robert Bray and Joanne Callahan.
Thursday, January 12th – 5 pm Pacific7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
For more information and to register, please click here.
Start the New Year by Leaving the Past Behind
December 15, 2011 By
Start the New Year by Leaving the Past Behind with the Healing Trauma Teleclass
We’re pleased to offer a live TFT tele-class that you can attend over the phone. The class will help those wanting to overcome past trauma or losses in their lives… with special guest Dr. Robert Bray and Joanne Callahan.
Thursday, January 12th - 5 pm Pacific7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
For more information and to register, please click here.
Facebook Page
Don’t forget to check out the Thought Field Therapy Center Facebook Page. Please feel free to share it with anyone you think would benefit.
Tips for Helping Some One You Love Tip #3
December 13, 2011 By
Be Prepared
In some cases of extreme Traumatic Stress individuals can become disconnected and hopeless. When that happens, sometimes their thoughts begin to turn toward suicide or other self-destructive behaviors. Sometimes they might start acting in that way. It’s important to think about this in advance so that if it does come up, you’ll be prepared and can be a better helper.
When somebody says to me that they are thinking and feeling this way, I respond in a way that keeps them talking. So my basic stance is to say, “Thank you. Thank you for sharing and for trusting in me enough to share these feelings with me because now we can talk about it and make some changes.” If you can get them to talk about it to share what’s going on, that in many times will bring back a sense of connection to themselves, their community and one another and bring back some hope. Or you can maybe give them some ideas of things they can do to deal with this sense of desperate hopelessness.
If someone starts to act in a suicidal way, that’s different. Having thoughts and feelings is really important to just keep processing it but if someone is taking action, that’s very different. If someone is acting with intention or acting in self-destructive ways it is time to do something besides just talk about it.
My stance with people is, “I will not participate in your self-destruction, I will do whatever I need to do to help keep you alive. As long as you are alive there is hope.” I am willing to call the police or do a family intervention even if it means that I may complicate my relationship, even if it may mean that I end my relationship with someone. It is necessary sometimes to help people stay safe.
There is always help available, you don’t have to do this on your own. Reach out to your family, your friends or professionals you may already know. And also there is always professional assistance available. Simply Google “Suicide hotline” and you will find expert help immediately. Do what you need to do to help the person stay alive and keep some hope going.
Now, it’s an important thing to know that it is uniquely human for us to be able to make this decision about whether we live or die. It’s an expression of our freedom. Every mature adult has to, at some time, come to some decisions about what’s important to them to live and to die for. There is nothing wrong with talking about these conditions under which you will live or which you are willing to give up your life. Don’t be afraid to engage in the conversations. Just stay aware and if you need help because it’s moving from thoughts and feelings to actions, reach out and find help.
I hope this is useful to you and I want to remind you that you are not alone. There is lots to be done to be better so keep tapping and let me know if there is something I can do to help.
For more about how tapping can help and how to tap instructions please check out my book, Heal Traumatic Stress NOW – No Open Wounds.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill in the comments form. If you would like to make your comment to Dr. Bray privately, please go to the Contact page to email him directly.
Don’t Forget – the 24-hour TAALK-a-Thon is this weekend.
December 7, 2011 By
Update:
The date has been changed to December 10th and 11th.
Join us for the 24-hour TAALK-a-Thon to end child sexual abuse. Dr. Bray will be a special guest on TAALK’s 24 hour internet radio show featuring guest speakers each hour covering a variety of topics related to child sexual abuse awareness, education and support. Listen to the show live on November 19th/20th or listen to the archives after the fact but register either way at http://www.taalk.org/TAALK-A-THON2.
Holiday Tips for Tappers
December 1, 2011 By
Recognizing when tapping is needed and doing it will help you enjoy this time even more. Here are some reminders of when you may find tapping helpful.
1. The holidays are about families in many ways. This sometimes means the family who are no longer with us. Tap for grief (trauma and complex trauma algorithms). Remember the gifts of love or tradition given us by generations of family and friends. Sharing this history with others is great way to honor those people who are still important to us. When you recall the important moments with these loved ones from the past use TFT to help you feel the good from those times.
2. The holidays are a very busy time. Use your time and energy wisely. After you make your to-do list do what most coaches and time experts suggest and cut it in half. If even the thought of this makes you anxious then tap. The basic anxiety algorithm is always helpful when our expectations and our time available are incompatible. Getting the anxious feeling out of the way makes it easier to plan effectively.
3. Pace yourself. How much you eat, drink, spend, go without rest, and say yes to invitations is important in staying healthy and keeping your energy high. Are you choosing to do what brings joy to you and your loved ones or just giving in to an urge to indulge your unhealthy habits? Tap the urge control algorithm and you will choose your activities with more care and get more done.
4. Enjoy the high levels of stimulation that comes with the all the increased activities but be sure to monitor how well you are doing. Increased clumsiness, difficulty staying on track, recurring reversals, or feeling off in general are indicators of the need for collarbone breathing. Do this TFT technique as needed and you will probably need it more for the holidays.
5. As the daylight is reduced by the coming of winter many of us are vulnerable to feelings of depression and loss of energy. Tapping the depression algorithm is a very good starting point in caring for ourselves and enjoying our time with those we care about the most.
6. Share the gift of TFT with those around you. Helping others through the rough moments of the holidays is a gift to both you and those you share it with. Tap often and openly. Be a shameless tapper this holiday season.
Wishing you all the best of everything and a magnificent New Year.
For more about how tapping can help and how to tap instructions please check out my book, Heal Traumatic Stress NOW – No Open Wounds.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill in the comments form. If you would like to make your comment to Dr. Bray privately, please go to the Contact page to email him directly.