Posttraumatic Stress (PTSD)
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Posted: November 12, 2018
Hi, Belleruth,
For many years I have suffered from panic disorder and PTSD, as well as sleepless nights, anxiety and depression. All these conditions get worse with the approaching holiday season.
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Posted: February 09, 2016
We got this excellent question from a woman who suffered nightmares from being in an abusive relationship for 12 years. As her question indicates, it's often a very good idea to use guided imagery to boost and deepen the healing from a protocol like the one she's about to embark on with her therapist: called Nightmare Reprocessing or Imagery Rehearsal Therapy.
Question:
Hi Belleruth I am about to start nightmare reprocessing with my therapist for nightmares I have suffered from for 12 years relating to a severely abusive relationship. Which guided imagery CD would you recommend I use for this process?
Thanks....
Sally
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Posted: February 05, 2016
We got this wonderful note from someone who had suffered a lifetime of hyper-vigilant sleeplessness, due to a traumatic childhood, replete with surprise, nighttime attacks by a deranged, liquor-fueled parent. Not everyone experiences a "miracle cure" for their insomnia with guided imagery like this, but you'd be surprised how many times we hear from people who actually do! Here it is:
Dear Belleruth,
I wanted to thank you from my heart for your sleep CD. I wrote you a few years ago, mentioning that I was deeply traumatized and under great stress. I was using drugs to make me sleep, and had bizarre sleepwalking issues as a result, and my mood problems seemed to be worsening. There were some psychotic breaks. At that extreme point I began to use your sleep CD.
I stopped ingesting the chemicals as well during this period, using the CD nightly.
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Posted: February 02, 2016
We got this terrific question about which guided imagery to use, when you can only afford a couple of the CDs, for complex trauma from longstanding childhood abuse and beyond, into adulthood. The good news is, there's a relevant freebie on our Subscribe page that is the perfect meditation to start with... Read on, Dear Reader:
Question:
Hi-
I was looking at your guided imagery CDs and thinking about purchasing one but I have a question first.
Would either of the CDs for healing trauma work for complex ptsd? Trauma endured over a long period of time...in my case in childhood and beyond as opposed to having been in combat as a member of the military.
And if the answer is yes about either CD, which of the two do you think would be more beneficial?
I would also like to get the one for Heartbreak, Abandonment and Betrayal. So for cost purposes in my situation, I was thinking of getting the lesser expensive one for trauma so I could afford to also get the one for Abandonment etc as my trauma entailed much heartbreak abandonment and betrayal.
Input and advice is welcome however.
Thank you.
Peace,
Linda -
Posted: January 05, 2016Tags: posttraumatic stress
Dear Belleruth,
I was in a bad car accident in October. I am doing much better and could possibly be released to drive and return to work in a couple of weeks.
I am having a bit of trouble sleeping, and know that after being unable to drive for 6 weeks, I will be feeling panicky about driving.
Which of your titles would be helpful for this panicky feeling? I do own some of your titles and know they have helped in the past.
Carol Ann
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Posted: November 13, 2015
I'm a Minnesota clinical psychologist with specialized training in treating complex trauma (EMDR, TFT and Somatic Experiencing). Most of my clients are adults who were abused or neglected as children. I recently began getting referrals from a battered women's shelter.
It's been challenging on many levels, not the least of which is worry over my clients' physical safety. I'm a big guy, and nothing would please me more than to clock the psychopaths who stalk and terrify my clients, but providing full-time protection services is not my job description.
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Posted: November 10, 2015
We got this query from a certified hypnotherapist working in an addiction house for men. She's been creating her own guided imagery to help with stress reduction and self-esteem. Not surprisingly, the men have histories of abuse and trauma along with chemical dependency. Here is her question:
Question:
Greetings, BR. I am a certified Hypnotherapist working in an addiction house for men.
I use guided imagery for stress reduction and self love. The gentlemen have been abused, addicted to drugs and or alcohol and other unfortunate things.
I make up my own imageries but could use some helpful ideas. Is there a book you'd suggest for ideas on the subject? The feedback has been gratifying, my intentions are for their hearts to heal and bodies to follow.
My resources are limited and I could use some references. Perhaps you've written something I could use or you have an idea of something helpful. Your reply is appreciated greatly.
Katrina
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Posted: October 20, 2015
Dear Br,
I volunteer at a battered women's shelter. I have been doing this work for nearly 4 years, ever since my daughter escaped a violent marriage and found refuge here.
Last month, a board member donated 3 of your Domestic Violence Recovery Packs to the house. What would you suggest is the most effective way to use them with the women here?
Thanks in advance.
Rosemary P.
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We got this excellent question from a trauma survivor, who understood the critical importance of the voice tone, timbre, pacing and music quality on a guided imagery CD. She understood her vulnerability to the wrong voice, and she wanted to find a way to hear a sample first.
Here is her question:
Belleruth,
I have just finished your book on healing post-trauma stress, "Invisible Heroes", and I am interested in obtaining some of your cds.
But first, I need to know what your voice sounds like. This is critical to me, because I am very sensitive to sound. I need an extremely soothing voice with soft music in the background.
Is there a place where I could just hear your voice before purchasing?
Thank you.
PS - Your book has helped me so much, but I believe the audio cds would help me more.
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Posted: October 02, 2015
We just got this very touching note that speaks to the power of guided imagery for healing posttraumatic stress.
Now, mind you, it doesn't work for everyone – there's no one magic silver bullet for PTS. But we do get this feedback frequently enough to know that when guided imagery works, it goes deep, it changes the inner landscape, and it's a godsend.
Sometimes the impact is felt right away, as was this person's experience. For others, the effects are cumulative and more subtle, and the changes sneak up on the listener after a few weeks or even months. Either way is good.