Veterans and Asbestos

Here's something you might want to check into.

Veterans and Mesothelioma

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are currently about 25 million living individuals who have served in the United States' Armed Forces. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of these living veterans were exposed to toxic asbestos-containing materials during military service. This has resulted in an elevated rate of asbestos-related diseases in veterans.

http://www.asbestos.com/veterans/

Here's their website for more information. I don't know anything about this and can't answer any questions  but I can put you in touch with the experts!

EFT Tapping Success Stories with Veterans

EFT Tapping Success Stories with Veterans: Constance Louie-Handelman, Ph.D, a former captain in the US Army Reserve shares how after just one round of EFT tapping, soldiers were noticeably changed.

photo by Lance Cpl. Jason T. Guiliano

By Constance Louie-Handelman, Ph.D CPT, USAR, MS

I began investigating Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) when a friend told me about “tapping.”

Although I have a Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology, I was continually searching for other effective techniques that could help clients. I studied EMDR, Neuro-linguistic Programming and hypnotherapy.

However, after studying and practicing EFT, I found it worked quickly in eliminating fears, limiting beliefs, pain, and releasing traumatic events. Every opportunity I had, I used EFT with family, friends, and clients and achieved excellent long lasting results. I was so confident in EFT that I felt I had something to offer when I read about the high rate of suicide among U.S. soldiers.

I was commissioned as a captain in the US Army Reserve on March 2010, and was deployed to Afghanistan from July 2011 to May 2012. As a psychologist, I was in charge of a forward operating base in Kandahar Province and officially saw 199 individual soldiers (574 sessions).

Once I established rapport, understood their problems and needs, I used EFT primarily for anger, sleep, depression, and stress.

After just one round of tapping, soldiers were noticeably more relieved and calmer. Soon thereafter, soldiers added more details about their problems, or expressed issues that they had kept to themselves for years. Feeling the positive profound result, it was then easy to encourage soldiers to learn how to tap, something they could do themselves in a matter of minutes, in order to release past, current, anticipated problems or “pre-emptive tapping,” as one soldier called it.

The ease to learn and to apply the tapping was an important element of EFT since I often saw a solider just for one session.

I realized the success of EFT when soldiers were able to return to full duty, wanting to learn more about EFT, or having referred other soldiers into my office. Since returning home, I am disheartened to learn that EFT is not an accepted technique in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Fortunately, there is the Veterans Stress Project (www.stressproject.org) that offers free EFT sessions for returning vets

I can only hope that the VA’s powers-to-be will soon realize the effectiveness of EFT in order to help thousands of suffering vets, thus making a dramatic dent in the suicide rate. 

The Worst thing to ignore if someone you love has PTSD

This simple but effective technique is finding more and more skeptics turning to believers in the therapy world. EFT, or tapping, is easy to do, gives immediate relief and once you know how to do it, you can do it for yourself. So what's keeping the VA from adopting it TODAY? They want more studies.

Considering the massive amount of success that PTSD sufferers have had with this amazingly simple technique, we hope they get their studies done quickly.

Here is a quote from the article in Press Democrat.com about one man's experience...

To treat the post-traumatic stress disorder he's endured for four decades — the sleeplessness, the depression, the troubled relationships — Peter Tracy turned last year to tapping.

"It made a difference," said Tracy, 61, a Vietnam veteran. "I feel like I'm doing OK."

He said his Army service in Vietnam with a combat supply unit felt "like a nightmare I couldn't get out of."

Tapping, known formally as emotional freedom techniques, or EFT, is a therapy in which patients, guided by someone trained in the procedure, tap on acupressure points by the eye, over the lip, on the chest and under an arm. At the same time, the patient describes past traumas, ranks the intensity of the memory and repeats statements meant to affirm self- acceptance in the face of the experience.

For the entire article here is the link from PressDemocrat.com ...

http://www.eftuniverse.com/images/stories/6-4-10/pressdemovets.pdf

Only one in ten veterans who enters treatment for PTSD in the V.A. actually completes it.

This startling statistic should be an alarm that something needs to change in order for more vets to get the help they need for this life changing, debilitating condition. Two men have been in Washington D.C. this year trying to do just that!

On their first visit, Dawson Church and David Feinstein went, with a Second Lieutenant, to attempt to get Congress to set up hearings to plead the case that Energy Psychology is superior to conventional treatments for soldiers and veterans suffering with PTSD. Here is what Dr. Feinstein writes after finally getting in front of Congresswomen Lynn Woolsey.

Our presentation was brief but effective, centering around the Second Lieutenant telling of his story. While serving as a guard and medic in Iraq, he was able to psychologically mobilize himself to perform his duties like a model soldier. He had enlisted in the Army and was deployed to the “Triangle of Death” in Baghdad, where he served in 2006 and 2007. He attended to mass casualties and encountered many bloodied, burned, and dead bodies.  The first casualty he witnessed was a member of his unit who had half his head blown off.  It was a time when fellow soldiers were being kidnapped and beheaded.  At night, lying in his tent, in an area being heavily bombed, he explained what goes on in the mind:  “When the sound of a whizzing rocket fills the air, if you hear an explosion three seconds later, you are alive.  If you don’t, you are dead.”   

Upon returning to the U.S., safety did not provide comfort. In a classroom or other public setting, he would be calculating his response should there be an attack. Sirens were now the screams of approaching rockets.  An ebullient personality before the war, his inner life had become dry and restricted. He no longer found himself laughing.  He realized in retrospect that he had become dissociated from his body.  He gradually came to accept that his undiagnosed PTSD was his new way of life.  Having become an officer, and in training now to become a physician, he knew that reporting a psychological difficulty of this magnitude could have a devastating impact on his career. 

About a year after returning from Iraq, a friend commented on how he had changed. She offered to try a technique that she thought might be helpful.  This led to a three-hour session of EFT (a form of Energy Psychology) where he made a list of every trauma he experienced during the war. Giving a 0-to-10 “subjective units of distress” rating to the first item on his list, he reported that it was a 0.  He felt no distress in his (dissociated) body.  His friend had him tap on the memory anyway.  Within minutes he was sobbing, feeling the full impact of the memory, as high a 10 as could be imagined.  For three hours they went through and, by tapping on acupuncture points, emotionally neutralized every memory on his list.  He described how one of the first things he noticed as the session progressed was a return of sensation in his hands.  He said it was like he was back in his body.  By the end of that single session (followed by a brief follow-up session the next day), he was cured of all his symptoms of PTSD.  Now nearly two years later, although his friend would be happy to provide follow-up at any point, he has been his joyful self again, no longer hypervigilant, and in no need of further help. 

Dawson followed with a brief description of the research he has conducted demonstrating that the poignant story just told was not an isolated incident but rather an example of a reliable and unusually effective treatment for PTSD.  He described the Iraq Vets Stress Project, which has offered free Energy Psychology treatment to hundreds of veterans through an international network of more than 100 providers, with many VA therapists referring veterans for treatment. 

For the whole story go here! 

New film for PTSD Veterans released!

It's called OPERATION: Emotional Freedom.

I'm so excited it's finished. Here is a link to the web site where you can watch excerpts and buy a copy. I highly recommend this film. Thanks to Skywriter Communications for their work in getting this documentary out to the public. Here's a quote from that web site...

        "This groundbreaking documentary is a hard hitting look at the current state of health care for combat veterans in America diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder.) The film sets about examining the myths and misconceptions surrounding the medical/chemical approach to treating PTSD and why drugs are not "the answer" that pharmaceuticals promise. Instead, the film follows a group of volunteer vets and their families on a journey through a newer vision of health and healing for PTSD and trauma.

OPERATION: Emotional Freedom puts forward The Answer to enabling dysfunctional lives to return to balance, peace and productivity.

The project is the culmination of a two year process to document an innovative therapy for treating the physical and emotional effects arising in an increasing number of combat veterans and their families."

Finally some real solutions for this debilitating disorder. You can buy a dvd or watch it instantly on your computer. It's a tiny price to pay for changing a life!


thanks to wallyg for the photo!

Veterans PTSD documentary to be finished in May

great news, in spite of announcing his retirement, Gary Craig has given a potential date of May for the finished film on healing PTSD with veterans using EFT. Here's a quote from his most recent newsletter.


"Vets Movie: The vets movie is still in process.  Best estimate for availability is May of 2010.  I will announce it when it is ready."


I'll keep you posted and let you know how and where to go to find this DVD when it's finished!

help for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Dear Concerned Citizens, Would you contribute $5 to help a veteran fight for reform on Capitol Hill? In just 10 days, over two dozen Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will deploy to Washington, D.C. for IAVA's 5th annual Storm the Hill trip - an historic week of meetings with over 100 members of Congress. Here's where you come in. Can you pitch in to help get them the supplies they need? The vets will be meeting face-to-face with the White House, the VA, the Department of Defense, and members of Congress to present our legislative priority for 2010: reforming the VA's archaic disability claims system. Right now, some wounded warriors are waiting up to two years for disability benefits - that is unacceptable. Click here to contribute towards the trip - $5 can pay for transportation between meetings, and with $10, you can pay for one of their meals. Two years ago, this trip was focused on getting a new G.I. Bill. And that passed. Last year, we focused on securing advance funding for the VA. Now, that's a reality as well. Click here to make a donation towards Storm the Hill, and help write this year's success story. The men and women going to Storm the Hill aren't lobbyists or politicians. They're members of our nation's newest generation of heroes, and along with veterans across the country, they're counting on you to help us win this fight. Thank you for standing with us. Sincerely, Paul Paul Rieckhoff Executive Director & Founder Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

Martin Luther King Jr. speaking for Vietnam Veterans

This very brief excerpt is from a speech given on 4 April 1967 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King Jr. He courageously spoke out against the wisdom of the Vietnam war. In support of the troops and the people on both sides but asking the government to reconsider the destructive actions they were forcing these men and women to take.

"I am as deeply concerned about our own troops there as anything else. For it occurs to me that what we are submitting them to in Vietnam is not simply the brutalizing process that goes on in any war where armies face each other and seek to destroy. We are adding cynicism to the process of death, for they must know after a short period there that none of the things we claim to be fighting for are really involved."

The rest of that speech can be found here...

A healing process was given momentum at the moment he spoke those words. Due to his popularity, it brought about an awareness. It also voiced an unpopular viewpoint. One shared by many but voiced by few. Remember, people were still being jailed for this kind of dissidence. But as he said when quoting the opening lines from the aims of an organization called 'Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam.'

" "A time comes when silence is betrayal." And that time has come for us in relation to Vietnam."

His influence can certainly be seen in the difference of the public opinion towards returning veterans today. The soldiers of the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan have experienced a much different welcoming home than those from Vietnam.

The awareness of PTSD is also higher, it can be found on any nightly news channel, just about any night. So the time is ripe for getting this information into the hands of the people who need it the most. The veterans, family and friends of veterans. The suicide rate is off the charts and growing for the returning combat soldiers.

These new healing techniques may look wacky and you might wonder how they can possibly help, but traditional therapies just aren't working for enough veterans, fast enough. VA hospitals are overrun and underfunded. The advantage of many of these techniques is that they can be done at home, with books, tapes, on the phone or with a local practitioner. I encourage you to go thru these posts and find something that might work for you or someone you love!

So I'll leave you with...

"And if we will only make the right choice, we will be able to transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of peace.

If we will make the right choice, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our world into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood."

"If they have served than they deserve service."

Happy Holidays Veterans!!!

If you're in the Boulder area, here is a generous offer from Dr. Ian Hollaman, at Red Tail Wellness Centers. He wants to give back to those who are giving to us. Dr. Ian is a board-certified chiropractor and licensed as a primary healthcare physician in the state of Colorado. And here is his what he is offering FOR FREE, to veterans and service people...

"My offer is a brief consultation, adjustment and 15 minute massage. I hope this can make their holidays a bit brighter."

Who needs body work by a competent chiropractor? Almost everybody. If you have: just returned from a tour or haven't been, PTSD or not, brain trauma or not, maybe only finished bootcamp, then you're a good candidate. Here's Dr. Ian's web site for more information on his practice... redtailwellness

Take advantage of this wonderful present, like Christmas cookies, it may not last long! And thank you to Dr. Ian for this generous gift.

TAT for healing combat trauma and PTSD

I was just browsing thru some favorite energy techniques tonight and came across this you tube video of a Vietnam Vet, who survived a helicopter crash. He is talking about how well TAT, (developed by Tapas Fleming) worked for him in dissolving that trauma. Like Gary Craig, Tapas has made her work available to the public free of charge. You can download the manual for free, then find a practitioner in your area to work with. This is another technique that works well over the phone, if you're in a remote area or prefer working at home.

Here's the video...

And here is the web site....
www.tatlife.com

I'd love to hear your comments if you have any success with this.

Ask a Veteran about EFT's value

This just in from the EFT free newsletter, a VERY good source of information and stories from people who have used Emotional Freedom Technique successfully in their own lives.

Ask a Veteran about EFT's value:
Debi Stanley is a Veteran who experienced EFT in a specialized workshop for Vets in San Francisco over a year and a half ago. She is willing to correspond with you about her experience. She says, "Before EFT in San Francisco, I had been suffering from depression for over 20 years and took every med in the books. I also had severe nightmares once or twice per week that would cause me to scream in the middle of the night. After EFT, I am off the meds and have had neither depression nor nightmares since. EFT saved my life."

Pretty powerful testimonial to the effectiveness of this work. It's especially good when you can work with a practitioner and there are several people out there who specialize in working with veterans, from all wars. Many EFT practitioners are easily able to work over the phone, if you are in a remote area. When you can't work with a practitioner, which I highly recommend, there are alternatives. From e-books, click here, to audio files and CD's.

Here's the link for the newsletter, you can sign up and probably get to this issue. If not drop me a line and I'll send it to you. newslettersign-up

No more rationed care for veterans, thank you IAVA

Dear readers,

If you signed and helped pass this legislation, you've probably received your own letter from IAVA and Paul. If not, the good news is THEY DID IT! These guys are really on the ball, they passed this new GI Bill, by tapping into the Veterans community on and off line. My hat is off to them and I strongly recommend you get on their e-mail list, so you can help them support all veterans, combat and non-combat, male and female, from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan. Here's the letter they sent explaining more about that recent GI Bill...

Dear Lisa,

I'm writing from Washington, DC, and I have some big news.

The President just signed IAVA's number one legislative priority for the year into law- advance funding for VA healthcare. And it's all because of your support.

Click here to watch a quick video update I recorded at the White House before the signing ceremony, and find out how you played a huge role in today's victory.

The new law requires Congress to pass the VA healthcare budget one year in advance. It means no more rationed care for veterans- regardless of what year it is, or what party is in power. Period.

This is what we've been fighting for since January- and it's a huge win for veterans of all generations.

For the past ten months, you've played a crucial role in this historic process by calling Congress, forwarding emails, making donations, and recruiting others to join the fight. Click here to see how you contributed to this historic victory.

Last year, IAVA made passing a new GI Bill our number one priority. And because of you, we got it done. This year, we chose a new goal, and again, we got it done. You stepped up to the plate, and ensured that the VA will always have a budget that passes on time.

Click here to see how we won this fight together.

Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Paul

Paul Rieckhoff
Executive Director & Founder
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

A tip for vets and first time home buying.

Well here's something I didn't know. It might be news to you vets as well. Looks like you don't have much time to take advantage of it, but if you are in the market or ready to buy a new home, this might save you some money. I hope it will work for you!

Dear Vet's,

Have you been thinking about buying a home or refinancing your current home loan? Did you know that you can still take advantage of the First Time Homebuyer Tax credit or $8,000 (must close by November 30, 2009) if you purchase your first home, (a first home is considered if you have not owned a home for the past three years), using your VA entitlement which requires NO DOWN PAYMENT money? Did you know that the current 30 year fixed rate is 5% with NO PRE PAYMENT PENALTIES?

Enough with all these questions. One fact to remind you of is if you HAVE used your eligibility to purchase a home using your VA entitlement, you do have the option of using your entitlement again. In fact there are no limits as to how many times you use your entitlement, as long as you pay off your current VA home loan prior to buying your next home.

To find out more detailed information please email or visit my website at:

mfriedman@pmglending.com

or

www.pmglending.com/mfriedman

Your VA home loan specialist.

Mitch Friedman

720-434-4784

America's Heros at Work

Ok folks, for all you employers out there, here is a chance to fill out your ranks, help your community, while you are providing meaningful employment to a deserving veteran. This can help you add to your work force at the same time giving a veteran a means of providing for his or her family, (now that he or she has provided for our country.) It's a win-win situation and I highly recommend you to look into it if you are in need of skilled labor!

Hands-On Employment Pilot matches employers and veterans with TBI and/or PTSD
AmericasHeroesAtWork.gov

America's Heroes at Work has embarked on a new hands-on endeavor - an Employment Pilot designed to coordinate successful employment experiences for veterans with TBI and/or PTSD, while studying individual experiences. DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is managing this "learning lab" concept with support from workforce development professionals and a steering committee comprised of representatives from key federal partners. Through the Pilot, DOL will study, validate and disseminate best practices related to helping employees with TBI and/or PTSD succeed on the job. The initial phase of the Pilot will concentrate on employers and veterans located in the Greater Washington, D.C. area, all of whom will benefit from hands-on support. Workforce development professionals on the team will consult with organizations interested in employing veterans with TBI/PTSD, match them with qualified veteran workers, provide ongoing support; and monitor experiences and track best practices. For more information, visit the America's Heroes at Work Web site <http://www.americasheroesatwork.gov/employpilot.html> .

Hey folks,

this is REALLY important so pay attention . Take 5-10 minutes to read the links and call your senator. I just did it, it takes literally 4-5 minutes to call. Paul from IAVA has provided a call back number, so all you do is plug in your zip code and they take care of the rest. You are connected with your senators office, you can let them know about how you feel about them not getting this vote passed in time for VA hospital funding. thanks for helping to take care of the men and women who are taking care of us!!

Dear Veteran supporter,

This could be one of the most important phone calls you make this year.

Last week, the Senate failed to pass the VA budget, and six million veterans who rely on the VA for healthcare are paying the price. All passing the budget takes is one vote - the Senate just hasn't gotten around to it.

Now, VA hospitals and clinics nationwide can't plan for critical staffing and equipment needs, leading to longer waits for appointments, and rationed care. This is completely unacceptable.

Take action by calling your Senators now. Tell them to pass the VA budget, so that veterans get the care they deserve. Click here to place your call - our online tool makes it easy.

The VA budget has been late an astounding 20 times in the last 23 years. And every year we've had to fight to get it passed. But your phone call could change that forever. This year's budget includes a provision that will fund the VA a full year in advance. Advance funding the VA is IAVA's top legislative goal for 2009, and it means veterans' healthcare will never be rationed again.

So please place a call to your Senators now and make sure that the VA is fully funded this year, and for years to come.

The only budget that Congress passed on time last week is the one that pays their salaries. Veterans shouldn't have to wait while Congress gets paid. Help us change that today.

Thank you for making your voice heard.

Sincerely,

Paul

Paul Rieckhoff
Executive Director & Founder
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

STRESS PROJECT.ORG

Here's a link to a list from the Iraq Vets Stress web site of

"VA Therapists offering Energy Psychology:

There are a number of therapists who work at Vets Centers, VA hospitals, military hospitals, or VA counseling centers, who are trained in Energy Psychology. Please note that some of these therapists work by phone as well as in person. This is a partial list. Please email us if you have additional names of such resources."

http://www.stressproject.org/vatherapists.html

The mere fact that VA hospitals are using these approaches is really exciting and goes a long way toward giving legitimacy for these 'new' therapies. The are using them because they are getting results.

Also if you feel you don't have the finances to fund this kind of therapy...

Multi City Iraq Vets PTSD Program:

If you're a combat veteran, you may qualify for get six FREE and completely confidential sessions of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) coaching.

Several cities have therapists or life coaches offering EFT, and help is also available by phone. You fill in four quick one-page forms to determine if you're eligible for this fast and effective program. To see a 19 minute video of Vietnam and Iraq veterans speaking about their experiences click here. (please be aware that watching this video frequently brings up intense emotions).

To find a coach near you, please contact study coordinator Crystal Hawk. You will then be directed to the nearest coach who will send you forms to fill out to determine if you're eligible for this coaching. There are coaches in many cities, and many coaches work by telephone, so help is readily available.

Crystal Hawk, MEd
Phone 416-922-4325
Email Crystal

During Healthcare Speech, Obama Seeks To Reassure Those Insured Through VA

Veterans will be relieved to hear that they won't have to change plans. Hopefully things will even improve with the new reforms!

[AP]
During a tense health care speech before a joint-session of Congress late Wednesday, President Barack Obama sought to reassure veterans that his health care reform proposal will not adversely affect veterans who rely on VA care. "Those who now are getting employer-provided coverage or are insured through Medicare, Medicaid or the Veterans Administration would not be required to change their plans or their physicians," he said.

EFT on OPRAH?!!

lets hope so!
She is doing a special on ptsd and returning vets. Here's a great way to help a BIG population by going on the show and telling your story veterans. Here are some details...

PTSD: Suicide and Homicide in the Armed Forces
The Oprah Show will be investigating:
1) The high number of Soldiers being diagnosed with Combat-Related PTS...
2) The Skyrocketing Suicide Rate of Soldiers...
3) The Dramatic Increase of Domestic Abuse and Homicide by Soldiers once they return to the US.
Have you personally experienced a Suicide, Homicide or Physical Abuse caused by Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress? Are you fearful your loved one may have Combat-Related PTS? Do any of the statements below sound like something your spouse, parent, child, or friend might say or feel?
*I don't care about going to therapy anymore.
*Nothing is working out for me. I am never going to get better.
*No one cares about me or what I do. Whats the point of going on?
*Everyone is getting on my nerves lately.
*I just do not feel happy, even when I am around people that I know I love, so I have been isolating myself.
*I am beginning to feel really jumpy and on edge.
*My mood keeps changing rapidly. In minutes, I can go from feeling really happy to really down or terrified.
*I just do not have the energy to take care of myself in the morning. I have not showered for days.
*I've been drinking more, but just to take the edge off of my feelings a little.
Please share your story -- or someone you know -- below. We want to help. Thank you for serving our country.

Welcome to Healing Now!

am forwarding this from Ingrid...
here is the link for more information...http://NewEFT4Vets.com

Welcome to Healing Now!

www.eftcoach.us
www.eft4vets.com

June 7th 2009

EFT4Vets 2 day workshop In Concord, NH (30" from Manchester airport)
June 27-28 2009 more info about EFT4Vets

Please forward this email to whoever might be interested in advanced EFT and helping Veterans and their families heal from the trauma of war. Thank You!

Hi Everyone,
as many of you know, I was invited to speak about EFT4Vets at the recent ACEP Conference (www.energypsych.org) in Orlando Florida. I also presented the first results of the first randomized research study "EFT for Combat Veterans" (http://www.stressproject.org, http://www.eft4vets.com).

The results are very promising.

Both presentations were very well received and resulted in wonderful new connections and support for EFT4Vets.

It was an exciting weekend (especially the last 15 minutes before the presentation, where I felt I had to completely redo my PPT...:-), and the night before, when my printer broke and I stayed up until 3:30am to learn how to use the new one and print out some worksheets...

There is so much to speak about, teach, demonstrate and practice with EFT4Vets. This work has truly become a spiritual journey, not just as an EFT coach, but as a Minister as well. I embrace all the lessons learned and am very grateful for my Veterans and the many wonderful teachers who have been sharing with me many of the insights that allow for me to do my work this way.

So in less than 3 weeks, on June 27th-28th 2009, I will be teaching the full EFT4Vets program with a new and expanded curriculum at the Holiday Inn in Concord, NH. I very much hope you can join us!

Even if you are not interested in working specifically with Veterans, the advanced methods that will be taught will enhance your skill level as an EFT practitioner greatly.

Here are some testimonials from the presentation:

"I so thoroughly enjoyed your breakour session and I loved your passion. There is so much to learn and do!" T.
" I loved meeting you in person! You are great, and so is your mission. I know we will interface in our lives." R.

EFT4Vets workshop
When: Sat-Sun, June 27th-28th 2009
Time: 9:00am-5:00pm
Where: Holiday Inn, 172 N.Main St., Concord, NH 03301 (30 min. from Manchester/Boston airport)
Cost: $275.- ($245.- when sign up before June 20th)
An wonderful, inexpensive Lunch buffet will be available

In this EFT4Vets 2 day workshop, attendees will learn how to use Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) skillfully and successfully with returning Veterans and their families.

EFT has been showing very convincing, positive and lasting results even for the release of severe combat trauma. Read the Research results! Watch the EFT for Combat Veterans video on the home page for a demonstration!

But helping Veterans and their families heal from the trauma of war often requires much more than just an effective tool to releasing past trauma. To truly understand how we can help a Soldier heal, we need to know more about the archetypal "warrior" and the spiritual and historical meaning of war as a rite of passage and initiation. We need to understand the specific circumstances of different wars, and the meaning behind the stories that the Veterans might only want to touch on. The Veterans Community is in many ways very different from "the outside world", and having insights about the unique needs and background can make all the difference for a healing.

Some of the topics that will be covered in this seminar are:
- Several hours of demonstration and practice
- Research and discussion about the situation of returning Veterans
- The archetype of the "Warrior"
- War as a rite of passage and initiation
- Establishing Trust and Rapport
- Introducing EFT concepts to Veterans
- How to begin with EFT
- Discussion of specific issues that need to be addressed
- Insights into war specific trauma
- Practice of different gentle EFT approaches, including making the right choices
- Reframing of traumatic memories
- Spiritual discussion of forgiveness
- Childhood issues in the context of war
- Discussion of issues that often occur together
- Proper goal setting for a session
- The legal and ethical boundaries of this work for licensed/non-licensed practitioners
- Insights into the situation of the military families
- Helping family members heal with EFT
- Outlook into the Future of EFT4Vets and support for returning Veterans and their families

A certificate of completion will be given at the end.
Please contact me with any questions you may have!

Hope to see you on the 27th!
Love
Ingrid

Please forward this email to whoever might be interested in advanced EFT and helping Veterans and their families heal from the trauma of war. Thank You!
http://eftcoach.us/NewEFT4Vetsdescription.html

Here is some news from the EFT Community ...

A dedicated group of EFT'ers is voluntarily helping our war veterans. To date, 131 vets have enrolled in the project. A big thank you to Dawson Church, Crystal Hawk and the 64 EFT volunteers (many can do it by phone). The project is open to all vets who have served in the American Military (including nurses). Details

If you know someone who needs help but doesn't have the financial resources to get it, or simply doesn't know where to go, is tired of a run around, hasn't got the energy for the paperwork, then encourage them to get in touch with these folks. It's a great way to start feeling normal again!

successful use of EFT with an Iraq Veteran after 3 tours in Iraq

Wondering if you or someone you love can ever get over those feelings of nightmares, flashbacks, chronic insomnia, irritable/angry, anxiety, hypervigilant, avoiding crowds?

Here is a real case of successful treatment in the hands of a competent therapist using EFT. This method DOES work, it's fast, it's easy and it's effective! It's drug free, it's inexpensive. And it's so exciting to see this kind of progress... someone who can with help, go from traumatized to calm, anxious to smiling, avoiding eye contact to making eye contact. Thank you to Gary Craig for developing EFT and to Sue Hannibal for sharing this story of your work with an Army Sergeant

By Sue Hannibal

Session one: Joshua 1/27/09

History: Army Sgt. age 27, 10 years in, male, three tours in Iraq - first tour 2003: 18 months, second tour 12 months, 2005-6, third tour 9 months, 2007-08 at which point he was MEDEVACed out for PTSD. He was sent to Landstuhl Army Medical Center in Germany for one week, then to Ft. Bragg, N.C. At Bragg he was given various drugs including anti-psychotics and anti-depressants, none of which helped. He’s not on any drugs at this date. He went to Army therapy for a year, most of which he described as "visualize about what happened and put a positive ending on it," which didn’t help. Symptoms he described: nightmares, flashbacks of three or four specific scenes, chronic insomnia, irritable/angry, anxiety/can't relax, hypervigilant, avoids crowds. At this date he is non-deployable and is on medical board list to be separated from the Army due to PTSD. He wants to heal and might stay in the Army.

Summary:

Joshua was referred by an Army doctor at Ft. Bragg. Two standard PTSD scales were administered prior to our first 90-minute session on Tues. Jan 27^th. PCL-M score 54, SA-45 score 99. The day after our session, Wednesday morning, he reported to the doctor and to me that he slept all night Tuesday without awakening and free of nightmares for the first time in over one year.

He came back for session two, three days later, on Friday... In the second session, we only did one round of tapping on a perception of never feeling safe in Iraq, but all other issues were already a zero. During treatment we addressed, in an indirect, non-retraumatizing way using the EFT Movie Technique, the worst memory of his entire time in Iraq, which occurred during the first tour - an ambush and fierce firefight where three soldiers were killed by RPGs in an unarmored humvee. His affect was nervous, subdued voice, shoulders forward, eyes down, fighting back tears and couldn't maintain eye contact with me.

His job was convoy security which was once a day seven days a week. He estimated the convoy was attacked four or five times per week, ranging from a spray of AK-47 bullets by an insurgent to IEDs (roadside bombs) to RPGs, (rock-propelled grenades) to full on ambushes. The first time he was in an IED attack, the humvee flipped over and he was thrown out of the back, lost his weapon and he had only his 9 mm handgun.

About 45 minutes into the session, we took a break. He reported that the charge on the ambush flashback/memory he titled "HELL" ("if that event was a movie, what would be the title?") was down to about a 4 or 5 from a 10+ on an intensity scale of 0 to 10. We continued treatment, his affect became more animated, he relaxed into the chair, smiled, eye contact began. At the end, when I asked what number on the 1 to 10 scale that HELL memory was now, he shrugged his shoulders, moved his head from side to side said, "I don't know, I feel really calm about it now, I think it's gone. I can remember what happened but I don't feel anything bad about it."

thanks to army.mil for the photo

More exciting news from IAVA and President Obama

Thank you Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA for your hard work on moving the DOD and VA into the computer age and toward a cooperative effort that will benefit us ALL! This new seamless sharing of information and records will: help vets, increase quality of care, decrease waiting time, slash spending and eliminate the waste of unnessasary re-tests and misdiagnosis. Here's more explaination from Mr. Rieckhoff...

"Right now, there is no easy process for transferring service members' medical records from the DOD to the VA when they leave active duty. As a result, some of our most seriously wounded troops are suffering through redundant tests, misdiagnoses, and delayed treatment. This initiative will make medical and military records electronic and transferable, meaning a more streamlined, less bureaucratic process for our injured troops.

But this isn't just a matter of eliminating red tape. This change impacts the health, and lives, of the men and women who have served our country."

Today, IAVA and the nation's leading Veterans Services Organizations stood with President Obama, Secretary Gates and Secretary Shinseki at the White House to renew the nation's commitment to our newest generation of heroes.

Fulfilling two of his campaign promises, President Obama announced his support for advance funding the VA and ensuring a seamless transition between the VA and DOD healthcare, which will have a huge impact on the lives of troops and veterans.

Can you take a minute to join IAVA in thanking President Obama, Secretary Gates and Secretary Shinseki for making veterans and their families a priority? This is an important first step to giving our veterans the health care and benefits they've earned.

Click here to watch a quick video and add your name! http://www2.iava.org/o/436/t/8492/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1906

This just in from Paul Rieckoff at IAVA!

"Second, on what has proven to be a huge day for veterans, there has been another major development in Washington, DC. President Obama listened to IAVA and the other major veterans organizations, and made a critical decision to not move forward with a proposal to bill a veteran's private insurance for the cost of caring for a service-connected injury."

You can read his entire post on his blog at http://iava.org/blog

The Treatment of Combat Trauma in Veterans Using EFT

by Dawson Church

The Treatment of Combat Trauma in Veterans using EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques): A Pilot Protocol. Traumatology, March

With a large number of US military service personnel coming back from Iraq with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a variety of associated psychological problems, a need exists to find protocols and treatments that are effective for these conditions in brief treatment time frames. In this study, a sample of 11 veterans and family members were assessed for PTSD and other conditions. Evaluations were made using standard psychological evaluations, the SA-45 (Symptom Assessment 45) and the PCL-M (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – Military). The study used a time-series, within-subjects, repeated measures design. A baseline measurement was obtained thirty days prior to treatment, and immediately before treatment began. Subjects were then treated with a brief and novel exposure therapy, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), for five days with 2 to 3 hours of treatment per day. Statistically significant improvements in the SA-45 and PCL-M scores were found at post-test. These gains were maintained at both the 30- and 90-day follow-ups on the general symptom index, positive symptom total and the anxiety, somatization, phobic anxiety, and interpersonal sensitivity subscales of the SA-45, and on PTSD. The remaining SA-45 scales improved post test but were not consistently maintained at the 30- and 90-day follow-ups. In summary, after EFT treatment, the group no longer scored positive for PTSD, the severity and breadth of their psychological distress decreased significantly, and most of their gains held over time. This suggests that EFT can be an effective post-deployment intervention.

Eternal love, Eternal Life

Eternal love, Eternal Life
Originally uploaded by moemoechi

Most of us learned as barely more than infants that it is evil to kill. "Thou Shalt Not Kill." Not only is it traumatizing to constantly witness horror upon horror, but in combat soldiers are forced to do that which we are taught as children is evil.

Somehow that conflict has to be resolved. People cannot possibly live in any comfort until they have relieved the awful conflict and guilt. It is absurd to expect men and women to come home from combat and simply return to their former lives. It doesn't happen without a lot of help and a lot of work.