The Center for Mind-Body Medicine’s Global Trauma Relief Team, led by James S. Gordon, M.D., is now in Haiti teaching health care professional how to heal a population traumatized by a devastating earthquake, poverty, and ongoing political turmoil.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 22, 2012
CMBM’s five-day training program is an important component of Haiti’s national plan to address population-wide stress and community trauma that has ensued following the powerful earthquake that shattered much of Haiti’s housing and infrastructure in 2010. The trauma of the event is magnified by Haiti’s rampant poverty and persistent political turmoil.
Haitian healthcare providers, education professionals and community leaders are learning CMBM’s small group approach, which integrates aspects of mind-body medicine (meditation, guided imagery, biofeedback, yoga) with self-expression (in words, drawing and movement).
The Center for Mind-Body Medicine’s Global Trauma Relief Team, led by James S. Gordon, M.D., is now in Haiti teaching health care professional how to heal a population traumatized by a devastating earthquake, poverty, and ongoing political turmoil.
The Jacmel program builds on CMBM’s previous success the region. In 2010, CMBM trained 120 clinicians and developed a 15-member local leadership team in Port-au-Prince.
“We all believe that with the problems that we are encountering, each and every one of us should do something that will allow us to be in harmony with ourselves...and with others,” said Bishop Andre Dumas of the success of CMBM’s approach in Haiti. “This is why this experience is for everyone.”
Since 1996, CMBM’s Global Trauma Relief program, lead by its founder and director James S. Gordon, M.D., has traveled the world to help relieve widespread trauma resulting from wars and disasters.
“Our work in Global Trauma Relief reaches hundreds of thousands who have been traumatized by war and natural disasters,” said Dr. Gordon. “I am especially proud to work with the people of Haiti in rebuilding their lives and restoring hope for the future."
Dr. Gordon, a Harvard-educated psychiatrist, is a world-renowned expert in using mind-body medicine to heal depression, anxiety, and psychological trauma. His most recent book is titled Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven Stage Journey Out of Depression (Penguin Press).
A recent study, published in the International Journal of Stress Management, indicates that a CMBM Mind-Body Skills Group was effective in reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and feelings of hopelessness in war-traumatized Palestinian children and adolescents by 80%.
In spite of ongoing conflict and severe economic hardship, these healthy gains were largely maintained at a seven-month follow-up.
Following the training in Jacmel, Dr. Gordon’s schedule includes:
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Leading a workshop with FOKAL (Foundation for Knowledge & Liberty) in Port-au-Prince on February 28th from 9 am to 12 pm.
- Meeting with group participants to hear about how the program has helped improve their lives on February 28th at 2 pm.
- Visiting the Downtown Port-au-Prince public school experiencing high levels of trauma and violence among its student population on February 29th at 8 am. (CMBM is currently running groups with these children.)
- Making home visits in Delmas to group participants during the afternoon of February 29th.
For more information about the relief efforts in Haiti or any of The Center for Mind-Body Medicine’s services or courses, please call (602) 501-1851 or go to http://www.cmbm.org.
About the Center for Mind-Body Medicine
The Center for Mind-Body Medicine is a 501(c)(3) organization that teaches health care professionals around the world scientifically-validated mind-body medicine techniques that enhance each person’s capacity for self-awareness and self-care. The organization teaches thousands to heal millions.
Centered on the concept of self-care, the Center’s works combines modern science, wise tradition, and human connection to create a powerful new medicine. Everyone has a great and largely untapped capacity to improve their own health and well-being through mind-body approaches (such as meditation, guided imagery and biofeedback), self-expression (such as drawing and movement), nutrition, exercise and group support.
The Center for Mind-Body Medicine offers four training programs: Mind-Body Medicine, CancerGuides®, Food as Medicine, and Global Trauma Relief.
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Cynthia Phillips
The Center for Mind-Body Medicine
(602) 501-1851
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