PTSD Professional Perspective: PTSD What a nightmare, Part 3

We read so many bad, sad stories about survivors struggling, giving up and giving in. What I like about Bob’s story is that he is a survivor taking matters into his own hands and creating ways for others to do the same. This post is the last of a 3 part series. You can read part 1 in our Survivors Speak section and part 2 here in our Professional Perspective section.

PTSD What A Nightmare

Post course, the palliative care aspect for the client incorporates the new networks that have been established with other clients as well as the Practitioners. A high proportion of the clients come back to train in our system or go on to achieve fantastic results in their own lives.

We have been asked if the changes are permanent.  Our answer is yes, with the following caveat:  Based on our research, it is quite possible for a client to be retraumatised should they reimmerse themselves in a hostile environment or endure a further traumatic event, although to date this has not been the case.  We have clients that are still serving in the military and still work in hostile environments. Not one has come back to us retraumatised. Once the client has been through the course they are able to make sense of what situations they become involved with.

As for my journey through this process I have managed to work for several years in African War Zones and Iraq for over 5 years whilst still suffering from PTSD. During the latter stages of my employment in Iraq and after having treatment some 3 years ago, I have found it easy to fully comprehend the hostilities in which I have subsequently experienced without further negative reaction. Looking at the numbers that are coming to talking2minds that have been through the myriad of therapies available without any degree of long term success, the talking2minds Synergy system speaks for itself. The clients leave us having rewired them and become active and productive members of the community.

We now statistically analyse all our client outcomes which are externally validated to ensure the efficacy of our programme by using recognised instruments and recognised scientific methods that tell us that the client is getting well along with the client’s feedback telling us that they are getting well. Talking2minds has its own governing body that has teeth and we have strict rules and regulations to ensure that the brand is not watered down or taken advantage of at the detriment of the client.

By running a ‘Veterans helping Veterans’ or ‘like helping like’ approach, it assists us to build that extra little bit of rapport with the client or the client’s family member that may be suffering by proxy.   By allowing veterans, and others that have suffered, either directly with a severe stress related disorder or by proxy, to train in our system and operate under our umbrella, we are expanding exponentially each time a course is run. We regulate the quality of Practitioner as all therapeutic programmes are run by a validated trainer who oversees Master Practitioners and Practitioners alike.

Talking2minds is on the verge of great things, we now have over 600 clients and hope to secure funding to take this to the next level.  The Americans have taken the issue very seriously with some $15 billion dollars being dedicated to the problem. In the UK I am afraid that things are not quite as rosy. The problem is being left to a small number of charities and a struggling NHS system all of which offer the classic therapeutic treatments.

We are now fundraising to open our HQ centre in Lydney UK and develop funding streams that will allow us to treat thousands of clients per year in a cost effective manner.   If you want to support us please visit http://www.talking2minds.co.uk/  for more information about how to donate.  If you want to find out more about the treatment or have a question to ask for yourself or for a loved one then please contact us via the above site.

Bob is the Founder of Talking2Minds and has spent the last 2 years studying and developing the Talking2Minds product and ethos in order to provide the correct help and support for those that need it. He is a former Royal Engineers and B Sqn SAS who has served in many hostile environments worldwide, both as a serving member of the armed forces and as a private security management professional. He has spent over 20 years in hostile and high pressure environments. Bob is currently studying for the Synergy Trainers qualification in order to further the Talking2Minds intervention research and development programme.

For more information on NLP and veteran support groups:

http://www.quantumnlp.com/
http://www.veteransinprisonassociation.co.uk/
http://www.onecommoncause.co.uk/

The opinions in this post are solely those of the author. To contribute to ‘Professional Perspective’ contact Michele.

Tags: military, ptsd, talking2minds, veterans