Posts Tagged ‘memory’

CKLN-FM Mind Control Series, How our brains work to erase bad memories

CKLN-FM Mind Control Series – Table of Contents 
includes:
- Mind Control Survivors’ Testimony at the Human Radiation Experiments Hearings
- Interview with Valerie Wolf, Claudia Mullen and Chris deNicola Ebner
- Lecture by Dr. Alan Scheflin – History of Mind Control
- Claudia Mullen – Presentation to the Believe the Children Conference, Interview
- Lecture by Therapist Valerie Wolf, M.S.W.: Assessment and Treatment of Survivors of Sadistic Abuse
- Interview with Valerie Wolf, M.S.W., therapist to trauma and mind control survivors
- Interview with Dr. Stephen Kent, sociologist at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, on Cults and Ritual Abuse
- Making up for Lost Time Conference, Thunder Bay – Lynne Moss-Sharman Interview – ACHES-MC contact, ritual abuse victim
- Presentation by Professor Alan Scheflin – Risk Management in Dissociative Disorder and Trauma Therapy
- Ritual Abuse Panel — Toronto psychotherapist Gail Fisher-Taylor and Caryn Stardancer, California-based advocate for survivors and publisher of “Survivorship”.
http://www.randomcollection.info/mcf/radio/ckln-hm.htm

How our brains work to erase bad memories – Got a bad memory? The brain has a unique way of helping you forget. By Meghan Holohan  October 19, 2012

….Researchers found that we use two different ways — suppression or substitution — to avoid thinking of uncomfortable or unhappy memories.

“We assume that, in everyday life, healthy people will use a mixture of both mechanisms to prevent an unwanted memory from coming to mind,” says Roland Benoit, a scientist at the Medical Research Council, Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at University of Cambridge, via email. “We did not know whether the processes of direct suppression and thought substitution can be isolated, and which, if any of them, would actually cause forgetting.”

Roland and his co-author, Michael Anderson, asked 36 adults to participate in a memory exercise where half suppressed memories and the other half substituted new memories. The researchers hoped to understand how we voluntarily forget and how it affects general memory. The subjects were tested during magnetic resonance imaging procedures, or MRIs, allowing the researchers to observe how the brain works during suppression and substitution.

While both processes cause forgetting, a different region of the brain controls each one. When people suppress memories, the dorsal prefrontal cortex inhibits activation in the hippocampus, which plays an important role in retaining memories.

“It thus effectively breaks the remembering process. This, in turn, disrupts the memory representations that would be necessary for recalling the unwanted memory later on,” Benoit explains….

“By just looking at how well people forgot memories, you couldn’t tell whether they had done direct suppression or thought substitution,” Benoit says. “These mechanisms are based on different brain systems that work in opposite fashion: One (direct suppression) by ‘slamming the mental break’ to stop the remembering process and the other (thought substitution) by steering the remembering process towards a substitute memory.”

Even though people exploit both to forget those nagging, unwanted memories, actively overlooking unpleasant events can negatively impact how we remember. But Benoit notes that learning how people deal with unwanted memories helps them understand how people with traumatic memories, such as PTSD sufferers, cope with remembering.

“It is perfectly natural for people, upon encountering an unwelcome reminder, to try to put the unpleasant reminding out of mind. We all have experienced this.  Intuitively, it feels as though we solved this problem.”
http://bodyodd.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/19/14540990-how-our-brains-work-to-erase-bad-memories

Lawyer doesn’t remember stealing paintings – Dissociative Amnesia

Lawyer doesn’t remember stealing paintings Thu Aug 16, 2012

Michael Gerard Sullivan, 54, has pleaded guilty to stealing two paintings from the Katoomba Fine Art Gallery in December 2008….CCTV vision clearly shows Mr Sullivan stealing two James Willebrant paintings between courses.

During his court case Mr Sullivan’s lawyers tendered two psychiatric reports which concluded he had dissociative amnesia and his actions were totally out of character.

The court heard the disorder caused him to take on the identity of an art thief and not remember his actions

Judge Jennifer English accepted the diagnosis, saying Mr Sullivan had previously lived an exemplary life.

She did not record a conviction.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-16/lawyer-does-not-remember-stealing-paintings/4202708

The Lawyer Who Forgot He Was a Thief
August 16, 2012 By Joe Palazzolo

Michael Gerard Sullivan, a lawyer in Sydney, Australia, was dining one night in 2008 at an art gallery restaurant when, according to the security cameras that recorded him, he excused himself between courses and stole two paintings worth $14,500.

Mr. Sullivan, who previously worked at some of the country’s top firms – including Freehills, Gadens and Mallesons (now King & Wood Mallesons after a big merger earlier this year) – pleaded guilty, with one caveat: He said he didn’t remember committing the crime….

The psychiatrists said Mr. Sullivan, who faced up to seven years in jail, was playing the character of an art thief. Australia’s ABC News reported Thursday that Judge English accepted Mr. Sullivan’s defense.

Judge English dismissed the charges but placed Mr. Sullivan on a two-year good behavior bond, saying he had lived an otherwise exemplary life, according to the ABC report.

The Cleveland Clinic, by the way, describes dissociative amnesia thus:

Dissociative amnesia occurs when a person blocks out certain information, usually associated with a stressful or traumatic event, leaving him or her unable to remember important personal information. With this disorder, the degree of memory loss goes beyond normal forgetfulness and includes gaps in memory for long periods of time or of memories involving the traumatic event.
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2012/08/16/the-lawyer-who-forgot-he-was-a-thief/

Dissociative Amnesia
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/dissociative_disorders/hic_dissociative_amnesia.aspx

Survivorship Webinar (for survivors and professionals): Saturday, December 17, 2011

Survivorship Webinar (for survivors and professionals): Saturday, December 17,  2011

Upcoming Webinar (for survivors and professionals):
Saturday, December 17, 2011
noon Pacific Time (2 hours)
Memory & Survivors

Presenter: Alikina
Most survivors have questions about their memory processes at some time: ‘is it true, did it happen?’ or ‘why can’t I remember?’, or even ‘why do I keep having intrusive memories?’  As we heal, we also become aware of times when our memories seem different than how we’ve been lead to believe ‘normal’ memory works.  We feel like we forget too much, or we have nearly perfect memories.  Often questions about memories of abuse are addressed in therapy, groups, books, etc; but questions about the everyday workings of memory, and how abuse may be affecting our brain function, stay unanswered.  This webinar will primarily focus on what current psychological science knows about basic memory processes, as well as issues unique to the survivor community, learning styles and how they affect memory, tricks to assist remembering, and plenty of Q & A time.

Alikina is a survivor of severe abuse and a current grad-school student halfway through her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling.  She has presented articles and webinars for Survivorship in the past.  She has worked with abuse survivors through community support organizations and been in therapy as both the client and the therapist, and plans to work with abuse and trauma survivors as her career path.

REGISTRATION
Registration closes the Thursday evening before the webinar

To reserve a space in the webinar, e-mail Shamai at shamai@survivorship.org   and give her this information:

1. Your name
2. The webinar you wish to attend
3. Amount and method of payment  (check, PayPal, money order)
4. Your preferred e-mail address (so we can send you instructions)
5. The name you will be using for the webinar. (This does not have to be your real name or your message board screen name.)

You will receive a confirmation email immediately and an invitation link and instructions after the registration closes

COST
Professional Webinars are $50 and include CEUs upon request.
All other webinars are on a sliding scale from $50.00 to full scholarship.
(While we offer full scholarships for webinars, it would be great if you would be willing to pay anything, even $5 rather than expect a full scholarship. While we understand that money can be difficult to find, please try to pay what you can to help cover the cost of the webinar provider).

The PayPal button is near the bottom of the page at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you wish to pay by check please send it to: Survivorship, Family Justice Center, 470 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94612.

PAST WEBINARS
Survivorship members may listen to past webinars (not professional) in the members’ section.
For information on joining Survivorship, go to http://www.survivorship.org/about/membership.html 

Complete details on all our webinars are at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Shamai@survivorship.org

Survivorship Ritual Abuse Professional Webinars

Survivorship is pleased to announce a new webinar series, in 2 parts, for professionals, for which you can request CEUs. (through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences which covers Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT); Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW); Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP); Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC); MFT Interns (IMF); Associate Clinical Social Workers (ASW); and Professional Clinical Counselor Interns (PCCI) in the State of California).

The dates are January 28th and March 31st, 2012
from noon to 3:00 PM pacific time.

All  speakers in our professional series  are trained professionals in the field with many years of experience both in the practical aspect of working with survivors of Ritual Abuse and Mind Control as well as having been speakers at professional conferences in the past.

Upcoming Professional Webinar:

Saturday, January 28 and March 31, 2012
noon Pacific Time (3 hours)
Sexual Ethics 101 + 102

(You can register for one or both. One is not exclusive of the other)

Presenter:
Staci Sprout, LICSW, CSAT, has 16 years of post-graduate experience as a psychotherapist and social worker in clinical practice, community mental health, hospitals, nursing homes, and public health.  For the last five years her practice has focused almost exclusively as an individual, group and couples therapist working with adults in recovery from sexual and related addictions.  She completed the HARE Psychopathy training in 2008 and has conducted forensic evaluations for adults accused of sexual crimes.  As a therapy client and addict herself with over 20 years of successful personal recovery, Staci brings a compassionate and direct approach to the complex topic of sexual ethics.

Sexual Ethics Series

This 2 part series is designed to raise awareness about key ethical sexual issues facing helping professionals today.  I offer practical tools to enhance your treatment of sexual issues, an ethical decision-making model, guidance on when to refer, consideration of ethnic and cultural issues, information about less obvious yet important sexual boundary issues in the helping relationship, and a case study presentation of sexual challenges in a clinical setting transforming and resolving over time.  Please note:  Sexual Ethics 102 builds on the information shared in Sexual Ethics 101, but can be taken without having already completed this class.

Sexual Ethics 101

CLIENT EMPOWERMENT:  Learn a practical, dynamic tool that includes a vision of sexual health to assists clients in discerning their sexual behavior and values, and then explore them more deeply over time.  This tool is called “The Four Pillars of Sexual Integrity”

ETHICAL CHOICES:  Learn a working model of ethical decision-making called “The Five Stars of Ethical Excellence” to assist in deliberation of even the most challenging ethical dilemmas

SCOPE OF PRACTICE ISSUES:  Receive clear guidance on when to refer to sexual specialists, including Certified Sex Therapists (CST), LGBTQ Specialists, and Certified Sexual Addictions Therapists (CSAT), and/or Sex Offender Treatment Providers (SOTP).

ETHICAL STATEMENT:  Receive a sample personal ethics statement, as a starting point for your practice or organization, that addresses sexual issues

Sexual Ethics 102:

CROSS ETHNIC/CROSS CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS:  As related to perspectives on love and sexual health

TALKING IN DETAILS:  Participate in an experiential exercise to further discern your own sexual values, sexual self-care, and support

SEXUAL BOUNDARIES FOR HELPING PROFESSIONALS:  How to maintain, what to say, related to keeping the relationship safe and non-sexual

TRAUMATIC REENACTMENTS:  Holding curiosity about what emerges over time with  sexual challenges in a safe therapy setting a case study

Upcoming Webinar (for survivors and professionals):
Saturday, December 17, 2011
noon Pacific Time (2 hours)
Memory & Survivors

Presenter: Alikina
Most survivors have questions about their memory processes at some time: ‘is it true, did it happen?’ or ‘why can’t I remember?’, or even ‘why do I keep having intrusive memories?’  As we heal, we also become aware of times when our memories seem different than how we’ve been lead to believe ‘normal’ memory works.  We feel like we forget too much, or we have nearly perfect memories.  Often questions about memories of abuse are addressed in therapy, groups, books, etc; but questions about the everyday workings of memory, and how abuse may be affecting our brain function, stay unanswered.  This webinar will primarily focus on what current psychological science knows about basic memory processes, as well as issues unique to the survivor community, learning styles and how they affect memory, tricks to assist remembering, and plenty of Q & A time.

Alikina is a survivor of severe abuse and a current grad-school student halfway through her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling.  She has presented articles and webinars for Survivorship in the past.  She has worked with abuse survivors through community support organizations and been in therapy as both the client and the therapist, and plans to work with abuse and trauma survivors as her career path.

REGISTRATION
Registration closes the Thursday evening before the webinar

To reserve a space in the webinar, e-mail Shamai at shamai@survivorship.org   and give her this information:

1. Your name
2. The webinar you wish to attend
3. Amount and method of payment  (check, PayPal, money order)
4. Your preferred e-mail address (so we can send you instructions)
5. The name you will be using for the webinar. (This does not have to be your real name or your message board screen name.)

You will receive a confirmation email immediately and an invitation link and instructions after the registration closes

COST

Professional Webinars are $50 and include CEUs upon request.
All other webinars are on a sliding scale from $50.00 to full scholarship.
(While we offer full scholarships for webinars, it would be great if you would be willing to pay anything, even $5 rather than expect a full scholarship. While we understand that money can be difficult to find, please try to pay what you can to help cover the cost of the webinar provider).

The PayPal button is near the bottom of the page at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you wish to pay by check please send it to: Survivorship, Family Justice Center, 470 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94612.

PAST WEBINARS

Survivorship members may listen to past webinars (not professional) in the members’ section.
For information on joining Survivorship, go to http://www.survivorship.org/about/membership.html

Complete details on all our webinars are at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Shamai@survivorship.org

Survivorship Ritual Abuse Webinar – Multiple’s Story of Hope & Healing

Survivorship Ritual Abuse Webinar – Multiple’s Story of Hope & Healing

REMINDER:
Upcoming Webinars:

Saturday, November 19
12 PM Pacific Time
deJoly LaBrier
“All Together Now, a Multiple’s Story of Hope & Healing”

deJoly LaBrier was born into a Marine Corps family that was involved in a child sex ring, government experimentation and a sadistic ritualistic cult. In 1988, deJoly began the healing journey toward wholeness while identifying 52+ alter personalities that carried on her life. She is the author of two books, DIARY OF A SURVIVOR IN ART AND POETRY, and ALL TOGETHER NOW, A MULTIPLE’S STORY OF HOPE & HEALING. Today she lives with her partner in the mountains of Northwest Georgia, enjoying the serenity and beauty of nature.

deJoly LaBrier will talk about the methods she used to heal from the effects of ritualized torture, an organized child sex ring, and government experimentation. In her recent book, ALL TOGETHER NOW, A MULTIPLE’S STORY OF HOPE AND HEALING, deJoly writes in detail about the various forms the abuse took. She is grateful that during the early part of her recovery, she was introduced to the 12-Steps of AA, as they have been adapted into other groups.

REGISTRATION
Registration closes Thursday evening November 17, 2011

To reserve a space in the webinar, e-mail Shamai at shamai@survivorship.org   and give her this information:

1. Your name
2. The webinar you wish to attend: “All Together Now, a Multiple’s Story of Hope & Healing”
3. Amount and method of payment  (check, PayPal, money order)
4. Your preferred e-mail address (so we can send you instructions)
5. The name you will be using for the webinar. (This does not have to be your real name or your message board screen name.)

You will receive a confirmation email immediately and a guide and instructions after the registration closes

COST

Webinars are on a sliding scale from $50.00 to full scholarship (Please remember to factor in the cost of the telephone call if you don’t have a computer headset).

The PayPal button is near the bottom of the page at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you wish to pay by check please send it to: Survivorship, Family Justice Center, 470 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94612.

UPCOMING WEBINAR

Saturday, December 17
12 pm Pacific Time
Alikina
“Memory & Survivors”

Most survivors have questions about their memory processes at some time: ‘is it true, did it happen?’ or ‘why can’t I remember?’, or even ‘why do I keep having intrusive memories?’. As we heal, we also become aware of times when our memories seem different than how we’ve been lead to believe ‘normal’ memory works. We feel like we forget too much, or we have nearly perfect memories. Often questions about memories of abuse are addressed in therapy, groups, books, etc; but questions about the everyday workings of memory, and how abuse may be affecting our brain function, stay unanswered. This webinar will primarily focus on what current psychological science knows about basic memory processes, as well as issues unique to the survivor community, learning styles and how they affect memory, tricks to assist remembering, and plenty of Q & A time.

Alikina is a survivor of severe abuse and a current grad-school student halfway through her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She has presented articles and webinars for Survivorship in the past. She has worked with abuse survivors through community support organizations and been in therapy as both the client and the therapist, and plans to work with abuse and trauma survivors as her career path.

PAST WEBINARS
Survivorship members may listen to past webinars in the members’ section.
For information on joining Survivorship, go to http://www.survivorship.org/about/membership.html

Complete details on all our webinars are at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Shamai@survivorship.org

Survivorship Ritual Abuse Webinars for Clinicians and Survivors

Survivorship is pleased to announce a new webinar series for professionals beginning this October. We intend to provide webinars on a regular basis and are currently in the process of applying for CEs. Our speakers are trained professionals in the field with many years of experience both in the practical aspect of working with survivors of Ritual Abuse and Mind Control as well as having been speakers at professional conferences in the past.

Upcoming Professional Webinar:

Saturday, October 8, 2011
noon Pacific Time
Moving through Ritual Abuse and Mind Control
Presenter
: Ginny Fouts, LPC, LMFT

Ginny Fouts, LPC, LMFT, is founder of Innovative Therapies LLC. Mrs. Fouts has worked in the mental health field for 30 years in a variety of settings.  She  has experience helping individuals, couples, adolescents and groups, along with a wide-range of training working with those who have experienced severe trauma.  Over the years she has seen counseling bring healing to many lives and relationships.

The webinar focus will be on how to recognize the signs for these types of traumas and different ways of healing.  We will talk about the different types of programs and how not to get bogged down in the labyrinth of details.  Ginny will discuss some of the different levels of programming so you will recognize in the early stages what levels, as a therapist, to look for and how to know you are making progress.   

Upcoming Professional Webinars
In November Staci Sprout will begin the first in a series of Sexual Ethics Workshops. These Webinars will have CE’s attached. Please do let us know if you would like to be added to the email list for upcoming professional webinars.

Upcoming Webinar (for survivors and professionals):
Saturday, September 17
noon Pacific Time
Memory & Survivors

Presenter: Alikina

Most survivors have questions about their memory processes at some time: ‘is it true, did it happen?’ or ‘why can’t I remember?’, or even ‘why do I keep having intrusive memories?’  As we heal, we also become aware of times when our memories seem different than how we’ve been lead to believe ‘normal’ memory works.  We feel like we forget too much, or we have nearly perfect memories.  Often questions about memories of abuse are addressed in therapy, groups, books, etc; but questions about the everyday workings of memory, and how abuse may be affecting our brain function, stay unanswered.  This webinar will primarily focus on what current psychological science knows about basic memory processes, as well as issues unique to the survivor community, learning styles and how they affect memory, tricks to assist remembering, and plenty of Q & A time.

Alikina is a survivor of severe abuse and a current grad-school student halfway through her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling.  She has presented articles and webinars for Survivorship in the past.  She has worked with abuse survivors through community support organizations and been in therapy as both the client and the therapist, and plans to work with abuse and trauma survivors as her career path.

REGISTRATION
Registration closes the Thursday evening before the webinar

To reserve a space in the webinar, e-mail Shamai at shamai@survivorship.org   and give her this information:

1. Your name
2. The webinar you wish to attend
3. Amount and method of payment  (check, PayPal, money order)
4. Your preferred e-mail address (so we can send you instructions)
5. The name you will be using for the webinar. (This does not have to be your real name or your message board screen name.)

You will receive a confirmation email immediately and a guide and instructions after the registration closes

COST

Professional Webinars are $50, which will include CEs when they are available.
All other webinars are on a sliding scale from $50.00 to full scholarship.
The PayPal button is near the bottom of the page at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you wish to pay by check please send it to: Survivorship, Family Justice Center, 470 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94612.

FUTURE WEBINARS (survivors and professionals)

Saturday, October 15
10 am Pacific Time (please note change of time)
Neil Brick
“Educating Others about Ritual Abuse”

Neil Brick is a survivor of ritual abuse. He founded S.M.A.R.T.
( http://ritualabuse.us ) a ritual abuse educational research resource with a ritual abuse newsletter and annual conferences. He is a member of the Survivorship Board of Directors. He is an advocate for getting the truth about ritual abuse out to the general public.

The webinar focus will be on how survivors can safely empower themselves by getting the truth out about the reality of ritual abuse to other child abuse survivors and the general public. Different ways of reaching the public and the media will be discussed.

PAST WEBINARS
Survivorship members may listen to past webinars in the members’ section.
For information on joining Survivorship, go to http://www.survivorship.org/about/membership.html

Complete details on all our webinars are at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Shamai@survivorship.org

Survivorship Ritual Abuse Webinar – Memory and Survivors

Survivorship Ritual Abuse Webinar – Memory and Survivors

Upcoming Webinar:
Saturday, September 17
noon Pacific Time
Memory & Survivors

Presenter: Alikina

Most survivors have questions about their memory processes at some time: ‘is it true, did it happen?’ or ‘why can’t I remember?’, or even ‘why do I keep having intrusive memories?’  As we heal, we also become aware of times when our memories seem different than how we’ve been lead to believe ‘normal’ memory works.  We feel like we forget too much, or we have nearly perfect memories.  Often questions about memories of abuse are addressed in therapy, groups, books, etc; but questions about the everyday workings of memory, and how abuse may be affecting our brain function, stay unanswered.  This webinar will primarily focus on what current psychological science knows about basic memory processes, as well as issues unique to the survivor community, learning styles and how they affect memory, tricks to assist remembering, and plenty of Q & A time.

Alikina is a survivor of severe abuse and a current grad-school student halfway through her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling.  She has presented articles and webinars for Survivorship in the past.  She has worked with abuse survivors through community support organizations and been in therapy as both the client and the therapist, and plans to work with abuse and trauma survivors as her career path.

REGISTRATION
Registration closes Thursday evening September 15, 2011

To reserve a space in the webinar, e-mail Shamai at shamai@survivorship.org   and give her this information:

1. Your name
2. The webinar you wish to attend: “ Memory & Survivors
3. Amount and method of payment  (check, PayPal, money order)
4. Your preferred e-mail address (so we can send you instructions)
5. The name you will be using for the webinar. (This does not have to be your real name or your message board screen name.)

You will receive a confirmation email immediately and a guide and instructions after the registration closes

COST

Webinars are on a sliding scale from $50.00 to full scholarship (Please remember to factor in the cost of the telephone call.)

The PayPal button is near the bottom of the page at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you wish to pay by check please send it to: Survivorship, Family Justice Center, 470 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94612.

FUTURE WEBINARS

Saturday, October 15
10 am Pacific Time (please note change of time)
Neil Brick
“Educating Others about Ritual Abuse”

Neil Brick is a survivor of ritual abuse. He founded S.M.A.R.T.
( http://ritualabuse.us ) a ritual abuse educational research resource with a ritual abuse newsletter and annual conferences. He is a member of the Survivorship Board of Directors. He is an advocate for getting the truth about ritual abuse out to the general public.

The webinar focus will be on how survivors can safely empower themselves by getting the truth out about the reality of ritual abuse to other child abuse survivors and the general public. Different ways of reaching the public and the media will be discussed.

PAST WEBINARS
Survivorship members may listen to past webinars in the members’ section.
For information on joining Survivorship, go to http://www.survivorship.org/about/membership.html

Complete details on all our webinars are at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Shamai@survivorship.org

Survivorship Ritual Abuse webinars – Journaling: Going Beyond the Book

Survivorship Ritual Abuse webinars – Journaling: Going Beyond the Book

Upcoming Webinar:

Saturday, August 27, 2011
noon Pacific Time

Flower
“Journaling: Going Beyond the Book”

Do you have a narrow view of journaling? Are you under the impression that there is only “one right way” to do it? Does the thought of journaling bore you to tears? Is it something you feel you need to do, but you have no idea where or how to start? Come to this Webinar and get some ideas for journaling that go beyond the traditional “book” idea.
Abigail, aka Flower, has done different types of journaling over the years and she would love to share with you some of the different things she has tried. Who knows? Perhaps you will find something that appeals to you!

Flower grew up in a generational SRA cult family, but was unaware of that until much later in life. She is a long time member of Survivorship and has done one other Webinar: How a Non-Artist Uses Art for Healing. She has a strong faith in her Creator and has known Yeshua/Jesus since she was a small child, which is reflected in her healing journey and many of her writings. One of her hobbies is taking photos and combining them with encouraging words.

Her love of writing is reflected in poetry, private journaling, and several blogs. One blog focuses specifically on her thoughts as a survivor and in another, she shares a lot of the artwork she has done as part of her healing journey (including the pieces she shared in her Webinar). In a third one, she is starting to put up her poetry. She also juggles being a wife and home educating mom.

REGISTRATION
Registration closes Thursday evening August 25, 2011

To reserve a space in the webinar, e-mail Shamai at shamai@survivorship.org  and give her this information:

1.Your name
2. The webinar you wish to attend: “Journaling: Going Beyond the Book”
3. Amount and method of payment  (check, PayPal, money order)
4. Your preferred e-mail address (so we can send you instructions)
5. The name you will be using for the webinar. (This does not have to be your real name or your message board screen name.)

You will receive a confirmation email immediately and a guide and instructions after the registration closes

COST
Webinars are on a sliding scale from $50.00 to full scholarship (Please remember to factor in the cost of the telephone call.)

The PayPal button is near the bottom of the page at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you wish to pay by check please send it to: Survivorship, Family Justice Center, 470 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94612.

FUTURE WEBINARS
Saturday, September 17
noon Pacific Time
Memory & Survivors
Presenter: Alikina

Most survivors have questions about their memory processes at some time: ‘is it true, did it happen?’ or ‘why can’t I remember?’, or even ‘why do I keep having intrusive memories?’.  As we heal, we also become aware of times when our memories seem different than how we’ve been lead to believe ‘normal’ memory works.  We feel like we forget too much, or we have nearly perfect memories.  Often questions about memories of abuse are addressed in therapy, groups, books, etc; but questions about the everyday workings of memory, and how abuse may be affecting our brain function, stay unanswered.

This webinar will primarily focus on what current psychological science knows about basic memory processes, as well as issues unique to the survivor community, learning styles and how they affect memory, tricks to assist remembering, and plenty of Q & A time.

Alikina is a survivor of severe abuse and a current grad-school student halfway through her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling.  She has presented articles and webinars for Survivorship in the past.  She has worked with abuse survivors through community support organizations and been in therapy as both the client and the therapist, and plans to work with abuse and trauma survivors as her career path.

Saturday, October 16
10 am Pacific Time (please note change of time)

Neil Brick
“Educating Others about Ritual Abuse”

Neil Brick is a survivor of ritual abuse. He founded S.M.A.R.T.  ( http://ritualabuse.us ) a ritual abuse educational research resource with a ritual abuse newsletter and annual conferences. He is a member of the Survivorship Board of Directors. He is an advocate for getting the truth about ritual abuse out to the general public.

The webinar focus will be on how survivors can safely empower themselves by getting the truth out about the reality of ritual abuse to other child abuse survivors and the general public. Different ways of reaching the public and the media will be discussed.

PAST WEBINARS
Survivorship members may listen to past webinars in the members’ section.
For information on joining Survivorship, go to http://www.survivorship.org/about/membership.html

Complete details on all our webinars are at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Shamai@survivorship.org

Survivorship Ritual Abuse Webinars

Survivorship Ritual Abuse Webinars

Upcoming Webinar:

Date: Saturday, July 30, 2011
Time: noon Pacific Time
Presenter: Brianna Pruett
Topic: From Self-Preservation to Self-Celebration – Self Care for Ritual Abuse Survivors.

Brianna Pruett, a survivor of ritual abuse and government-sponsored mind control projects, is a 28-year-old psychology student and musician. She has worked with Randy Noblitt in educating students at Alliant University and maintains a commitment to speaking the truth and empowering other survivors as well as herself. Her website is http://www.briannaleapruett.com.

The webinar focus will be on basic self-care information — such as nutrition, hygiene, and body care — with special tips and thoughts for survivors of ritual abuse, as well as on regaining/reclaiming self-care skills we may have discarded along with the abusive situations.

REGISTRATION
Registration closes Thursday evening July 28, 2011

To reserve a space in the webinar, e-mail Shamai at shamai@survivorship.org  and give her this information:

1.Your name
2. The webinar you wish to attend: From Self-Preservation to Self-Celebration – Self Care for Ritual Abuse Survivors.
3. Amount and method of payment  (check, PayPal, money order)
4. Your preferred e-mail address (so we can send you instructions)
5. The name you will be using for the webinar. (This does not have to be your real name or your message board screen name.)

You will receive a confirmation email immediately and a guide and instructions after the registration closes

COST
Webinars are on a sliding scale from $50.00 to full scholarship (Please remember to factor in the cost of the telephone call.)

The PayPal button is near the bottom of the page at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

If you wish to pay by check please send it to: Survivorship, Family Justice Center, 470 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94612.

FUTURE WEBINARS
Saturday, August 27th
noon Pacific Time
Journaling: Going Beyond the Book!
Presenter: Flower
Do you have a narrow view of journaling? Are you under the impression that there is only “one right way” to do it? Does the thought of journaling bore you to tears? Is it something you feel you need to do, but you have no idea where or how to start? Come to this Webinar and get some ideas for journaling that go beyond the traditional “book” idea. Abigail, aka Flower, has done different types of journaling over the years and she would love to share with you some of the different things she has tried. Who knows? Perhaps you will find something that appeals to you!

Flower grew up in a generational SRA cult family, but was unaware of that until much later in life. She is a long time member of Survivorship and has done one other Webinar: How a Non-Artist Uses Art for Healing. She has a strong faith in her Creator and has known Yeshua/Jesus since she was a small child…which is reflected in her healing journey and many of her writings. One of her hobbies is taking photos and combining them with encouraging words. Her love of writing is reflected in poetry, private journaling, and several blogs. One blog focuses specifically on her thoughts as a survivor and in another, she shares a lot of the artwork she has done as part of her healing journey (including the pieces she shared in her Webinar). In a third one, she is starting to put up her poetry. She also juggles being a wife and home educating mom.

Saturday, September 17
noon Pacific Time
Memory & Survivors
Presenter: Alikina
Most survivors have questions about their memory processes at some time: ‘is it true, did it happen?’ or ‘why can’t I remember?’, or even ‘why do I keep having intrusive memories?’.  As we heal, we also become aware of times when our memories seem different than how we’ve been lead to believe ‘normal’ memory works.  We feel like we forget too much, or we have nearly perfect memories.  Often questions about memories of abuse are addressed in therapy, groups, books, etc; but questions about the everyday workings of memory, and how abuse may be affecting our brain function, stay unanswered.  This  webinar will primarily focus on what current psychological science knows about basic memory processes, as well as issues unique to the survivor community, learning styles and how they affect memory, tricks to assist remembering, and plenty of Q & A time.

Alikina is a survivor of severe abuse and a current grad-school student halfway through her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling.  She has presented articles and webinars for Survivorship in the past.  She has worked with abuse survivors through community support organizations and been in therapy as both the client and the therapist, and plans to work with abuse and trauma survivors as her career path.

PAST WEBINARS
Survivorship members may listen to past webinars in the members’ section.
For information on joining Survivorship, go to http://www.survivorship.org/about/membership.html

Complete details on all our webinars are at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html

 

brain differences in DID/MPD patients, child abuse changes the brain

Hippocampal and Amygdalar Volumes in Dissociative Identity Disorder
The neurobiological consequences of early stress and childhood maltreatment
Recent findings regarding brain development and childhood abuse/adversity
Does Child Abuse Permanently Alter the Brain?
The Psychobiology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (including physical and sexual abuse)

Hippocampal and Amygdalar Volumes in Dissociative Identity Disorder
Eric Vermetten, M.D., Ph.D., Christian Schmahl, M.D., Sanneke Lindner, M.Sc., Richard J. Loewenstein, M.D., and J. Douglas Bremner, M.D.
Am J Psychiatry 163:630-636, April 2006
doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.163.4.630….

METHOD: The authors used magnetic resonance imaging to measure the volumes of the hippocampus and amygdala in 15 female patients with dissociative identity disorder and 23 female subjects without dissociative identity disorder or any other psychiatric disorder. The volumetric measurements for the two groups were compared.

RESULTS: Hippocampal volume was 19.2% smaller and amygdalar volume was 31.6% smaller in the patients with dissociative identity disorder, compared to the healthy subjects. The ratio of hippocampal volume to amygdalar volume was significantly different between groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings are consistent with the presence of smaller hippocampal and amygdalar volumes in patients with dissociative identity disorder, compared with healthy subjects.
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/163/4/630

full text
“The patients with dissociative identity disorder in our study showed a 19.2% smaller hippocampal volume and a 31.6% smaller amygdalar volume, compared with the healthy subjects.”
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/163/4/630

The neurobiological consequences of early stress and childhood maltreatment
Martin H. Teicher, Susan L. Andersena, Ann Polcarib, Carl M. Andersona, Carryl P. Navaltae, and Dennis M. Kima

Abstract
Early severe stress and maltreatment produces a cascade of neurobiological events that have the potential to cause enduring changes in brain development. These changes occur on multiple levels, from neurohumoral (especially the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal {HPA} axis) to structural and functional. The major structural consequences of early stress include reduced size of the mid-portions of the corpus callosum and attenuated development of the left neocortex, hippocampus, and amygdala.

Major functional consequences include increased electrical irritability in limbic structures and reduced functional activity of the cerebellar vermis. There are also gender differences in vulnerability and functional consequences. The neurobiological sequelae of early stress and maltreatment may play a significant role in the emergence of psychiatric disorders during development.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763403000071

Dr. Martin H. Teicher – Recent findings regarding brain development and childhood abuse/adversity
https://drteicher.wordpress.com/

https://drteicher.wordpress.com/2010/11/
Keynote: Pierre Janet memorial lecture ISSTD
Does Child Abuse Permanently Alter the Brain?
Martin H. Teicher, M.D., Ph.D. (PowerPoint)

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
New York Academy of Sciences June 1997
Volume 821 Psychobiology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, The Pages xi–xv, 1–548
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nyas.1997.821.issue-1/issuetoc
includes:
Psychobiological Effects of Sexual Abuse : A Longitudinal Study (pages 150–159)
FRANK W. PUTNAM and PENELOPE K. TRICKETT
DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1997.tb48276.x

Preliminary Evidence for Abnormal Cortical Development in Physically and Sexually Abused Children Using EEG Coherence and MRI (pages 160–175)
MARTIN H. TEICHER, YUTAKA ITO, CAROL A. GLOD, SUSAN L. ANDERSEN, NATALIE DUMONT and ERIKA ACKERMAN
DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1997.tb48277.x

Implicit and Explicit Memory for Trauma-Related Information in PTSD (pages 219–224) RICHARD J. MCNALLY
DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1997.tb48281.x

Trauma, Dissociation, and Memory (pages 225–237)
DAVID SPIEGEL DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1997.tb48282.x

 

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