ÿ?Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) and Primary Resolution of the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? provides a brief discussion illuminating the concept of PTSD: how it arises, what maintains it, how it progresses to increasingly constrain a person?s life. PTSD also involves faulty thinking, but focus on such present-time reactions is ineffective without addressing the original trauma. PTSD is the consequence of attempts to avoid re-experiencing. Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) is a technique for overcoming this tendency, allowing the sufferer to experience the traumatic incident in a special, safe way. In the case of multiple traumas, this can be complex, needing to deal with each. It is necessary to find the original trauma, which invariably has led to more recent ones, and fully resolve it in one sitting. This provides complete relief from the burden of the past trauma. An individual session, designed to handles a single incident, may take between 20 minutes and 3 hours (average 1.5 hours). The primary incident may be obvious to the sufferer, or hidden. People with anxiety problems but no flashbacks may find forgotten traumas, the resolution of which through ?Thematic TIR? can eliminate current symptoms. Currently occurring emotional and somatic symptoms are traced back in time until a root incident is found. Emotion and thinking are intertwined: correcting one will correct the other. TIR focuses on the emotion. Once the trauma is fully processed, the person is able to think rationally about it. ?Dr Moore?s monograph will guide you in deciding whether you will benefit from TIR, and may inspire you to train to become a ?facilitator? who can help others with this powerful family of techniques.? --Bob Rich, PhD, www.anxiety-and-depressionhelp.comÿ

An examination of Critical Incident Stress Management and Traumatic Incident Reduction and how cross-training could benefit facilitators of both CISM and TIR.

This article briefly reflects the extent to which substance dependency and traumatic events, which may lead to a diagnosis of a post-traumatic stress disorder, are becoming a feature of life all over South Africa. Many social workers are familiar with current evidence-based approaches and are skilled at adapting them to local cultural and contextual conditions. Exploring and continuing learning various evidence-based approaches to render more effective services are an important aim of social work practice. Metapsychology and Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR), an Applied Metapsychology technique, are introduced to challenge social workers to render more integrated and effective services. The prevalence and comorbidity of substance dependency and PTSD Looking at statistics about substance dependency, as well as the high tendency of being a victim of trauma in South Africa, is it evident that social workers are confronted and challenged on a daily basis to improve their knowledge and skills in this regard. In South Africa, drug consumption is twice the world norm (CDA-2011) and 15% of South Africa's population has a drug problem (CDA-2011). Over 30% of the South African population have an alcohol problem or are at risk of having one and alcohol affects 17.5 million of South Africans. Studies show that people who start drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become alcoholics than people starting to drink later in their life. The recently-released United Nations World Drug Report had named South Africa as one of the drug capitals of the world. When it comes to the abuse of alcohol and usage of dagga, this country is rated to be one of the top ten narcotics and alcohol abusers in the world (Addiction Drug Alcohol Statistics, S.A. 2012 About the Author Elca Erlank, Ph. D. became a TIR trainer in 2012. She has trained with both Gerald French and Yvonne Retief. Elca is a social worker, in South Africa with 22 years experience in various related fields of social work services. She had specialized in the field of substance dependence and received her doctorate degree in 2003. From the Metapsychology Monographs Series at www.TIRBook.com.

Within this reference are synopses of several Traumatic Incident Reduction research projects from the early 1990s to today. Each article, in the researcher's own words, provides new insights into the effectiveness of TIR.

An examination of Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) techniques and how they can be applied to childhood trauma including abuse, domestic violence, and traumatic stress. Emphasis on combining cognitive and creative techniques for maximal effectiveness. This work is an anthology of work from several social workers who specialize in childhood trauma. Included are both practical techniques and detailed case histories.

ÿI developed renewed faith in the power of psychotherapy after I attended a Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) course in 2011. It opened many doors for me as I began to understand the impact of previously overlooked, objectively minor traumatic incidents on psychological disorders and problems. This article is about the application of this powerful tool over the entire spectrum of psychological problems and disorders and how this brings about impressive and permanent change. The optimal use of this tool in psychotherapy requires a shift in epistemology in which we begin to view mental health through a trauma lens. The definition of psychological trauma can vary. From a TIR perspective, trauma can be defined as any incident that had a negative physical or emotional impact on an individual. This is a very subjective issue as the something could be perceived as traumatic by one individual, but as commonplace and harmless by another. The important thing is the emotional and physical impact the incident had on the individual, its subjective impact. The reason it is so important to view trauma in the broadest way possible is because it explains the chronic mood states of our clients as well as how subconscious intentions and automatic emotional responses affect their current lives. These will be explained below. Traumatic incidents, when understood in the broadest sense possible, have a massive effect on our neurobiology, emotional states and behavioral patterns. Therefore, they can be seen as the driving force behind almost all psychological problems and disorders. When I say traumatic incidents ?in the broadest sense possible,? I refer to the everyday incidents of trauma that are objectively perceived as minor, such as an embarrassing comment by a teacher, conflict with a friend, breaking your mother?s expensive vase, etc. It involves an understanding of how the emotional knocks we take on a daily basis affect our neurobiology and continue to have an impact on us in later life. The understanding of subconscious intentions, automatic emotional reactions and responses and chronic mood states are so crucial when it comes to looking at mental health through a trauma lens. Minor and major psychological and physical trauma involves a complex description of the effects on the brain. This article includes detailed case studies including specific incidents such as birth trauma and jealousy and rage. We will look in detail at how trauma results in Goleman?s ?Amygdala Hijacking? and how we can help the client break destructive cycles. I also explain why sheer willpower is insufficient to change behavior in the face of traumatic restimulation.ÿ Additionally, the article explains how TIR avoids re-traumatization even as clients revisit past incidents.

ÿThe following article is based on materials presented at the Proceedings of the Tenth National Symposium on Doctoral Research in Social Work (1998).ÿ Statement of the Research Problem Conducted in the Tallahassee Federal Correction Institute (FCI) in Florida, this experimental outcome study examined the effectiveness of Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) (Gerbode, 1989) in treating trauma-related symptoms of female inmates who were victims of interpersonal violence. TIR is a brief (in this case, one session), straightforward, memory-based, therapeutic intervention most similar to imaginal flooding. A memory-based intervention implies that the symptoms currently experienced by a client are related to a past event and that lasting resolution of those symptoms involves focusing on the memory rather than focusing on symptom management. TIR is straightforward in that the roles of both the client and therapist are very clearly defined and strictly followed.ÿ There are several reasons for studying the influence of TIR on previously traumatized female inmates. Since 1980, the rate of family homicide has increased fivefold (Joffe, Wilson, & Wolfe, 1986). Women are the target of much violence, as illustrated by the following: 75% of adult women have been victims of at least one sexual assault, robbery, or burglary (Resnick, et al., 1991); and 53.7% are victims of more than one crime. Abundant data suggest that PTSD can result from having been a victim of crime or having witnessed a violent crime (Astin, Lawrence, & Foy, 1993; Breslau, Davis, Andreski & Peterson, 1991; Resnick, et al., 1991). Therefore, the number of women affected by PTSD is growing as violence and sexual abuse increase in society as a whole (Ursano & Fullerton, 1990). There is a lack of empirical research on the traumatic effects of interpersonal violence (e.g. robbery, rape, incest, physical assault). Since inmates are typically victims of interpersonal violence (Gabel, Johnston, Baker, & Cannon, 1993), the inmate population studied was particularly suitable for TIR. For more information on TIR, see www.TIR.org

ÿAmong the most profound manifestations of childhood trauma is that of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Theorists suggest DID can be both adaptive and dysfunctional in nature. "The Dissociation of Abigail" will illustrate how childhood trauma can affect the perception, cognition, and behavior of an individual into their adult years. This case study will discuss client intake, assessment, and potential treatment.ÿ Abigail, a tall, attractive, and well-groomed divorced mother of 5 children in her late 30s, presents herself in the therapist?s office complaining of the inability to remember key periods of her life. Discussion with the client reveals she is, in fact, extremely intelligent, intuitive, and well versed on a myriad of subjects; including an acute knowledge of psychology that would arguably be the envy of many professional therapists. Within moments of beginning the intake, the therapist becomes keenly aware that this client is also exceedingly spiritual, with the ability to quote chapter and verse of biblical reference, not only as a matter of reference, but with the insight to integrate it in context with a myriad of contemporary issues.ÿ As the therapist listens, Abigail recounts a lifetime of sexual abuse and boundary violations by family members of not only herself, but also two of her children. The client complains of an inability to recall diverse periods of her life. Recently, however, she has begun experiencing recurring psychologically and emotionally distressing, thoughts, images, and dreams of satanic rituals involving family members and persons and places of her childhood in which she is forced to participate. The client offers her life has been accentuated with dysfunctional relationships. Consequently, she is prone to reclusion, and has little interest in outside persons, places, or activities, which significantly impairs social, occupational, and other activities. Predisposed to consider Abigail?s symptoms in context of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (American Psychiatric Association, 2000), the therapist is presented with two lengthy journals Abigail has maintained at the request of her current therapist. Within the first journal, disjointed transitions are noted, alternating between first, second, and third person, present- and past-tense. While the journal opens with eloquence and exceptionally light-handed penmanship and flourishes, it unexpectedly transitions to heavy-handedness with angry intonations directed at Abigail herself. As the journey through the journals continues, several other such transitions are noted, along with highly distinctive differences in penmanship and writing style.ÿ More importantly, the writings reflect distinct differences in cognitive process. Cryptanalysis of the writings discloses six psychologically significant profiles, as if six different individuals were writing the journals. Disjointed and appearing unexpectedly independent junctures, they appeared to be conflicted and often vying for dominance in expressing their opinions and beliefs. If one were to thematically categorize these six profiles into individual context, they would find the intellectual (strives for intellect and perfection); the preacher (core of morals, ethics, and values); the abuser (the mother); the victim (childlike; timid, shy, and afraid); the reckoner (endeavors to evoke shame and deliver punishment); and a highly pronounced highly sexual vixen personality (sexually motivated, arguably the personality for male gratification/survival).ÿ

Victor Volkman has created a tool that takes the mystery out of one of the more remarkably effective clinical procedures in a way that can help millions of people revitalize and improve their lives. To those desperate people who have experienced trauma or tragedy, this process is a pathway to dealing with their feelings and getting on with their lives. In the new book Beyond Trauma, Conversations on Traumatic Incident Reduction Volkman presents a series of conversations with a wide range of people from many different backgrounds and experiences. Each provides his or her perspective on Traumatic Incident Reduction, or TIR for short. The book explains the techniques used by professionals and patients to help people sort out, resolve and overcome the negative effects of painful suffering. Untold countless people have to deal with trauma in a wide variety of situations: Soldiers who experience war or injury, families dealing with death, chemical or substance abuse, parental neglect, child or sexual abuse, terrorism, crime and punishment. Beyond Trauma: Conversations on Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR), is unique in that it addresses both people suffering from the effects of traumatic stress and the practitioners who help them. This method has been effective in dealing with many areas of trauma, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), in such diverse groups as veterans, children, 9/11 survivors, motor vehicle accident and sexual abuse survivors. TIR is a brief, one-on-one, non-hypnotic, person-centered, simple, and highly structured method for permanently eliminating the negative effects of past traumas. Contributors include world-renowned experts in traumatology including Windy Dryden, Ph.D., Joyce Carbonell, Ph.D., and TIR's developer Frank A. Gerbode, M.D. Beyond Trauma highlights stories of TIR helping survivors to regain control of their lives. This book will be life changing not only for survivors of traumatic incidents but also for the professionals committed to helping them. "Not in 30+ years of practice have I used a more remarkably effective clinical procedure." --Robert H. Moore, Ph.D. What people are saying about this book: . "Beyond Trauma: Conversations on Traumatic Incident Reduction is an excellent resource to begin one's mastery in this area of practice." --Michael G. Tancyus, LCSW, DCSW, Augusta Behavioral Health . "I have found Beyond Trauma to be EXCEPTIONALLY HELPFUL in understanding and practicing TIR in broad and diverse areas of practice, not just in traditional trauma work. The information from various points of view is really priceless." --Gerry Bock, Registered Clinical Counsellor, B.C. Canada . "Beyond Trauma offers PTSD sufferers a glimpse at a light at the end of the tunnel, while providing mental health workers with a revolutionary technique that could increase their success rate with traumatized clients" --Jeni Mayer, Body Mind Spirit Magazine . "Having read the book, I feel that I have already become better at working with distressed clients." -- Bob Rich, Ph.D.

Examine alternative techniques for dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder Trauma Treatment Techniques: Innovative Trends examines alternative approaches to “talk” therapies that help relieve stress in trauma survivors. Experts in a range of practice areas present mental health providers with methods that augment or go beyond traditional techniques, including art therapy, virtual reality, humor, residential programs, emotional freedom techniques (EFT), traumatic incident reduction (TIR), and thought field therapy (TFT). This unique book serves as a primer on new and creative means of working with combat veterans, survivors of child abuse, victims of rape and other violent crimes, refugees, victims of terrorism, and disaster survivors. Since the late 19th century, mental and medical health professionals, social workers, clinicians, and counselors have attempted to help patients mitigate symptoms and reduce distress by employing a variety of treatment techniques, methods, strategies, and procedures. Trauma Treatment Techniques: Innovative Trends represents a significant addition to the available literature on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute distress, providing therapists with much-needed options in their efforts to help trauma sufferers recover, find new meaning, and reach for new hopes and happiness. Trauma Treatment Techniques: Innovative Trends examines: debriefing interventions in school settings instructions and safeguards for using emotional freedom techniques (EFT) when debriefing in disaster situations the use of creative art therapies to reach out to war refugees the use of virtual reality-based exposure therapy (VRE) to desensitize Vietnam veterans with PTSD from traumatic memories humor as a healing tool repressed memory physiology and meridian treatment points in the body a six-step methodology for diagnosing PTSD a 90-day residential program for treatment of PTSD PTSD motivation enhancement (ME) groups autism as a potential traumatic stressor and much more Trauma Treatment Techniques: Innovative Trends is an invaluable resource of inventive techniques that offer hope for recovery to anyone who has suffered life’s worst injuries.