
‘Souls lost and found during war and violence’ trauma healing session Jan. 10
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Soul loss and soul recovery of warriors following combat is the specialty of Edward Tick, PhD. His healing strategies to address these wounds and PTSD through psycho-spiritual therapy will be explored in a video presentation at NAMI’s Trauma Healing Session at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10 at The Commons at Central Hall. Normalizing the traumatic experience while passing through the healing transformational process leads to depathologizing PTSD.
Today, we are a traumatized nation experiencing school massacres and severe violence in public places. Dr. Tick explains that we all become traumatized when these events occur. Veterans and first responders are usually the warriors stepping in harms way to protect others at such times, while survivors become warriors as they work to change society so that these tragedies become a thing of the past. All citizens need help during this apocalyptic time.
The soul-wounding nature of violent trauma prompt Tick to use sacred writings, such as the Book of Job, to demonstrate the struggle towards healing, wisdom discovered during and after trauma, and resolution. Reconnecting with spirit lost from extreme violence is an important aspect of the healing transformation.
Dr. Tick’s holistic healing approach reaches beyond simply mind and body to include heart, soul, and community. Community is necessary to alleviate symptoms of isolation and alienation. With severe trauma, we not only lose connection with people but connection with the universe and spirituality. Restoring connections with others and with the soul helps to restore meaning in the experience and future life purpose.
In ancient Greece, trauma was a “stabbing wound” to any part of us including community and even things. We can understand trauma in the community when we think about the parents at Sandy Hook or families of Sept. 11. We can understand trauma concerning things when we think about a culture’s ancient historic buildings and art being destroyed causing pain to a nation’s sense of identification and unity, such as happened in recent times in Syria.
Trauma not only changes the brain chemistry and neurological functioning. It also affects the heart. Our relationships are compromised. Family members can experience secondary trauma during PTSD episodes. Our communities are changed causing pain to the hearts of all of us with resulting domestic violence, homelessness, substance abuse, depression and suicide. The need for help is critical as traumatized veterans begin to reenter civilian life.
Psycho-spiritual strategies to begin the healing transformation include: tended isolation; adoption of the warrior archetype; some form of spiritual cleansing; storytelling, especially among fellow warriors; and, finding meaningful purpose from the experience by making the world a better place. These practices are used in other cultures leading to the absence of PTSD.
Dr. Tick is a psychotherapist, writer, educator, transformational healer, and poet who has worked for 40 years to help heal the invisible wounds of violent trauma. He co-founded the nonprofit Soldier’s Heart. As director, he leads groups of veterans to Vietnam to participate in the building of schools as a way of reconciliation and heart restoration. His books include “War and the Soul” and “Warrior’s Return: Restoring the Warrior’s Soul.” He conducts workshops throughout the country advocating for peace-making and war-healing.
This is a heartfelt and deeply compassionate presentation intended for warriors, first responders, family members and friends, professionals, and all those interested in soul restoration after violent trauma. Please register to attend this free event at 924-7903 or nami.piscataquis@gmail.com.