Vicki:
Thanks for sharing your experience and about that David Delight device thing. Is it similar to that Heart Math program? $275 isn’t cheap, but to have a device, for keeps that improves sleep, seems a worthy investment. Cissy

Hello Cissy and Carol,
Sorry to be late to the discussion. I have done a sequence of neurofeedback with a reduced cost by trading services with the provider. It would have been better to do more however I was able to greatly improve sleep and other issues. As part of the program I used a device at home that modulated brain waves called David Delight(stupid name but great device). The company is in Canada & also available now in U.S. It remains very helpful to change brain wave states for example to alert, relaxed, meditative, sleep…etc. I have told others who have acquired the device and have also gotten good results. For the first time in years I slept all night and fell asleep before the 20 minute program was completed. The device costs around $275. Hope this helps.
Vicki Murphy

HI Carol:
I have heard the cost to be at least $5,000 and I too have been unable to afford it despite thinking it’s probably amazing! I know some places have studies and you can get covered that way. I’ve not found any. I’ve called countless therapists who do not cover this as part of regular therapy. I wish I had a more hopeful response. What you have found is what I have found. I have found this is true, as well, for people of many ages. However, I still think yoga, guided imagery and other remedies can help create safety and promote healing but I think the remedies are not as quick. But they are much more affordable and do offer relief. That I know as does expressive writing. Best wishes.
Cissy
Cissy

Dear PenPen:
I’ve not done online workshops. Yet.
But there are a few great resources.
1)Nancy Slonim Aronie teaches writing from the heart at Chilmark Writing workshop and also at Omega, Kripalu and other places. She’s great. I love her.
2)Laura Davis has a FREE group online, with prompts each week. She responds to all who write and the community, which I drop in and out of is very supportive. All writing levels. It’s not specifically writing about trauma but I have found it to be trauma sensitive though focused on writing.
3)If you are looking specifically TO WRITE ABOUT TRAUMA, Say It, Survivor is having a workshop in Weymouth, MA in June. I don’t think they do online classes but they are fabulous cousins.

All that shared and said, I personally allow myself to write about anything and let traumatic stuff emerge, or not, organically. I allow myself not to censor but also don’t force a topic. For me, that has the best results.

James Pennebaker also has excellent work, Opening Up and a new book out soon, about writing specifically to heal traumatic stress symptoms over a four-day period of consistently writing.

There’s a rule, I agree with, that sharing, unless it’s SUPER SAFE and ONLY YOU DECIDE THAT does more harm than good. TRUST YOURSELF. TRUST YOUR GUIDANCE. Go wherever you want and also don’t go where you don’t want to go.

I hope that helps.
Cissy