Healing the Wounds of War Program Model

The Center for Mind-Body Medicine uses its psycho-social model, which integrates stress management techniques and group support to encourage and guide those who have felt helpless and hopeless in the face of conflict to experience and regain their own power to help themselves. The program consists of a three-phased “training of trainers” model that seeks to aide healthcare professionals and community leaders in alleviating their own stress and trauma while decreasing feelings of anger and rage and instructing them in effectively integrating what they have learned into their work with patients, clients and students as a way to promote sustainability and permanent changes in attitude and behavior that helps pave the way for mutual understanding, compassion and peacemaking.

Phase I: CMBM Led Trainings

Outreach. In the outreach phase for the initial training, CMBM and its local partners identify potential participants of the program – health and mental health professionals, teachers, community and religious leaders. Those who are capable of taking an ongoing leadership and training role are chosen from diverse geographical areas and professions by a process of application.

Initial Training. Select participants take part in a 6-day initial training program designed to educate them in the science and practical experience of using mind-body medicine, psychological self-care, and group support to deal with conflict related psychological trauma. This training includes 24 hours of large-group didactic sessions and 18 hours of small-group experiential work with biofeedback, imagery, meditation, and the use of drawings, journals and movement for the expression of feelings and thoughts. Dr. Gordon and Senior CMBM international faculty lead this initial training.

Advanced Training. Four to eight months later, CMBM faculty returns to conduct a five day Advanced Training with these same professionals. This training gives participants the opportunity to actually lead (with supervision) the same small groups in which they were previously trained. During the training, participants receive feedback on their group leadership skills and their knowledge and presentation of the material. They attend didactic panels about issues related to teaching mind-body skills, and receive individual and group consultation on how to successfully apply the approaches in their own work.

Phase II: Transition to Local Faculty

Faculty Intensive Workshop. The most skilled and gifted graduates of the Advanced Training are selected to serve as members of our local faculty. They participate in an intensive 3-day training to prepare them to lead the next phase of training for other professionals and community leaders.

Joint CMBM and Local Faculty-Led Training. Under close supervision and consultation with Dr. Gordon and international CMBM Faculty, the new local faculty trains a new group of their peers in the Initial Training Program. Several months later the local faculty lead an Advanced Training program again with consultation from CMBM, thus creating a critical number of skilled professionals who will further disseminate this model.

Phase III: Support of Local Faculty

CMBM will provide continual supervision, consultation and training as needed for the local faculty so that they can continue to train and supervise other professionals.

Program Evaluation. Every aspect of the program – from effects of the training on participants to their subsequent work in their communities – is evaluated. The evaluation protocols are developed by CMBM jointly with local colleagues who are leaders in research and evaluation.

 

Although I am no stranger to mind-body techniques, this is the first time I could see a framework of coherent approach. I feel rejuvenated and very optimistic about bringing my new knowledge to my colleagues, and to the people we help.

- Sigal Haimov (Hotline Director, Natal Israel Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War)