PTSD Remediation eradicates the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. I know, I didn’t believe that either when I first heard about it.
The conversation went like this:
Friend: My therapist friend told me that he can cure ptsd symptoms.
Me: No. He cannot.
Friend: He’s done it for like 25 years.
Me: <Shrug> Nope.
Friend: He works with veterans and the VA.
Me: That’s nice.
We had that conversation six to twelve times. Then my friend offered to introduce me to the therapist.
If you’ve been around here for long, you know that I have tried *most* of the therapies. I would like to say, “ALL the therapies,” but I’m not there yet. If it’s got some evidence behind it and has helped people, I’ll try it, because what’s the worst that can happen?
Meeting the PTSD Remediation Therapist
Which is what I said about meeting the PTSD Remediation therapist. If there was no benefit, then I would be back where I already was, and there’s no loss in that. And I don’t believe I’ve ever tried something that didn’t have at least *some* benefit.
My friend introduced me to Daniel Gilbride, a very knowledgeable and experienced and *busy* therapist here in Portland. What struck me was how matter of fact he was – straight up unapologetic – about this technique that somehow I had never heard about. My defenses were way up.
But I liked him. He had a good vibe. He knew his stuff. Most importantly, I felt safe, and we had a connection. And he was wickedly funny, which I prefer.
He gave me the basic story about this technique, which is this –
The Vagus Nerve
What I call PTSD Remediation is formally called Dorsal Vagal Nerve Threat and Remediation Technique. It was researched and discovered by a psychologist in the 1970s who worked with soldiers returning from Vietnam. He signed an NDA with the VA when the research was completed, which is why I only know the bare minimum about this researcher.
This technique activates the vagus nerve, which is known as the “wandering nerve” because it is present throughout the body. This nerve originates in the brain stem and through the face, neck, lungs, heart, diaphragm, and abdomen, including the stomach, spleen, intestines, colon, liver, and kidneys. This system stimulates the “rest and digest” part of the nervous system (the parasympathetic branch) and is involved in nearly every physiological action in the human body.
When we go through trauma, this part of our vagus nerve gets turned “on,” and it is not meant to be “on” all the time. In fact, the default is for it to be off, only switching on when our bodies sense danger. When it is on, that’s when we are in Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn, or some combination.
When we take control of the vagus nerve, we can – over time – bring the system back to what it is supposed to be. This exercise can feel quite uncomfortable at first, as the trauma memories and emotions trapped in the amygdala are released. Processing all that is released is the bulk of the work for those ten to twelve weeks.
The Reality of This Treatment
This treatment is deceptively simple. I’ll teach you what he taught me, which is a couple of grounding techniques and the breathing exercise that activates the vagus nerve. Each week for ten to twelve weeks, we’ll meet to process through what comes up and fine tune what needs tuning.
PTSD Remediation does not exclude any other form of treatment. It’s not magic. This doesn’t replace any other somatic work or talk therapy or anything else. If you have read What Every Trauma Survivor Needs to Know, you know I LOOOOVE using a variety of healing modalities to help overcome the effects of trauma.
This is a tool for eradicating the symptoms that go along with PTSD, especially triggers that we cannot control. Let me tell you, it is a whole lot easier to deal with the trauma that caused PTSD when the symptoms are gone.
My PTSD Remediation Experience
My PTSD diagnosis was in December 2006. I started my remediation experience on July 24, 2020. My last PTSD trigger was on September 26, 2020.
I have not had a PTSD trigger since.
During those weeks that pandemic summer, I journaled every day, noting my dreams, feelings, body sensations, anything else of note. Dan and I met weekly. I could do the exercises anywhere, so it was really convenient. And I did NOT have to dig up all the trauma and talk about it in detail, reliving it or becoming re-traumatized. That isn’t necessary in this technique, survivors can talk in the depth that they choose.
Most importantly, a few weeks after I had not had a PTSD trigger, I said, “I want to do this with other people. Nobody has heard of this treatment. Can I do this?”
“Of course!” he said.
Right after that appointment, I started looking up the *fastest* way to get out here, which was Trauma Recovery Coaching certification, and here we are.
How To Get Some of This PTSD Relief
I know, this sounds like pie in the sky. I was super scared before my own PTSD Remediation started. Questions swirled, like could there be life without PTSD triggers? And who would I be without post traumatic stress disorder?
This is all to be expected. I had identified so closely with my trauma that it was difficult to let it go. I was, in a sense, stuck in that identity for several years. Looking back, I would do PTSD Remediation again, and I have zero regrets. My life has only gotten bigger and better, more expansive with joy.
There are a couple of ways to access PTSD Remediation. First, schedule a free Discovery Call OR a free PTSD Screening appointment, which allows us to meet each other and talk about post traumatic stress disorder in your life.
If you decide to move forward, appointments are an hour each week for 12 weeks.
But what is the cost? That is a good question! PTSD Remediation is an investment of $749 for a package of 12 sessions. I also offer sliding scale and payment plans, with a couple of pay-what-you-can openings each quarter.
I welcome questions, so please ask! You can contact me through phone, email, or this form.
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