Originally published July 20 2005
Trainers teach Palestinian health workers alternative trauma treatment techniques
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Trainers from the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington D.C. are teaching Palestinian health workers how to treat trauma victims of Palestinian- Israeli violence through a combination of alternative techniques and psychology.
A U.S.-based foundation advocating a mix of conventional psychology and alternative techniques wound up a pilot training course for Palestinian mental health professionals on Wednesday, meant to help them treat Gaza Strip residents traumatized by Palestinian-Israeli violence.
Six American and two Bosnian trainers from the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, of Washington D.C., arrived in Gaza on July 2 and leave for home on Thursday.
During their stay they have been instructing Palestinian Health Ministry, local U.N. welfare workers and others in a program called "Healing the Wounds of War," first developed by center volunteers during the 1998-99 Kosovo conflict between ethnic Albanians and Serb government forces.
Center founder Jim Gordon also used his program of meditation, yoga and alternative therapies to help New York City firefighters deal with the emotional stress of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and was picked by President Bill Clinton to head a two-year White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy.
"We work with yoga, we also work with modern psychological techniques, like self expression, drawing, written exercises and dance.
We also work with the sharing that can take place in a small group, with opening people to each other, not only opening the mind but opening the heart to each other ."
"The (Israeli-Palestinian) conflict has caused considerable psychological, emotional and physical stress, and I think it's the time to work on this."
Center workers conducted a six-day training program in Israel last year and are to hold separate follow-up sessions for Israelis and Palestinians this winter.
"We offer them a scientifically validated and culturally acceptable way to help them recover from their stress and trauma and to sustain them psychologically as they work toward peace with one another."
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