Tag Archive for: Community Members

Thought Field Therapy Rwanda

The ATFT Foundation funded 2008 PTSD study “Brief trauma intervention with Rwanda genocide survivors using Thought Field Therapy” has just come out in peer reviewed International Journal of Emergency Mental Health. The study’s two-year follow-up will be submitted for publication at a later date.

This study was the first of the ATFT Foundation’s PTSD studies, demonstrating an effective model for large-scale trauma relief. In 2009 a second study with this same model was completed and will be submitted for publication soon. It included a one-year follow-up and will also be submitted for publication.

The TFT (formerly ATFT) Foundation will be purchasing reprints. These reprints will be available from the foundation through Joanne@TFTFoundation.org .

The full citation is:

Connolly, S., & Sakai, C. (2012). Brief trauma intervention with
Rwandan genocide survivors, using Thought Field Therapy.
International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 13 (3), 161-172.

The third study, demonstrating this same model for large-scale trauma relief will be completed in Uganda in June of this year. Suzanne Connolly received a grant from ACEP (Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology) as seed money for this year’s study. The remaining funding will be provided from the three organizations providing the team: TFT Foundation, (USA), ATFT Foundation UK, and the Mats Uldal Humanitarian Foundation (Norway).

Our join objectives for these studies are:

1. To continue developing and scientifically validating a model in which local community leaders can be trained to treat community members in the aftermath of large- scale disasters, especially in regions where trained professionals are scarce.

2. To relieve the distress of those suffering from trauma and promote Post Traumatic Growth (PTG).

The TFT Foundation is in need of support to continue these studies and provide much needed trauma relief. To see further details about the previous studies and projects or to contribute to our efforts, go to www.TFTFoundation.org

Rwandese Rainbow

We have a preliminary report of the progress being made following our ATFT Trauma Relief interventions this August in Byumba, Rwanda. We are attaching the draft that we received from Brother Augustine. The report sent by Brother Augustine, summarizes the reports sent in by each of the thirty-six therapists we trained this August. The therapist’s reports had to be translated from Kinyarwanda to English by Brother Augustine, and this report, attached, contains the responses thus far translated. It is a busy season now in Rwanda and we may get a more complete summary sometime early next year.

It is good to know that the thirty- six therapist the ATFT Team trained have treated 622 people since our departure at the end of August. That is in addition to the 200 plus persons treated by the Rwandan therapists while we were there. It seems that TFT is making a big difference in the lives of the therapist’s, in the lives of those whose lives the therapists touch, and in the larger communities in which they live.

Good work ATFT members! All of you have helped in some really significant way. Thanks especially to team members, Caroline Sakai, Gordon Barrett, Carmen Carrasco, Gary and Cyndie Quinn.

Happy Holidays!

Suzanne M Connolly, LCSW
ATFT Foundation Trauma Relief Committee Chairperson. Read more