In my last article about depression at infoholix.net: 'Is There A Cure For Depression? First Results', I presented the first evidence of a holistic cure for depression, provided by Dr. Frank Lea.[1] Dr. Lea demonstrated how he cures depression using non-invasive, drug-free therapy, a combination of hypnotherapy and NLP techniques.[2]

This update is a presentation of the work of Steve B. Reed, LPC, LMSW, LMFT, the innovative psychotherapist who developed the REMAP process. Frustration with conventional psychotherapy and medical model treatments led Steve to incorporate alternative approaches into his practice, some of the best elements of cognitive and behavioral psychology with acupressure (a psycho-sensory component), to alleviate emotional suffering.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression

Many therapists, and people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) would benefit from learning about Steve Reed's work, because many people are affected by PTSD and the depression that often accompanies it.[3] A study in the USA found that 61% of men and 51% of women experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives, and that PTSD is a highly prevalent lifetime disorder that often persists for years.[4] Only a minority of people with PTSD obtain treatment.[5] The most severely affected are unable to work, have trouble with relationships, and have great difficulty parenting their children.[6]

Severe, or 'major' depression can result from a single traumatic event.[7] The Toronto outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) led to many cases of PTSD and depression--both in patients and in the health care professionals providing care for them.[8] War veterans and survivors of natural disasters often suffer PTSD and severe depression.[9] Among the worst affected by PTSD and severe depression are survivors of terrorist attacks.[10] Two months after the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, researchers found that the prevalence of PTSD and depression in Manhattan was nearly twice the national average for adults in the United States.[11]

Perhaps those most frequently exposed to the risk of PTSD are emergency service personnel such as firefighters, police, and paramedics.[12][13][14] Steve Reed's case study concerns a traumatized firefighter, Robert, who came to his office with severe depression (after being on antidepressants for nearly a year) and PTSD. The therapeutic results obtained after 94 minutes of REMAP treatment demonstrate interesting and positive changes in: 1. Symptoms; 2. Psychological testing; 3. Physical measures of heart activity, and 4. Behavioral changes as a result of treatment.

The REMAP process

The REMAP process is a 'leading-edge' method for treating trauma, anxiety, panic attacks and phobias. It shares some similarities with meridian-based treatments such as Thought Field Therapy (TFT), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), EmoTrance, etc.[15] In 2006, Steve Reed did a pilot research study on the effectiveness of the REMAP process with trauma survivors.[16] The results were more favorable than those obtained in similar studies of related treatments.[17]Steve Reed explains that PTSD reacts with the fight-or-flight response so that any reminder of the trauma triggers the fight-or-flight reaction even if there is no present danger. PTSD affects a part of the brain that is only marginally accessible by language, i.e. the mid-brain or limbic system. This explains why the conventional treatment that Robert had received had not helped: Talking therapies cannot access the affected part of the brain, and medicine simply numbs reactions without dealing with the problem. By means of the REMAP process, which utilizes interventions that have a direct influence on the limbic system, Steve obtained positive results. To find out more about how the REMAP process works, read on... 

Profile: Introducing Steve B. Reed, LPC, LMSW, LMFT

• Steve B. Reed, M.S. is a psychotherapist and social worker with over 30 years experience.  
• His undergraduate degree in psychology is from the University of Texas at Dallas.  He holds a Master of Science degree in counseling from East Texas State University.
• Steve holds three mental health licenses in the state of Texas.  He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). 
• His contribution to the field includes the development of the REMAP process, the leading edge in the meridian-based psychotherapy paradigm. 
• Steve has twice presented the REMAP process training at the Ohio State University Medical School.
• He has also presented REMAP training seminars and lectures in Canada, Central America and several locations throughout the United States.
• Steve has served on the board of directors of the Association of Comprehensive Energy Psychology and has presented at many international and regional Energy Psychology conferences.  He has also presented on acupressure-enhanced psychotherapy methods at Texas Marriage and Family Therapy State Conferences, at the North Texas Clinical Hypnosis Society annual conference and at Harris Methodist Hospital.
• He is recognized as one of 16 leaders in the field of energy psychology by the Association of Comprehensive Energy Psychology and has been awarded the title Diplomate, Comprehensive Energy Psychology (D.CEP).
• Steve has developed three training seminars and five demonstration videos on the REMAP process. He is currently working on a book on the process and has completed the first REMAP pilot research study.
• The first REMAP professional training seminar to be presented in Europe is scheduled for Germany in 2008.  
• His full-time private practice is located in Richardson, Texas (Dallas area). He treats people world wide through phone consultations.

Overcoming a Firefighter's Trauma article

REMAP Articles, Videos, Lectures, Research

1 Martha Magenta, 'Is There A Cure For Depression? First Results.' 2007, Infoholix Health News, online: http://www.infoholix.net/article_is_there_a_cure_for_depression_first_results.php?

2 Frank W. Lea, 'Creative Mindpower Techniques', http://www.creativemindpower.co.uk

3 National Center for PTSD, 'What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?' 2003, PTDS Fact Sheet, online: http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/ptsdfacts.html

4 Ronald C. Kessler et al., Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Archives of General Psychiatry, 52(12), 1048-1060 (December 1995),The Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma, online: http://psychology.iop.kcl.ac.uk/cadat/patients/PTSD.aspx

5 Ronald C. Kessler, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: 'The Burden to the Individual and to Society', J Clin Psychiatry 2000:61[suppl 5]:4-12, online: http://www.lawandpsychiatry.com/html/Costs%20of%20PTSD.pdf

6 'What Is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder?' 2005, eMedicineHealth, online: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/post-traumatic_stress_disorder_ptsd/article_em.htm

7 Psychology Information Online, 'Major Depression': http://www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/major.htm

8 Bruce Jancine, 'SARS outbreak caused psychological trauma: physicians also affected - Clinical Rounds' OB/GYN New, Nov 1, 2003, online: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYD/is_21_38/ai_110804602

9 National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (NCPTSD), online: http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/index.jsp

10 Jessica Hamblen, Laurie B. Slone, 'What Are the Traumatic Stress Effects of Terrorism?' National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (NCPTSD), online: http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_terrorism.html

11 Cathleen Henning Fenton, 'High Rate of PTSD in NYC After Terrorist Attacks - Many living near attacks also suffering from depression.' April 9, 2002, About Anxiety & Panic Disorders, online: http://panicdisorder.about.com/od/copingwith911/a/911andPTSD.htm

12 Randal D Beaton, Shirley Murphy, L. Clark Johnson, and Marcus Nemuth, 'Secondary Traumatic Stress Response in Fire Fighters in the Aftermath of 9/11/2001.' Department of Psychosocial and Community Health, University of Washington, School of Nursing, online: www.son.washington.edu/portals/bioterror/Secondary%20Traumatic%20Stress%20Response.doc

13 David Kinchin, 'Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: the invisible injury.' 2005, ISBN 0952912147, online: http://www.successunlimited.co.uk/books/ptsdis.htm

14 'Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)' Royal College of Psychiatrists, online: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation

15 Steve B. Reed, Dallas Counseling & Psychotherapy: http://www.psychotherapy-center.com/the_remap_process_toc.html

16 Steve B. Reed, Mary Ross, Frances McManemin, 2006, 'Soothing the Sympathetic Nervous System with the REMAP process: Results from Treating Eight Trauma Survivors And Measuring Treatment Effect with Heart Rate Variability Analysis.' Dallas Counseling & Psychotherapy: http://www.psychotherapy-center.com/remap-HRV_research1.html

17 Steve B. Reed, 'Comparing the REMAP Pilot Study to Other Studies and Methods: The 1995 Active Ingredients Study at Florida State University by Charles Figley, Ph.D.' online: http://www.psychotherapy-center.com/Comparing_REMAP_to_Other_Studies.html