NICABM – A NETWORKING MECCA!

To continue the NICABM Conference, but this time, I want to talk about the people there – participants and speakers.

But, first, a little background! My decision to attend was part of a process that started even before I listened to the teleseminars. It  started when I read Belleruth Naparstek’s book, Invisible Heroes, where she stated that research showed the success of using alternative methods to heal trauma survivors.

I realized that I had used qigong 25 years ago to successfully heal survivors of  post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) derived from child sexual abuse. Following this realization, I intuitively knew that I am to return to working with survivors of trauma, again using qigong.

I had come full circle.

I knew that the conference would put me in touch with experts in the field of trauma. My goal was not only to learn about the latest treatments from these experts, it was also to network and share my dream with other practitioners.

So, I launched a blog on this subject the Sunday before I got on the plane. The 1,000 business cards I ordered had arrived.

I was ready!

OVERVIEW OF NICABM CONFERENCE

This conference is exactly what the doctor ordered!

The 21st International Psychology of Health, Immunity & Disease Conference was held at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and sponsored by The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM).

Who wouldn’t want to look out the window and see the pounding waves rushing to the shore?

Before I go into more detail, in later posts, about all the latest in the field of holistic health, I am going to talk about how this conference provided a safe environment for me.

A reminder that safety is key for anyone who has been traumatized. The very act of trauma takes away all the things that we thought would keep us safe. And, healing will not occur without the survivor feeling safe.

The choice of location was perfect. Miles of beach was located on one side of the Marriott. On the other was miles of green forest with hiking trails. The hotel was 4 star, the service excellent, the food delicate.  And, when I didn’t want to go outside, there was the sauna, the heated indoor pool, and let’s not forget the hot tub.

Oh, yes, let’s not forget that I was at a conference!

What I observed right off was how Ruth M. Buczynski, PhD, President of NICABM and a licensed psychologist set up a safe space for 600-700 people to come together to learn, to teach, to share, to nurture and be nurtured.