Trauma Relief Unlimited
T.R.U. Research Study Conclusions and Recommendations
This Trauma Relief Unlimited, (T.R.U.) Research Study presents scientific data to further support the breakthrough impact of this new and innovative methodology. If the T.R.U. Pilot Report was persuasive, this data is virtually conclusive. As one of my colleagues recently remarked, “The data is so strong it hardly needs statistical analysis” to “prove” the power and effectiveness of T.R.U. That is not to say that further research should not be pursued. In fact, an even broader study will be pursue in 2002. Moreover, a number of research possibilities present themselves, particularly in applying T.R.U. to other populations. For instance, T.R.U. treatment of military trauma, patients in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction, the physically handicapped, those diagnosed bipolar or borderline are just a few areas of possible study.
Although this T.R.U. Research Study should go a long way toward removing any lingering doubts about T.R.U. effectiveness, we welcome further scientific challenge, review and study. What this study did do is meet all the goals of the T.R.U. Pilot Project.
It demonstrated the power of T.R.U. with a larger, more statistically reliable sample. It demonstrated the power of T.R.U. to effect change when matched against and untreated control group. Moreover, the Research Study demonstrated the ability of another therapist, with virtually no prior trauma treatment experience, to get very credible results.
Even more remarkably, she had only short term training. This opens the door to all kinds of possibilities for training other professionals.
In a recent trauma relief literature search, I came across a current article that said seven out of ten Americans are trauma survivors. The article acknowledges that approximately 30% of that group demonstrate P.T.S.D. symptoms. At any rate, one hardly needs to document the current frequency of abuse and trauma. Concerns about domestic violence, school violence, sexual abuse and other forms of trauma are widespread. T.R.U. offers an opportunity to meet these, and other similar, problems head on. Now, the technology exists for brief, powerful and effective intervention. The possible applications of T.R.U. would seem to be virtually endless. The question always exists, will we as a culture put the time, money and human resources toward resolving these problems? We have a way, do we have the will?
From an economic standpoint, T.R.U. offers a great opportunity to address problems of violence and abuse with “cost effectiveness”. The brief intervention nature of T.R.U. could save both time, money and suffering. The fact that T.R.U. is transferable suggests that others could be trained in a relatively short period of time to meet an ever-growing demand for trauma relief and intervention. Moreover, comparisons to other methods seem to suggest that T.R.U. is “easier on the therapist” than thought intensive methods. The fact that symptoms, once eradicated do not recur, suggests the mounting tide of abuse and violence can be abated. Furthermore, “the cycle of abuse”, often generational, can be broken.
At this time, Trauma Relief Unlimited, (T.R.U.) needs the support of all concerned community members to meet even a fraction of some of the problems facing us as a society, many of which are rooted in trauma. At this writing I am grateful, beyond words, for the vision, support and pioneering spirit of the Rhode Island Foundation and for the assistance of Brown University in making this T.R.U. Research Study possible.
