2013-2014 Project Outline
Phase I - Research
Raise funds to conduct an independent study of 120-150 Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam War veterans to establish the efficacy of a method called Rapidly Accelerated Mind Patterning (RAMP) in treating moderate to severe post traumatic stress.
The goal of further research is to determine in independent clinical trials the efficacy of the method for combat veterans and active duty service members experiencing moderate to severe symptoms and to determine the number of treatments required for complete symptom remission in extreme cases of post traumatic stress.
The study will be conducted through Waylon Baptist University by Dr. Sherry Buffington, psychologist, director of The Foundation for Positive Change and the developer of the Rapidly Accelerated Mind Patterning (RAMP) method. Independent evaluators, all of whom are licensed counselors and professors at Waylon Baptist University, will confirm a PTSD diagnosis and its severity using standard DSM-IV stressor criterion and the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS), and will follow up with subjects over a 12 month period post treatment using (SUDS). The study will include pre-treatment evaluations, treatment and post-treatment evaluations at 14, 30 and 90 day intervals with a final follow up at 12 months.
Phase II – Reframe Public Perception of Post Traumatic Stress
In attempting to recruit volunteers into the Phase-I research program, we found that there is great resistance to seeking treatment even when it is offered free and confidentially. We have uncovered three primary reasons for reluctance to seek treatment: (1) the “be tough” military culture which remains beyond active duty, (2) the fear of the stigma attached to the “disorder” label or the suggestion that post traumatic stress is a mental illness, and (3) the perception that treatment, such as exposure therapy and stress inoculation, is brutal and largely ineffective.
We have begun a campaign to reframe post traumatic stress as a natural and beneficial response to traumatic events which, when properly redirected, becomes an effective success strategy. Our goal is to change the public perception of post traumatic stress so it is properly viewed as an effective defense response rather than a disorder so veterans, active duty military personnel, police officers, firefighters, first responders and other public servants who are frequently exposed to traumatic events will readily seek treatment rather than avoiding it for fear of being stigmatized as is now occurring.
Our outreach program will include social media, public service announcements, advertisement and presentations to veteran groups. Our research to date suggests that post traumatic stress symptoms can be alleviated in as little as an hour, and replaced with effective success strategies for navigating everyday life and business.
Phase III - Training
Provide partial or full scholarships for RAMP training to qualified individuals, such as mental health professionals and counselors who regularly interact with veterans suffering from post traumatic stress. The criteria for scholarships are that the student:
- Is already in a profession or is a graduate of a degree program which provides foundational preparation for post traumatic stress treatment
- Demonstrates dedication to continued service in the mental health industry
- Agrees treat a minimum 50 veterans or active duty military personnel with post traumatic stress free of charge within a two year period upon completion of training
- Agrees to submit pre and post session data on a minimum of 30 subjects for research purposes over a two year period
This is a 9 month intensive training program which is already established and proven successful. It includes rigorous training, monitored field practice, coaching and mentoring, and on-site visits where applicable to ensure students are proficient. To be licensed, students must demonstrate proficiency in the RAMP method. To retain their license, practitioners are required to complete 8 hours of continuing education each year or show evidence of continued effective use of the method.
Our goal is to raise funds to provide full scholarships and training to 200 qualified students per year for three years. The cost to treat post traumatic stress in veterans and military personnel currently averages $8,300 per person according to a December, 2012 Department of Defense report. Once trained, 600 practitioners will treat 30,000 veterans free of charge as a condition of receiving scholarships. This brings the cost of treatment through the scholarship program down to just $390 per person – less than 5% of the current cost. More importantly, the time spent in treatment can be reduced to a few hours rather than months or years.
Contact Dr. Sherry Buffington at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Office 214-810-9390 Cell 214-883-5863
Your donation can help change the life of our heroes and their families. Please contribute. Your donations provide the resources needed to help veterans or active duty service members recover for the trauma of war and live the full, rich lives they deserve.