SPT-Fall2014

ody alignment is a crucial step to body
mindfulness because it allows the energy
to flow through the body thus regulating
the nervous system.
In the second part of the workshop, Dr.
Rand demonstrates a breathing technique
with a focus on pressure points. In the
third part, she proceeds to demonstrate the
chest exercise technique and the
abdominal breathing technique to ensure
proper neural network and a smooth flow
of energy. The workshop ends with part
four comprised of discussions and
feedbacks from the participants. During
the course of the workshop, Dr. Rand
explains the vitality and the benefits of
Body Mindfulness. She also encourages
continuing the techniques on a regular
basis for improvement in both physical
and mental health. The workshop is easy
to follow, introduces the participants to
the ideas of Body Mindfulness, and
allows them to go through some of the
preliminary steps and techniques.
Body Mindfulness is relevant for people
of all ages from children to the elderly.
Dr. Rand encourages people to follow the
routine as a family or as couples.
According to Dr. Rand, this would have a
significant positive impact on the
relationship and family. The DVD is
designed for beginners with no prior
knowledge.
Focalizing
Source Energy:
Going Within
to Move
Beyond
By Michael
Picucci. 2012
Reviewed by:
Rachel Vitale,
New York
University
Flip past the beautiful color explosion of
bold orange and cooling blues on the
cover, and dive into an intense interaction
between client and therapist. Michael
Picucci offers four moving pieces, each
broken into two parts: one part written
from the perspective of the client, and the
other written from the perspective of the
therapist. This powerful introduction not
only prepares the reader for what’s to
come next, but it allows for an
understanding of why one would pick up
this book to begin with. It sets a sort of let
-me-take-care-of-you tone. Or even a, letme-help-you-help-yourself
type essence.
Are you feeling lost, insecure, unsure? Do
you feel a disconnection between yourself
and others, maybe even between your
mind and body? This book is meant to lift
you up and place you down right where
you want to be. That much is clear just
from reading the introduction.
These client-therapist sessions highlight
the concept of trust in oneself and trust in
others, which is also a key theme
throughout the book. Understanding the
importance of trust will bring readers
closer to an understanding of source
energy. Following the introduction is a
chapter devoted entirely to source energy.
For those who are not familiar with this
concept, the book provides a detailed
explanation covering everything from
what it means to how to embody this
force. Whether you’re a twenty-one year
old college student who’s never heard the
term source energy or a middle-aged
therapist who’s been practicing for years,
this book tries to speak to you in whatever
way you need in that given moment.
The remainder of the book analyzes
source energy in even more detail, going
into what blocks source energy, along
with how to awaken this energy. The book
is concluded by a note from the author,
which is my personal favorite part. It’s not
simply what words the author chooses to
leave his readers with, but more so the
pure honesty that you can hear behind
each page. This is an honest concept
written by an honest therapist crafted into
an honest book. And honestly, it’s good.
What is PTSD? 3 Steps to Healing
Trauma
By Anna Baranoksky and Teresa Lauer.
2012.
Reviewed by: Rachel Vitale, NYU
Dr. Anna Baranowsky and Teresa Lauer,
LMHC have come together to write a selfhelp
manual that both educates one on
what exactly Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder is, and how to go about treating
oneself. The most important feature of
this book is the explanation of PTSD.
PTSD is a disorder often heard in
reference to the men and women who
have served their countries in the armed
forces. It is often publicized on the news
and other forms of media. The detailed
description of this disorder that the book
provides is better informed than any
information a news broadcast can bring.
The authors use soft, nurturing language
throughout the book to make their readers
feel calm, almost at ease. It’s almost as if
to say, “Don’t worry, we know.
Everything will be ok.”
The main idea presented in this book is
that there are three essential steps to
healing the trauma inflicted on oneself by
PTSD. The first step is to find comfort.
The authors explain that by finding a
stable support system, it will be that much
easier for an individual to gain selfconfidence
and overcome trauma. The
second step is to remember the trauma.
This step appears to be the most difficult
of the three, but through Baranowsky and
Lauer’s kind, encouraging words, readers
will feel as if they are being taken by the
hand through an unforgettable journey.
Being able to remember one’s trauma
means that one is ready and able to face it.
It is only then that an individual can move
on to the third and final step of
overcoming trauma.
The third step is, as the authors phrase it,
“begin to live again!” Once an individual
is able to find a team of support in which
comfort is most felt, the trauma can be
faced head on, and in turn, the person can
begin to finally live life again to the
fullest. Never have I read a book that
made battling a disorder feel so uplifting.
Somatic Psychotherapy Today | Fall 2014 | Volume 4 Number 2 | page 103