When we arrive at module three, we are ready to talk directly about post-traumatic stress and its symptoms. And what should immediately become apparent is that all of the foundational skills for post-traumatic stress recovery have already been learned. So now, as post-traumatic stress is discussed directly for the first time, most of the foundational work has already been accomplished! Aha!

You learn that post-traumatic stress is a normal response to an abnormal situation. So, for post-traumatic stress sufferers, it is important to recognize, “You are okay. You are normal.” Post-traumatic stress is defined as anxiety and disassociation. Anxiety is defined as the stress response, and disassociation is not being in the present. The simplicity of the “problem” is emphasized. These are simple mechanisms that can be overcome with understanding and applied awareness. Next, we learn about memory, as it relates to trauma and disassociation. Post-traumatic stress is then described as a sequence of consistent features. And recognizing this, can help you to recognize the onset of post-traumatic stress symptoms and experiences. Again, we emphasize the simplicity of the process. Rhythm talks about the common experiences of post-traumatic stress, especially guilt and shame. A Handbook exercise describes how the common experiences can be shared with others, and invites the reader to list post-traumatic stress symptoms.

A Handbook exercise then demonstrates how the previously described symptoms can be reframed as simple physiological responses within the body.

In Rhythm, I tell a story about my Great Aunt Anna and talk about love, values, and the rawness of experience. I demonstrate that we, as human beings, have the power to both regulate our nervous systems and reframe our experience. In a prelude to the overview of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in module four, the Handbook explores faulty beliefs that we may have layered on top of physiological responses to trauma. Next, we recognize the greater context of safety that the faulty beliefs were not aware of. Then, a hypnotic teaching story, The Girl Who Stood Up to the Wind, describes how a girl in 17th century Holland was able to face a distressing situation, observe her body’s physiological responses to it, and experience the confidence of successfully transforming her awareness of physiological responses into calm healthy breathing. This process is explained in a simple, step-by-step, sequence that many people “just like you and me have used successfully to overcome post-traumatic stress.” The Handbook reiterates the simple process for facing and overcoming symptoms. In the audio portion, we review the information and processes that we have learned. It should be apparent that our understandings and processes create a system for working though a number of distressing post-traumatic stress symptoms. Aha!
However, assistance may be needed, and that is why it is discussed next, on module four (resources and community.) Module three concludes with a hypnotic healing narrative, The Story of the Chinese Farmer. This folktale describes the proper attitude for healing and recovery. And frames these teachings and any potentially traumatic incident in the wider perspective of the wisdom of patient non-judgmental presence.