As a therapist who works with many trauma survivors, I believe this book should be required reading for every clinician. Survivors will be able to feel validated in their suffering, understand why talking alone has not helped, and access clear ways to move past their symptoms.
Invisible Heroes
Invisible Heroes: Survivors of Trauma and How They Heal, is a scientifically based book that teaches the therapeutic methods of guided imagery in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After reading a very positive review in Publisher's Weekly, I had high expectations for a groundbreaking book. What I found was a paradox of superb prose, metaphysical grand theft, and a text sometimes as laborious to read as the federal tax code.
To my utter surprise, the cutting edge imagery described in Invisible Heroes is really hybridized Buddhist-Vedic mediation techniques that have been used for thousands of years. What Belleruth Naparstek and her colleagues have done is to create a type of clinical Buddhism. The author explains the similarity of guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, and general meditation. She is careful to draw a clear distinction between guided imagery and the more New Age field of visualization. Make no mistake, they are the same thing; the only differences between guided imagery, visualization, and meditation is their name. Guided imagery is the medical establishment's preferred designation, as visualization and meditation are perceived as New Age and spiritual. It's apparent that the author has studied and collaborated with some experts in meditation.
It's also perfectly understandable and reasonable that Naparstek presents her broad-based imagery program and methods as non-religious so as to attract the widest audience. However, it's patently obvious that the techniques presented in Invisible Heroes incorporate dhyana meditation (focus on a singular point/idea for spiritual liberation), a mild form of yogic breath control for maximum relaxation, and some good old-fashioned self-hypnosis. These well-known and ancient Buddhist-Vedic practices have been repackaged into an expedient, modern clinical therapy, replete with up-to-the-minute medical jargon and supporting science. The true origins of her imagery should pose no obstacle to the end user because the methods are effective, regardless of the terminology. Her therapy adapted for resolving psychological disorder rather than for cancer treatment, is virtually indistinguishable from the Simonton Method of guided imagery that came out in the early 70s.
What is presented in Invisible Heroes is well written and solid, but not really new. The guided imagery scenarios she presents are open-ended and gentle. They have also proven to be extremely beneficial to sufferers of PTSD. What's fascinating about this book is the effect of guided imagery on brain chemistry. Her rock-solid scientific approach makes it hard for skeptics to dismiss her thesis. With that said, there are a number of other contemporary books that explore guided imagery with equal depth, efficiency, and that include possible answers as to why tragedy occurred to begin with and how to cut that suffering at an even deeper level. A few examples of groundbreaking mind-body healing books include "Creative Visualization" by Shakti Gawain; "Quantum Healing" by Deepak Chopra; "Modern Buddhist Healing" by Charles Atkins; "Love, Medicine & Miracles" by Bernie Siegel, M.D; "The Relaxation Response" by Hebert Benson, M.D; and "Healing Yourself" by Martin Rossman - to name a few."
With all the new cases of PTSD returning from Iraq - not to mention the dearth of undiagnosed Viet Nam veterans still wrestling with what the old-timers used to call "shell shock", this book is sound in principle, helpful, and important.
