9/11 LCATS defense letter--call to action

[Guest guest]

I also spoke to Ms.McLean this week. Although I do not have a 9/11

client I was compelled to learn more about our exclusion from benefits

after a post to this listserv in May. I got the " evidence-based "

answer as well and wondered, as G. did, whether there was

specific evidence-based literature for Psychoanalysts working with

trauma, as I know they have similar challenges in " proving " their

methods quantitatively. She was also silent to this response.

I THINK THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM IS THAT THEY ARE VIEWING THE CREATIVE

ARTS AS A MODALITY that needs to be proven effective--much like one

goes about proving CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) or other

specific interventions. This is erroneous and presumes that we do not

resource the abundance of general knowledge on effective trauma

treatment. Certainly sending her more literature and research is

helpful, but EDUCATING the decision-makers about our fields is

critical. They clearly do not get what we do.

I am drafting a personal letter in defense of our wider knowledge

base, shared curriculum with all other mental health professions (ie.

human development, psychopathology, clinical practice methods,

psychoanalytic theory, etc) and the problem of the agency viewing

LCATS through such a narrow lens. I would be happy to share and

collaborate with others OFF LIST. Please e-mail me at

drena@....

I think it would also be wise to create a letter than can be

circulated and signed by the LCAT community at large.

Drena Fagen

drena@...