Ross Institute...

Looking to talk to anyone who T has or have had themself/ves any contact with this Institute:

http://forums.psychcentral.com/showt...45#post1156145

Many Thanks,
Hunny

Yes, Hunny, I have been to one of his hospitals several times. I think the trauma program is great. (May be back there soon, even). Let me know any specific questions you may have.
HUGS!

Thanks for responding! Sometimes when I read about these place they seem like in a fiction book somewhere and never hear of anyone's personal experience.

I would like to hear more but for privacy would you like to PM me or you can say here, if you feel comfortable. But in any case, no pressure. I know things are a bit up and down right now.

Hunny










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i have not had any contact personally, but have heard how many people think Colin Ross is like a legend in the field of DID.

Hunny,
If you've read up on it, I will just tell you of my experiences. The trauma program is for anyone with a past of any kinds of trauma/abuse, which obviously includes those with DID. The different groups are usually several teaching about trauma, where it comes from, how you were affected by it. The "active" groups are art therapy, psychodrama, anger management, and a session once or twice a week with Dr. Ross (by video conference if he is not there). Dr. Ross seems to do CBT, which ends up p***ing off half the people he works with! He's good, but I'm not that thrilled with that method of therapy. However, the other groups are great in that you can work through your trauma, get feelings out to deal with them, but you are in charge of staying grounded even if dealing with an alter (they will help with that). The trauma model that Dr. Ross has created really makes sense and I have gotten a lot of insight from being there. That's the program in a nutshell.

Now, for my input:
I have learned a lot about myself in his trauma program. I have learned different ways of looking at myself, and what happened. When someone else works in the groups it helps you to work on your own stuff too, because usually there is some similiarity. What I have really gotten the most from is being with other people who have similar problems as I do. I think that has helped me the most; to hear others, how they think/feel as a result of their trauma, how they struggle in life, and solutions they have found as well.
I have been to 2 different hospitals, but I prefer this program because of the way it deals with trauma, and "believes" in DID. It is very validating.

Of course, it still is a psych hospital! You are watched constantly, are limited as to what you can have, the showers suck, and also the crabby staff possibility! There are also (at least where I go) patients with other disorders, including psychosis which makes it a little tense at times. (I do not mean to offend anyone, but sometimes is has gotten a little scary when someone is out of control.) But, overall the patients and staff I've met are very helpful.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents, and I will answer any questions you want to throw my way. I also have a good grasp on the trauma model and its aspects, so I can help with that too.

Wow, Complic8d,

Thank you for sharing. Your observations are very interesting to me.

"What I have really gotten the most from is being with other people who have similar problems as I do. I think that has helped me the most; to hear others, how they think/feel as a result of their trauma, how they struggle in life, and solutions they have found as well."

This was of particular interest to me because of how we kind of model that in the Forums here on PC. I can really see that there is much to be learned from each other.

"I also have a good grasp on the trauma model and its aspects, so I can help with that too"

It seems you are a wealth of knowledge and it is so wonderful to know you. I will think of some question and if you think I am missing out on something through this mode of cyber communicating please feel free to let me know.


Many, many thank,

Hunny





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complic8d, did you go to the Texas branch? When you say the trauma model are you talking about the model based on the triangle of perp, victim, rescuer? We worked extensively on that Hunny and I found I learned a trememdous amount of info. that I also could apply to my system and healing. I worked with Dr. Ross once over the video conferencing device. It was intense. I wish "i" the host could remember more. Those that were there (my peers) said stuff to me afterward that made me realize he was completely talking to an alter that I was not co-concious with.

I agree CBT seems to be what a lot of the work is based on. I happen to like this approach as opposed to DBT.
Sorry for going off topic somewhat.

That is wonderful you guys have had great results from the Ross Institute..

I did not find this to be true and I knew him in 1993 and then saw him in Dallas at another place he was at and I thought he had gotton worse.

So it's good to see you found someone who has found his place to be great. At one time there were 7 treatment places in the states but now know of only 3 and 2 of them are his. So it is good to have someone to go to then no one at all...

But I am glad you gound out your information Hunny...ThaCrew

Glad to help!
Yep, I am talking about the triangle, DLH. Makes sense to me, (except of course I still can't figure out how to "step out" of it).
I go to the hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It's one of our local hospitals to go to in crisis, so I was lucky to end up at that one particularly. I have been there so many times I think I can teach the model.
I am happy to answer any questions about it, and my experiences there.

And, you are right, Hunny, I think that is one of the reasons this forum is so helpful, people understand! Once when I was there, this other patient and her view of the world, how she handled/ thought about situations, where she was emotionally, her confusion, was so much like me. When I told her that is how I think/feel/react, she was so relieved to know she wasn't the only one. I could relate to her so much, and it made us both feel "better"= not alone. Like I said, this seems to be very therapeutic.

HUGS to all!!!

DHL & Complic8d & Iamtwilight & Crew:

"The model based on the triangle of perp, victim, rescuer"

Very interesting words with loaded meaning behind them and then stepping out of the triangle, hmmmm?

Complic8d:

"And, you are right, Hunny, I think that is one of the reasons this forum is so helpful, people understand! Once when I was there, this other patient and her view of the world, how she handled/ thought about situations, where she was emotionally, her confusion, was so much like me. When I told her that is how I think/feel/react, she was so relieved to know she wasn't the only one. I could relate to her so much, and it made us both feel "better"= not alone. Like I said, this seems to be very therapeutic."


Isn't it true, Complic8d, when we meet those of similarity, how comforting and reassuring it can be. And breaking the silence of lonliness is a tremendous factor in that. I must admit when we first came here to PC, I behaved liked a person who had gone without water for days! I filled up on all that I could from all sources and we felt so warmed by the kindness of the people on this forum. Being less lonely is therapeutic!

Thanks to both of you for sharing and here's hoping to hearing more about all you have learned and could probably teach!


Hunny




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I didn't go to a Ross Institute but to another Trauma Center that seems to be similar to what you are talking about--and also uses CBT (sometimes helpful, but not always)
I learned alot, did well, and tried to incorporate what was learned---very hard to do when there is no support.

The thing that bothers me the most is that one has to be in "crisis" in order to access this kind of help. Or "lie" about it to stay the length of time you need to really benefit from it. Don't know if it is the insurance or what.
I could use a stay right now myself, but private hospitals are expensive, I am not a danger to self or others(nor any of my insiders) and the place I have gone is 2 days drive.

Sorry this is off topic, but it's one of my "it's not fair" buttons--need, want and am in a place where I can work on my stuff without the "crisis" mode activated and can't get into the program unless I am in crisis and it takes several days to be able to work the program---grrrrrrr

white iris I understand you completely. I was on medicare when I was able to attend. I saw many people with private insurance that had to go through a song and dance every 3 or 4 days. They couldn't really "settle in" and work the program. Many parts of me feel so safe at that hospital and want to go often although this is changing. I am not sure if this is because I have very few medicare life time mental health days left or if it is because I am at a different place in my healing journey. I think I would still want to go if I could...

ThaCrew may I ask what it was that turned you off about the places you went that were connected to or had Dr. Ross speak at? I was wondering if it was his personality (he certainly comes off conceited to a lot of our insiders) or his theories and points of view concerning trauma and DID?
I think it is really important to have views from both sides posted here.
MY question is why is he so well known? Because he has very good research on DID and related issues or because he sells himself well and there are not that many Dr.'s in the field?

What do you all think?

quote DLH: "(he certainly comes off conceited to a lot of our insiders)"

He seems that way to me too. I won't work with him because he seems so arrogant, and his CBT makes it seem like he's got it all sewn up, so easy.

quote DLH: "MY question is why is he so well known? Because he has very good research on DID and related issues or because he sells himself well and there are not that many Dr.'s in the field?"

GOOD QUESTION!
His trauma model makes sense, so I guess it works for me (especially attachment to the perpetrator). But, true enough, there probably aren't that many "competitors"?

I realize no one asked me this question but I wanted to add that Colin Ross has a skewed view on things like SRA. We tried to get help for a friend, called him and he replied the the particular issue my friend was experiencing, did not exist. My view of him changed for the worse after that.

we dont like colin ross either because he thinks his program is THE program and nobody knows anything if they arent doing his program...well, we dont function well with cbt...it is too cut and dried...seems his program needs to fast forward to the 2009 year and develop some new ways of helping us...cbt was introduced by Dr Low...and is used in the cbt program here at one psych hospital in Grand Rapids...the other psych hospital doesnt really know how to reach DID patients, but they use a crisis intervention program that gets down to the nitty gritty without focusing on the victimization events...it has been helpful to me to be at this hospital...such is our encounters with Dr Ross and his program...

Jewels

Thanks to all for your input... There are more questions out of this but will need to formulate them and put them in another posting...


Your experiences are most valuable to hear.

Hunny













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