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Listening to our own story, and sharing it in a healing context, connects us with our authentic being and true self. There is now an emerging movement in medicine called “Narrative medicine” with degree and certification programs offered at Columbia University. Narrative medicine addresses the need of patients and caregivers to voice their experience, to be heard and to be valued, and it acknowledges the power of narrative to change the way care is given and received. 

Narrative medicine helps physicians, nurses, social workers, mental health professionals, chaplains, social workers, academics, and all those interested in the intersection between narrative practice and medicine to improve the effectiveness of care by developing these skills with patients and colleagues.

While I was teaching at Omega, there was a women's leadership conference going on. As part of the conference, there was a presentation that was open to the entire Omega community. The topic of that lecture caught my attention and I decided to attend. The talk title was, “The Importance of Telling Your Story."

The presenter shared her history of childhood stress and health issues and her healing journey which included sharing her story as a major component of healing process. As a result of her own journey, she has become passionate about encouraging others, especially women, to tell their stories as a mode of personal growth and healing. 

Her passion, purpose and teachings are simple, yet they offer a profoundly healing and therapeutic message. She emphasized the importance of, “No repressing and No suppressing” but instead “Expressing and Progressing!" 

After she spoke I went up to her to share that I was at Omega teaching that very same concept to Drs. and Therapists seeking to treat the whole person and integrate mind and body, biography and biology and the cell and the self.

I shared with her that what she was sharing was now evidence-based medicine and related to her the latest research on the impact of childhood trauma on health and disease. We had a fantastic discussion about the hidden epidemic of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), how to heal trauma as a way to heal our bodies and lives and the importance of cultivating resilience.

Imagine my surprise when I learned that I was talking to none-other than the first lady of Canada, Sophie Trudeau!  She is a wise woman who gave an excellent and inspirational talk. Now she travels the world, delivering her inspirational message of courage, hope and healing with passion and purpose. I will never forget my discussion with Ms. Trudeau!

A pioneer who has advanced our knowledge about the healing power of telling your story is Rachel Naomi Remen, MD. She says, “There's a real need for people to tell their stories, to listen to others and to feel that they've been heard in turn. That’s essential to healing, to becoming whole." I couldn't agree more.

I am immensely grateful to Dr. Remen for her pioneering work in this field. She has led the way in "narrative medicine" and the understanding that telling your story is actual medicine!

I encourage you to find ways to tell your story as part of your healing journey. Write in a journal, work with a therapist, write your own biography and share it with a trusted friend. Share your story as a way of facing and acknowledging what has happened to you in your life, and always remember the thoughts of Carl Jung, “You are not what happened to you. You are what you choose to become.”

Paul Epstein, ND

Mindful Healing: Mind-Body Integrative Medicine

epsteinmb@aol.com

www.DrPaulEpstein.com

(203) 226-3923 

Make sure and check my  event calendar  regularly for details on all my upcoming classes, lectures, workshops and Webinars.

 

Patient Appointments Available via Skype

In addition to my local, private practice in Westport, CT, I also see patients from all over the world via Skype. Distance and time zone differences don't need to be a barrier to getting the help you need to facilitate your healing journey!

Take the first step towards your optimum health and healing: Call today to set up a Skype appointment!

Mentoring Sessions Available via Skype

An important part of my work is to mentor health care practitioners, students and physicians to become more fully Integrative in their approach to caring for their patients and clients. 

Skype is a wonderful way to hold these sessions - convenient and easy!

If you are interested in learning life changing Mind-Body Therapies to add to your practice, call today to discuss a mentoring session, or mentoring program!