Highlights of the 2011 APPPAH Congress

By Barbara Findeisen, M.F.T.

Since the beginning of STAR, we have been on the cutting edge exploring birth and our earliest imprints. As research emerges, we apply it and find creative ways to include it in the program. I recently had the experience of being informed and inspired at a conference in San Francisco called Echoes from the Womb. Here are a few highlights that inspired me.

Bruce Lipton, Ph. D., was one of the presenters. He spoke of research revealing that from the beginning in the womb, cells are responding to the mother's environment and are either in growth or protection. Identical cells placed in separate petri dishes, one nurturing and one toxic, adapt to the environment one cell thriving and the other in survival. He says we are a community of trillions of cells communicating within a body. I wondered what my internal environment was like…toxic or nurturing? Fortunately we can make changes.

 Gabor Mate, M.D., was another speaker. He recounted how his earliest pre- and perinatal experience set a template for his life until, in therapy he uncovered the ongoing emotional impact of surviving in his mother’s very real environment of terror. He stressed the importance of dealing with unconscious memories to release repressed emotions to be free of their influence. STAR provides the safe environment for individuals to do that. Here are a few quotes from Gabor: "Chronic self-attack confuses the immune system...any disruption in the relationship (with caregiver)....will cause turbulence in the internal world." It is not healthy on any level to live with repression.

 Raylene Phillips, M.D., is head of a very large Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in California. Dr. Phillips invites the parents to be an active part of her team and allows them round-the-clock access to hold, comfort, and stay with their babies. She shared research which reveals that skin-to-skin holding of babies affirms the bonding and supports secure attachment. They feel safer. Everybody does. It is no surprise to me that being held in the secure arms of a loving person when you are helpless and small makes a difference in the way relationships are later experienced. As Dr. Mate says, "Our coping styles are formed in our earliest experiences.” In a challenging environment, Dr. Phillips is doing wonderful prevention work which will echo in the years to follow.

Diana came down to the Congress and set up a really lovely exhibit table for the STAR Foundation. We were well represented at the Congress. I especially want to thank the volunteers who came to be our ambassadors at the table: Roberta Owen, Annie Brower, Kirk Danilson, Mark Block, and Gretchen Werner, the overall STAR Grad in charge. A special thank you goes to Kim Shipway who volunteered to help with the computers and taping of the various speakers. It was a big help and fun for me to have them show up and be so helpful.

Have a very Happy Holiday and blessings to you all,

Barbara