sally bayer
Altadena, CA (USA)
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Location:
Altadena
Industry:
Healthcare
Year Founded:
2010
Number Employees:
1-10 people
Description:
Annie’s Center for the Treatment of Trauma
Sally Bayer
Having been in private practice as a psychotherapist, and a supervisor in another counseling center since 1986, I have witnessed, heard of, and read about countless individuals struggling with the effects of trauma that ranges from war, earthquakes, great personal loss to physical and/or sexual assault. With a knowledgeable and caring therapist, these traumatized adults have worked tirelessly to adjust, to return to work, re-engage with families, and to re-experience the energy to live and to be productive. Statistics tell us that 95% of North American adults will experience a significant trauma in their lives (ISSTD, Chicago Conference, 2008). Without treatment serious trauma often results in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The most effective treatment for PTSD is immediate, skilled intervention. Immediacy is crucial
The trauma of child abuse is, sadly, not as easy to treat or to track. Children frequently cannot talk because they don’t have the words to describe what is happening to them (Sidoli and Blakemore, 2000), or because they have been ingrained with threats such as, “better not tell or someone will get hurt or killed” (Haddock, 2001). Such terror builds within the psyche of the child that he or she slips through childhood with friends, neighbors or relatives never suspecting the predicament of the child. The child learns to dissociate in an effort to deal with the unspeakable trauma being perpetrated on them. This childhood coping skill then becomes an adult trauma disorder. The levels of trauma-related disorders are rated on a scale ranging from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), to several Dissociative Disorders and, at the high end of the scale, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) (Steinberg Dissociative Questionnaire).
Statistically, one in every three girls is being abused and one in six every boys is being abused (Haddock, 2001). It is notable here that these are reported cases only and that the stats come from the population of adults in in-patient situations (Haddock, 2001). These institutionalized patients are often diagnosed with a variety of disorders; ranging from Borderline Personality Disorder, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Substance Abuse. Institutionalized patients are often misdiagnosed or over diagnosed, and may be prescribed enough medication to put them into a limited mental functioning state (Ross 2006). To complicate the picture, some of the diagnoses given do include some of the Disorders listed above. There is frequently a hesitancy to state the core diagnosis of a dissociative disorder which is, in many cases, DID. Proper diagnosis of trauma-related disorders gives the survivor an excellent start towards healing. Many therapists do not feel adequate to treat the mysteries and complexities inherent in the diagnosis of DID (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder). Therapists are overwhelmed by the sensationalization of DID in the media, on television, and in movies. They may report being afraid to work with this population, and will not work for the very low fees affordable by these men and women. Thus, those with DID have never found a therapist who can help them heal. This leaves countless individuals without appropriate, timely, and effective intervention (Malchiodi, 2002). One of the most visible examples one can see are those who cannot get the help that they need and have become the homeless people in the larger cities.
Treatment for all traumatic disorders can be effective at the right time, in the right environment and with a skilled therapist. The therapists for early trauma must have knowledge of childhood development (Sidoli and Blakemore, 2000). They must have the patience and fortitude to be still and present for the nightmares of the very young in the adult body. They must be willing to treat the patient multiple times per week for an extended period of time. Trauma-related disorders have many treatment modalities that are effective when the therapeutic relationship is a trusting relationship. Two noted healing factors for them, coming into the forefront, are serenity of the environment and, whenever possible, warm water therapy to help relax muscles and sooth nerves that have etiology in both psychic and physical trauma (Charness, Aquatic Therapy Section; APTA, Biomechanics Desk reference).
Julie Widman
Dr. Bayer received a class action settlement from a heart attack she had in 2002. Seeing a great need for the effective diagnosis and treatment of trauma survivors, we have used this settlement to create an outpatient clinic where trauma survivors will have a chance to heal in a in a holistic treatment setting using both the body and the mind to achieve helpful steps towards recovery. We have taken a cottage in the backyard and expanded it to have two treatment rooms, a kitchenette and a bath. The yard is serene and peaceful. There are places for privacy, art therapy and quiet conversation. We are now interviewing 15 trauma therapists 4 of whom will share rent on two rooms, treat trauma patients, and participate in weekly supervision and research.
We are stuck now. Half way through the project a contractor literally disappeared with $86,000 of our funds. Our dream was to begin here in this small but well equipped facility and move to a larger facility in two years. We have spent (or had stolen) all the money we have. We have gotten as far as we can. There is still no warm water therapy pool and we have other basic operating needs as well.
How do we treat those who cannot pay? The neediest, and often the most determined to heal, rarely get effective treatment. Treatment for PTSD and DID is costly in our public mental health institutions. The impact for adults and children on Social Services is heavy. Therapists who work for Social Services with whom we have talked or supervised are exhausted. Their case loads are too large to allow them to see people more than 45 minutes at the most per week. There is not enough money to give each individual and family the intensive and appropriate treatment they need to become functioning members of our communities. As noted before, the most effective treatment for trauma related disorders entails multiple sessions per week for an extender period of time.
Starting here, on a small scale, and, yes, with private funding, our goal is to start the ball rolling with a goal for significant expansion in the future. We will direct the care to our target population. We will train some of the most skilled and published therapists in the area on how to work with the full range of trauma disorders. They will learn how to work with innovation, skill, and creativity. They will participate in weekly supervision and research. With all of these elements in place, the optimal environment for the most successful treatment of trauma related disorders will be practiced.
Initial Start-Up Costs:
Two Computers $4,000
Two Printers $500.00
Two Color Printers $1,000
Warm Water Therapy Pool $5000
Pool Enclosure $35,000
Supervision window with monitor and camera $2,500
Security System $5,000
TOTAL: $51,500
Yearly Operating Expenses:
Warm water therapy pool maintenance $1,200
($100/mo.)
Aqua therapist ($2800/mo, $700/wk @ $70/hr for 10 hr/wk
8 Patient Sponsorships $69,120/yr
($180 per patient, for 2 therapy sessions and 1 activity session / wk)
Psychiatrist $8,000
(Evaluation of patients 1x every 3months excluding emergencies = 8hrs.x $250/hr. = $2,000 quarterly)
Website $5,040
($420/month = $10/hr. x 8hrs./wk. + $100/mo. web fees)
Advertising $6,000
($500/mo.)
Phone/internet $3,000
($250/mo.)
Bookkeeper/Receptionist $21,120
($1,760/mo. = $11/hr. x 40hrs./wk.)
Groundskeeper $6,000
($200/mo.)
TOTAL: $ 153,080 /year
Thank you for your help and/or any referrals that you can offer.
Dr. Sally Bayer – Founder and Supervisor
Julie Ann Widman – Executive Director
February 2, 2010