THE THERAPEUTIC USE OF RITUAL AND CEREMONY IN THE TREATMENT OF POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER

The therapeutic purposes and effects of specially designed ceremonies in the treatment of persons with post-traumatic stress disorder are de scribed. Ceremonies compartmentalize the review of the trauma, provide symbolic enactments of transformation of previously shattered relatio nships, and reestablish connections among family and with society in g eneral. Four ceremonies used with Vietnam combat veterans are describe d which focus on the themes of separation from and return to the famil y, forgiveness of the living, and releasing the dead. Ritual and cerem ony are highly efficient vehicles for accessing and containing intense emotions evoked by traumatic experience. Evaluation by family and vet erans judge these ceremonies to be the most effective components of tr eatment.