Virtual Reality Treatment for PTSD
November 9, 2009
Hosted by Mary Woods
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Robert Neil McLay is a psychiatrist and the Research Director for the Mental Health Directorate at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Dr. McLay’s primary research interests involve the effects of stress on the brain. He has studied this at the molecular, cellular, behavioral, and clinical levels. He is currently involved in trials examining the use of Virtual Reality in the treatment of PTSD, the genetics of this disorder, and the role of sleep and medications in resilience against combat stress. He is the author of the upcoming book Ghosts and the Machine: stories of Iraq, Afghanistan and Virtual Reality Treatments for PTSD. He served with the Navy at NMCSD, Marine Base Twenty-nine Palms, Naval Hospital Yokosuka, and was deployed with First Marine Division to Iraq in 2008, where he served as the psychiatrist for Camp Fallujah Iraq. While in Iraq was the first provider to use Virtual Reality to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the combat environment.
One Hour AT A Time
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
Recovery, whether it is from substance abuse or a mental illness, or both requires a treatment plan, which in many cases is as effective as treatments for other chronic illnesses. “One Hour AT A Time” will increase awareness about recovery and decrease the discrimination against individuals in the recovery process. Host Mary Woods, will help people understand the recovery of adults and families living with co-occurring substance use disorders and psychotic and/or affective illness over the course of a lifetime. Helping individuals develop the skills and knowledge they need to take personal responsibility for their health and supporting individuals in their efforts to get on with life beyond illness has been Mary’s mission and she now brings that mission to the airwaves.
Mary Woods
Mary is the CEO of WestBridge Community Services. She is also a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with more than 25 years experience in substance abuse services and community mental health programs. Mary has conducted extensive workshops and trainings with a primary focus in Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change Theory and Integrated Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders. She is also a contributor to the development of the Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment Practitioners and Clinical Supervisors Workbook and Practice Demonstration Video. Mary was the Chairperson of the NH State Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professionals. She has been a member of the NH Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor’s Association since 1984, and has served as the Northeast Regional Vice President for the NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals, President of NAADAC and is currently past president of NAADAC.
