PTSD is not a disorder or an illness,

PTSD is an injury that heal!

Managing Emotional States Effectively© is a psychotherapeutic approach that utilizes neuro-biology principles to address an individual’s emotional and somatic responses associated with Post Traumatic Stress, Depression, Anxiety, as well any other distressing issue.

MESE is a tool that helps individuals change their emotional and physical responses to difficult events caused by what the individual’s brain has perceived as trauma.

The MESE practitioner directs the client through a protocol tailored to the individual’s needs. The client will maintain control of what is being processed, as they will not have to share details of the event like they would in talk therapy. The individual will be guided through the memory as quickly as possible to limit the amount of exposure to the distressing event.

After completion of the protocol, the individual will have gained new or changed awareness of the presenting issue, while simultaneously teaching their brain to interact differently with the event. Reprocessing past events in this manner also positively impacts the way once triggering situations and memories are experienced in the future.

How MESE Works

Meet the Creators

  • Dr. Frank Ochberg

    Dr. Frank Ochberg is a founding board member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and recipient of their highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award. He edited the first text on treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and served on the committee that defined PTSD. He was associate director of the National Institute of Mental Health and director of the Michigan Mental Health Department. Dr. Frank’s life goal is to help those suffering with PTSD live fulfilling, peaceful lives with hope and purpose.

  • Kari Russo, LMHC, LMFT

    Kari Russo serves as the Director of the First Orlando Counseling Center and is committed to delivering excellent mental health care both in her personal practice and through training of other mental health professionals. Passionate about rescuing those trapped by the effects of trauma, Kari is on the cutting edge of counseling and psychology practices. She co-hosts the Life After PTSD podcast and is certified to practice and educate others in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), EMDR, RTM, tf-NLP, and MESE.

  • Edward Maerkl

    Edward Maerkl is a Veteran, First Responder and has been serving his community for over 20 years. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. His active research in trauma, puts him as a forerunner in healing the invisible wounds of trauma. He is a Master Instructor for the International Association of Fire Fighters. Ed’s experience working with people in difficult circumstances including trauma, mass casualty, suicide, and natural disaster gives him a unique insight to help give those feeling hopeless, a true sense of hope.

MESE Momentum Meeting