Love in the Age of Terrorism

NEW YORK, NY, August 27, 2011 (Press-News.org) As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 looms, noted New York clinical psychologist Dr. Judy Kuriansky isavailable to talk about the impact of this marker event on couples and children worldwide, and about an upcoming event connecting children in trauma zones. Dr. Judy, as she is fondly known from TV and radio, provided mental health support at Ground Zero and the Family Assistance Center after the World Trade Center attacks and was featured in a Red Cross PSA. In her Global Kids Connect Project, kids from trauma zones exchange dolls to show caring. On September 8th, kids in New York City will make dolls for kids in Haiti and Japan (see below).

Dr. Judy can address the following points:
• What are "Anniversary Reactions?" Reactions around the date of a past traumatic event or emotionally charged episode when individuals re-experience strong symptoms.
• How have relationships changed because of 9/11? In a survey, 2/3 of women and men want more connection with their partner, but others withdraw from love and sex and don't want children. Couple trouble comes from opposite coping styles: "Avoiders" who want to escape being reminded about the event versus "Talkers" who want to review every detail and feeling.
• What are ways to make your relationship better on the 9/11 anniversary? Dr. Judy gives 10 tips, including: accept differences; help each other feel safe; hug and hold.
• Singles are in danger of "Terror Sex"- casual sex because of an uncertain future.
• Children can have symptoms, including nightmares and stomach aches, and refuse to go to school.
• How will the 10th anniversary impact people globally? Helping after many disasters (Hurricane Katrina, bombings in the Middle East, earthquakes in Haiti and China), Dr. Judy notes similar reactions.
• What is "guerrilla counseling" after 9/11? People at the site asked Dr. Judy questions, e.g. a teen needed help for her depressed buddy, a woman wanted to convince her husband they should have another baby.
Dr. Judy can also talk about:
• How her professional and personal life changed as a result of 9/11. She is also part of The World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program for first responders who suffered medical problems.
• Children are helped by knowing that other kids experiencing trauma care about them. The Global Kids Connect workshop will be given in NY (open to press coverage):
o WHAT: The 4th annual Child and Family Institute Back-to-School Event
o WHEN: September 8th 3-6 p.m.
o WHERE: St. Luke's Hospital, 419 West 114 Street, NYC
• Music heals. An anthem written by Dr. Judy and composer Russell Daisey will be performed on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 at the Interfaith Memorial at Pier 40 on the Hudson River (open to press coverage). Called "Towers of Light," honoring the heroes and offering hope and healing, the song has been performed at the World Trade Center Responder Day, United Nations conferences and the Hiroshima International Peace Summit (where the Dalai Lama called it "very powerful").
Kuriansky is available for interviews as of August 24. Also available:
• Multimedia of "Towers of Light" performances (video, MP3, live)
• Red Cross PSA (video) produced after 9/11 featuring Dr. Judy.
• Video footage and photos of the Global Kids Connect Project in Haiti and Japan.

For more information, see http://www.DrJudy.com

Dr. Judy Kuriansky,
Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and relationship expert, teacher at Columbia University Teachers College and United Nations Main NGO representative who has done disaster relief post-9'11 and worldwide. A former reporter for WCBS-TV, WABC-TV and host of CNBC-TV "Money and Emotions" and veteran radio advice talk show host of the popular "Love Phones" show, she now appears often as a TV commentator. The author of many books including "The Complete Idiots Guide to a Healthy Relationship," she was recently awarded for Lifetime Achievement in Global Peace and Tolerance by the Friends of the United Nations.

The Global Kids Connect Project is a cross-cultural humanitarian initiative promoting healing and comfort for children after disasters that includes a workshop of stress reduction techniques, cultural experiences and exchange of dolls. Partners include HappyDoll Inc., a Japanese-founded organization that has exchanged dolls for orphans and other children; the UN-accredited International Association of Applied Psychology; Haiti Action Youth for the United Nations; and New York's St. Luke's Hospital.