Gerald Vest | SelfGrowth.com

Gerald W. Vest ACSW, LISW, LMT

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1. Free Articles & Book Excerpts

2. Free Audio & Video Samples

3. Audio & Video Programs

4. Books

5. Other Programs & Highlights

6. Favorite Quotes & Thoughts from Gerald W. Vest

7. Getting Started With Gerald W. Vest

8. Contacting Gerald W. Vest

Brief Overview of Current Practice: In addition to teaching social work practice (part time), I am a full-time clinical social worker with the Wm. Beaumont Army Medical Center, Warrior -Restoration & Resilience Center (R & R), Ft. Bliss, TX. I also administer and support an international community of certified partners of the 15-Minute StressOut Program for the US Army, individuals, couples, groups, families, and communities; serve as Team Leader for Las Cruces, Health Promotion Team with Elders; and, facilitate stress management classes for US Army Community Services, Ft. Bliss, TX.
International Projects:
International Workshops - 1995 Global Conference on Ageing & Center for Gerontological Research - Jerusalem, Israel "Communication & Networking with the International Human Services BBS," Autonoma University, School of Social Work, Juarez, Mexico (See, 1989 Article); International Street Kids Research Project, with Autonoma University, School of Social Work, NMSU Department of Social Work & Utah State University, Department of Social Work, Juarez, Mexico (See, 1989 Article) Teaching, Research, and Publishing Areas and Interests:
Has taught generalist and advanced practice courses in holistic family practice, social policy and advocacy, social work practice with our elders, approaches in Gestalt psychology & complementary medicine, human behavior & social environment, self-defense, health and wellness, administration with a teamwork focus, community resources, and computer use in human services.

Conduct workshops, provide clinical practice with youth-at-risk, individuals, couples, families and groups; serve as consultant-trainer for several organizations, including bi-monthly workshops with the US Army and formerly with NASA-White Sands, AmeriCorp, mental health, and senior programs.

Research concentrations include:
Using touch or physical interaction and other integrative health practices to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and to promote safe, skillful, and nourishing touch; computer technology linking people, resources, and ideas; holistic health/integrative medicine; and, field education practices.

Gerald W. Vest Quick Facts

Main Areas: Individuals, Groups and Community Health, Wellness, & Stress Management
Best Sellers: 1999 Compendium of Diabetes Best Practices, Quality of Care ~ National Projects, Selected Best Practice Research for Past Decade, Health Care Financing Administration, American Association of Health Plans, and American Diabetes Association
Career Focus: Providing Reintegration Practices with Soldiers & Advancing the Global Use of Touch with Elders
Affiliation: New Mexico State University; US Army Community Services; Las Cruces Health Promotion Team; 15-Minute StressOut Program Author/Team Leader

Free Articles & Book Excerpts

"Alternative health practices in ethnically diverse rural areas: A collaborative research project." Health & social work. May 1997. (Also, Multicultural issues in social work .... (1999), Part V, Ch 21, p. 265-273, NASW Press.)

Days in the lives of Gerontological Social Workers, Ch. 31

Free Audio & Video Samples

15-Minute StressOut Program-Instructional DVD

Gerald W. Vest Audio & Video Programs

15-Minute StressOut Program

Other Programs & Highlights

NOTE: The American Diabetes Association selected our research article, "Alternative Health Practices in Ethnically Diverse Rural Areas," using the "15-Minute StressOut Program" as the primary intervention, with diabetic patients and their families as “Best Practice Research” during the past decade.(See Abstract No.8--point & click on this link)

Favorite Quotes & Thoughts from Gerald W. Vest

15-Minute StressOut Program & Organization - I designed this 'healthy touch' program, in collaboration with the Associated Students Organization - New Mexico State University (NMSU), Health Promotion Team, NMSU School of Social Work and the Family Preservation Institute , as one alternative for improving health and wellbeing in our university, society and beyond. After giving over 15,000 "stressouts" over a 10 year period, we learned that the 'stressout program' is safe to use with all populations. We use our skillful touch program with individuals, groups, couples, and families.

This program introduces and teaches mindfulness as an intrinsic awareness program for givers and our receivers of touch and physical interaction.

Getting Started With Gerald W. Vest

Our StressOut Program Experience is Often Described as Beyond Words!!!

Using acupressure and other skillful techniques, coordinated with the breath to balance our body, mind, emotions and spirit, is a heartfelt  or empathic experience for both the giver and receiver of this partner massage .

While systematically applying pressure points and introducing the 'laying-on-of-hands,'  we ask that givers and receivers maintain an awareness of their breath throughout the activity. While we refer to our "stressout program" as a chair like massage, it may be more accurate to describe the experience as a partner meditation - relaxing, yet energetic, beyond words.
This website offers you an opportunity to learn about our program, join our global team, and, if you wish, become a Certified Partner.
Do visit our Ethical Guidelines for the Safe Use of Touch and our Protocol  so that you can learn about our safety features and  'Step-by-Step Instructions' on giving and receiving our 15-Minute StressOut Program.

Contacting Gerald W. Vest

The Instructional DVD includes clearly defined boundaries, "Ethical Guidelines for the Safe Use of Touch" and step-by-step procedures available in English, Spanish, and Braille.

DVD - 25-Minute, KRWG studio production, with background music, "Heartbeat Rhythms," created by Karuna Warren and the New World Drummers.

DVD orders can be purchased by credit card for $25.00 + shipping--reseller's URL address: http://www.createspace.com/204644 . Do search the WEB for other distributors; however, locally, the Organ Mountain Coop, Las Cruces, NM and our Team Partners have a DVD available.