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Houses of Healing a 13- session program in emotional literacy:

The Houses of Healing and Unseal the Truth Programs are courses in emotional literacy skill building based on a belief in the intrinsic dignity and worth of each person.  The courses are designed to teach emotional regulation techniques, foster emotional and spiritual growth, and encourage responsibility and accountability for one self and towards others.

Practicing meditation, self- regulation and stress management techniques:

Participants learn a variety of stress-management techniques such as meditation, relaxation and visualization.  These techniques, if practiced regularly, often have immense physical and psychological benefits including improved self-regulation and more positive emotional states. The courses place a strong emphasis on the daily practice of meditation.  As a result of these interventions, many participants report that they are less anxious and depressed, as well as less prone too violent and angry reactions.   Participants also express that they experience significantly greater choice and control in how they respond to potentially stressful situation.

Learning cognitive reframing and creating attitudinal change:

This courses offer psychological models and perspectives on human nature that inspire understanding and self-knowledge.  Drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Houses of Healing and Unseal the Truth offer participants alternate ways of perceiving people and circumstances and teaches effective social problem-solving skills that empower them you choose peaceful, nonaggressive responses to challenging situations.

Acknowledging, working with, and healing from childhood trauma:

In order to break the cycle of abuse and violence, childhood trauma and the personal wounding that often fuels violence and criminal behavior must be addressed.  To this end, participants are provided the opportunity to recognize childhood trauma, become aware of its impact in adulthood, and participate in healing unresolved emotional pain.” inner child work” is the focus of this aspect of the programs.

Transforming anger, resentment, and un healthy guilt and shame/ working with forgiveness:

The courses encourage participants to learn constructive ways to transform anger, resentment, and unhealthy guilt and shame.  There is a Focus on forgiveness as a key to emotional well-being. The forgiveness aspect of the courses focus on both self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others. Clear distinctions are made between “healthy guilt” which demands that one be totally accountable for any and all acts that were hurtful and lack integrity versus” unhealthy guilt” and Shame which leads to a sense of unworthiness and low self-esteem.

Acknowledging and working with grief the, silenced emotion:

Unresolved grief, often propels addiction depression and aggression.

This aspect of the training deals with honoring loss, and explores the 4 tasks of dealing with loss.  These include accepting the fact of the loss; morning the loss; adjusting to the new situation; and investing one’s energy in something new.

Nurturing spiritual growth

The courses promote a psychospiritual awareness and enable participants to discover a self- image different from that of the stereotype in which they see themselves.  It nurtures kindness, compassion, respect, wisdom, and inner peace founded on greater faith and trust.

The role of mindfulness skills in HOH:

The Houses of healing and Unseal the Truth programs draw heavily from the field of mindfulness as a means of improving emotional and behavioral regulation, reduction in anxiety, panic improvements and attention and a wide range of other cognitive and emotional outcomes.

Mindfulness is paying attention to one’s thoughts feelings body sensations in the present without judgment.

With practice mindfulness leads to a shift in the relationship with one’s environment by allowing for a disengagement from habitual or reactive  thought patterns by simply observing one’s own thoughts and feelings. Individuals respond to internal and external events more reflectively,  they have access to a wide range of adaptive responses.

Cognitive behavioral therapy:

CBT, an integral part of the HOH  and UTT programs, have been shown to be effective at treating a wide variety of behaviors and mental health problems.  These interventions typically teach nonviolent problem solving skills to manage psychological issues.  CBT specifically addresses maladaptive thoughts and cognitive biases while providing guided opportunities to generate increasingly prosocial viable solutions to potentially conflictual situations.  CBT serves as a fundamental mechanism of change were mindfulness practice help participants change their relationship to their thoughts, de-centering and distancing . CBT guides them in changing their thought content through reducing cognitive distortions and challenging irrational beliefs.