The Harriet Intiative
Trauma Recovery Mindset:
The Harriet Initiative emphasizes the importance of adopting a trauma recovery mindset. This mindset involves acknowledging and understanding the impact of trauma, both acute (sudden and short-term) and generational (trauma that is passed down through generations).
Current Harriett Group:
Hennepin Healthcare contact Next Steps Program Outreach
Coordinator Thea Williams, theress.williams@hcmed.org
Coming Soon: The Harriet Initiative 2 Spring 2025
We are excited to announce that Empower Therapeutic Support Service Inc. will soon be offering the Harriet Initiative at our 227 Colfax Ave N office. The Harriet Initiative is a groundbreaking program designed to provide trauma-informed recovery support for adults from diverse backgrounds."
Key Features:
Our program will focus on the unique needs of diverse populations, offering culturally responsive and trauma-informed care.
Participants will benefit from trauma psychoeducation, empowering them with knowledge about the impact of trauma and effective coping strategies.
We will provide individual brief trauma recovery sessions to address personal needs and healing journeys.
Our community-building approach fosters a supportive environment where participants can connect, share experiences, and grow together.
Contact Information:
For inquiries or to be notified when we launch, please reach out to us at sluitjens@empowerfam.com or 612.223.0373. You will be provided with a pre screener to meet the criteria to participant in Harriet Initiative Trauma Recovery Community Based Program
Assessment
A diagnostic assessment for trauma treatment is a crucial step to ensure that clients receive the most appropriate and effective care tailored to their specific trauma experiences and individual needs. It sets the foundation for a therapeutic relationship built on trust and understanding, which is essential for successful trauma recovery.
Trauma Recovery Education Group
Participants will go through a 12-week program.
Central to the initiative is the provision of psychoeducation, which involves educating individuals about trauma, its effects, and how it can manifest both personally and within communities. This education helps individuals gain a better understanding of their experiences and reactions. Coping Skills: The initiative focuses on equipping individuals with the necessary skills to cope with trauma triggers when they occur. Coping skills can include emotional regulation techniques, stress management strategies, and methods for processing and healing from trauma.
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) 4 to 6 weekly sessions
“Unlock Healing: Narrative Exposure Therapy for Trauma Recovery”
Trauma can result in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and hypervigilance, which can make it challenging to function effectively in daily life. Individuals may struggle to concentrate at work or school, maintain employment, or complete tasks, leading to decreased productivity.
Impact on Relationships:
Trauma can strain relationships with family members, friends, and the broader community. Survivors may struggle with trust, intimacy, and emotional connection, making it difficult to form and maintain positive relationships.
Coping Mechanisms and Addictions:
To cope with the emotional pain and distress caused by trauma, some individuals may turn to addictive behaviors or substances as a way to numb their feelings temporarily. These coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse or addictive behaviors, may provide short-term relief but can lead to a cycle of addiction and exacerbate existing problems.
Rock Bottom:
When individuals rely on addictions or unhealthy coping strategies, it can lead to a downward spiral, often referred to as "hitting rock bottom."This can involve worsening mental and physical health, strained relationships, legal issues, and a sense of hopelessness.
Impact on Relationships:
NET adheres to a trauma-informed care approach, recognizing the impact of trauma on individuals and the importance of creating a safe therapeutic environment. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) as been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related psychological distress. Research suggests that NET can lead to significant improvements in trauma-related symptoms and overall well-being. Narrative Exposure Therapy is a structured and effective approach for helping individuals process and heal from complex traumas by creating a coherent life narrative that integrates their traumatic experiences into their sense of self and identity. It provides a way for individuals to reclaim control over their lives and move forward with a sense of resilience and hope.
Trauma Recovery Community Group Support:
It is emphasized that BIPOC individuals and their families often experience trauma that is not a result of their own behavior. This points to systemic and societal factors that contribute to trauma within these communities. The initiative recognizes the importance of community support and awareness-building to address these issues collectively. Harriet Initiative provides a space that emphasize empathy, understanding, and support for individuals who have experienced trauma while recognizing the profound and lasting effects on mental, emotional, and physical well-being individuals, families, and communities .
Note: If you are a person who has been impacted by gun violence please indicate when call. Harriet initiative partners with to provide another site in the community and additional resources that will aid in your recovery.