Correctional environments often lack natural light, space, and calming stimuli, which can worsen mental health issues and trigger violence or self-harm. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is not always effective, with only 50% efficacy among veterans. This discussion introduces a trauma-informed training manual and a virtual healing environment platform designed for correctional staff and the incarcerated. The platform offers self-help videos to reduce anxiety and can be used in therapy sessions. The session will showcase the 14-section manual and healing journey videos to demonstrate the tool’s potential for improving mental health support in correctional settings.

Educational Objectives

• Explain the importance of safe healing environments for addressing healing from traumatic experiences for incarcerated people, their families, and staff
• Identify behavioral patterns generated from traumatic experiences to survive hostile and traumatic environments
• Discuss how rebuilding specific relational skillsets can promote successful reentry and readjustment

Level: Basic