Healing Together

Our model is a bold reimagining of community mental health and healing.

We democratize access by building the capacity of locals to heal themselves and others. We de-stigmatize trauma by acknowledging that every human is impacted by it. Our train-the-trainer approach centers survivors as experts, equipping them with knowledge and skills to identify trauma, provide peer support, and embrace cultural healing traditions, so they can heal trauma and teach others to do the same.

We train teachers, health workers, caregivers, faith leaders, and other local stakeholders in trauma-informed and healing-centered care.

Our training is comprehensive, easily understandable, culturally adaptable, and replicable, weaving together the neuroscience of trauma with practical tools to 1) heal their own trauma, 2) support survivors, 3) rehabilitate aggressors, 4) break stigma, and 5) teach others about mental health and healing.

In short, our approach offers a scalable way to address the global need for mental health resources in a manner that is cost-effective, culturally-relevant, and sustainable.

Our strategic plan is to:

1) Scale local mental health training, advocacy, and support by launching Healing Hubs in major geographic regions of the world
2) Broaden global access to resources through virtual, asynchronous trainings with multiple language options
3) Build a global movement for healing that breaks stigma and builds awareness through podcasts, art exhibitions, media events, and local community engagement

A diverse, inclusive, and representative team is the only way to build safety and trust in communities disproportionately impacted by trauma - i.e. people of color, LGBTQ, immigrants, and survivors of interpersonal and systemic violence and abuse. Our growing team of local facilitators around the world are educators, artists, activists, and health workers who don’t just serve the community - we are the community.

Our workshops combine the neuroscience of trauma with the art of healing through mindfulness, somatic (body based) tools, and expressive arts so participants can reclaim their inner strength, agency, and ability to heal themselves and others.

To date, we’ve trained over 7,000 leaders from 700+ organizations, representing 28 countries, impacting over 100,000 trauma survivors globally.

98% reported that they are now better equipped to heal themselves and support survivors. Graduates have since launched healing groups for youth, survivors of violence, elders, and aggressors of harm. Some graduates have started mental health NGOs, while others started graduate counseling programs.

The following testimonials offer examples of the power of our work to catalyze transformative change:

“The children are now more empathetic, they know how to heal their sad emotions, they share their stories, and they act with love. I’d be a different person if I had this training when I was a teenager.”
- Teacher, Nepal

"Having attended a wealth of trainings and workshops, I have to say, with hand on my heart, this has to be
one of the best."
- Founder of domestic violence support organization, Wales, UK

"What an impressive mind and heart blowing / loving experience. Thanks for all the collaborative effort that
supported my breakthroughs."
- Neurobiologist, USA

“The training of our social workers helped them not only improve their healing services for survivors but also build their capacities in their profession as healers. And survivors who are subjected to the ingredients of the training find themselves on their path to healing. The approach is a key tool we use to have all the women and girls start a new journey which result[s] into self-esteem and confidence, blossoming and love, and hope - after the release of their trauma - and vision for their future. It's one of the best program[s] I have experienced for trauma.”
- Director of leadership center for sexual violence survivors in DR Congo

"Two weeks ago we were in a workshop and one participant shared her story. All of a sudden, almost everyone started crying in the workshop. I was so terrified... then I remembered the activity you did with us... I led the participants into that, and guess what, it really worked. Everyone started smiling and laughing again. Now I feel confident that even though I would get emotional [facilitating our workshops] myself, I am able to lead both myself and the participants out of the emotional situation.”
- Leadership workshop facilitator, Rwanda

“Before, when a woman would come to the police station crying, to report her husband beating her, I would yell and tell her to leave and not come back until she was finished crying. Now, I know how to help her breathe, or give her water, or ask someone else to help her become calm and safe. She will be able to make a better report when she is calm.”
- Police officer, Uganda

More about here impact here: https://www.wearehealingtogether.org/impact