Welcome to H.E.A.T. – Habilitation Empowerment Accountability Therapy
H.E.A.T. is different. We value and highlight Black culture, emphasize the historical strengths of African Americans, and treat the whole person. Our goal is to validate life experiences and address and resolve issues that have shaped self-image, behavior, and lifestyle choices.
We are a unique, culturally tailored group-counseling intervention explicitly designed for the Black Community. These include issues related to substance use and involvement in the criminal justice system. Our approach does not assume severe substance use disorder but focuses on the precipitants of problematic behaviors.
Our intensive curriculum focuses on the issues black people face daily, intending to alter entrenched negative behavioral patterns. We offer a safe space for participants to explore topics related to self-perception, family dynamics, and community engagement. Our strength-based approach emphasizes the resilience of the African American community, empowering participants to confront and overturn barriers to success.
Join us in this journey of transformation and empowerment.
Introduction to H.E.A.T.
H.E.A.T.
HEAT is a culturally tailored group-counseling intervention designed for African American men between 18 and 29 years of age who are engaged in problematic substance use and involved in the criminal justice system.
H.E.A.T. For Youth
H.E.A.T. for Youth is a therapy program designed for Black males aged 13 to 17 who are involved in the Juvenile justice system. H.E.A.T. applies a holistic, culturally relevant, responsive, strength-based model that emphasizes a positive and engaging approach to treatment.
H.E.R. – H.E.A.T For Women
This curriculum is a therapeutic intervention created to address the specific needs of Black women.
H.E.R. 4 Girls
H.E.R. for GIRLS (H4G) is a unique journey of transformation, a therapy program meticulously designed for Black females aged 13 to 17 involved in the juvenile justice system.
Mental Health Among Incarcerated Black Men
Mental health among incarcerated Black men in the U.S. is a major concern. Precise numbers are hard to determine, but a significant portion of the prison population has mental health issues. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that 55% of Black inmates have a mental health problem, but only 30% have been told they have a mental disorder. The Treatment Advocacy Center estimates that 20% of jail inmates and 15% of state prison inmates have a serious mental illness. Given the over-representation of Black people in prisons, it’s clear that many Black men with mental health issues aren’t getting the help they need.
The Invisible Epidemic: Unveiling the Impact of Racial Trauma
Welcome to an unspoken reality: racial trauma. Silent but destructive, it’s a pervasive phenomenon that has gripped millions yet rarely makes headlines. Deeply entrenched in the Black community’s lived experiences, this pain stems from personal experiences of racial discrimination, racial violence, and relentless racial microaggressions. It’s not just personal, it reverberates through families, communities, and echoes through centuries of systemic racism.
Racial trauma leaves indelible scars on mental health, triggering symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. This relentless stress also manifests physically, contributing to chronic conditions like hypertension and heart disease. But amidst this adversity, the Black community endures and strives, employing various coping strategies.