The Circle

State of Play

Many of those incarcerated have had difficult life paths, beginning with a myriad adverse childhood experiences. Unresolved trauma from early life, can cause people to shut down parts of themselves, and disconnect from their bodies, emotions and trusting relationships. Such constriction can cause suffering. Many turn to substances to cope with the pain (70% of those entering the Irish prison system have some form of addiction).

When the original wounds go unhealed, the cycle of pain, addiction, dysfunctional behaviour continues. According to CSO findings (2018), just under 50 per cent of people released from prison in 2018 reoffended within one year of release, with 83% of those under 21 reoffending within 3 years.

The Circle

The potential for healing, growth, and possibility is within people. A step towards ‘recovery’ is recovering themselves. This involves peeling back the layers and building a healthy relationship with their authentic selves - their bodies, gut feelings, values, and other people.

Over the course of 4-8 workshops, groups go on a transformative developmental journey. They dive into a range of life-related topics in a safe and immersive learning space. Participants equip themselves with the skills, awareness, beliefs, and attitudes to navigate life from an empowered, compassionate place.

The person-centered approach puts participants in the driving seat. They become their own teachers. They walk the talk together, having their growth and humanity mirrored back to them along the way.

This program is heavily influenced by my study of Compassionate Inquiry, Dr Gabor Mates therapeutic approach to trauma, addiction & recovery.

Key Objectives

• Understand who and what has shaped their life path.
• Explore how mentors have shown up in their lives, and meet a positive mentor who has walked a similar path.
• Learn about limiting beliefs - how they show up and how we can navigate them.
• Build an E.Q toolkit of self-awareness, empathy, emotional expressiveness, active listening, etc.
• Tune into and distinguish between gut feelings, bodily sensations and perceptions.
• Explore resilience and what we can be learnt from life's adversities.
• Construct an empowered, compassionate version of their life narrative.
• Inspire the next generation by becoming positive role models.
• Design aspirational values as a healthy guide for their lives.
• Integrate skills to become healthy, responsible members of society.