The unique nature of this program was highlighted during its recent open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony . Those in attendance had the opportunity to tour The P . E . E . R . S . for Hope House as well as hear from the peer staff and former Guests who have benefited from this and other programs of The Harris Center . Attendees included representatives from the offices of Harris County Judge Ed Emmett , Harris County Commissioner Jack Cagle and State Representative Jessica Farrar . Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee personally toured the house and spent time visiting with the staff and Guests . In addition , she presented The P . E . E . R . S . for Hope House with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition in honor of its opening .
As Kim sees it , the open house was an opportunity for the community to see what she , her fellow staff members and their Guests affectionately refer to as
Learn more about how the P . E . E . R . S . for Hope House is making an impact and supporting our vision of Transforming Lives . To watch this video postcard , please visit : http :// bit . ly / PeersForHope
“ our house .” “ It was amazing to host people in our house last Friday ,” said Kim . “ Seeing so many positive reactions during tours was very exciting for all of us , even our Guests who participated . I feel as if most of these visitors arrived as curious and perhaps confused at who we are . When they left our house , they had an understanding of an entirely different concept in mental health , and many expressed enthusiasm for helping us to spread the word .”
Employee Spotlight : Dr . Hale - Making a difference from the Jail
When D . Danielle Hale , Ph . D ., arrived as a new employee at The Harris Center , her first assignment was facilitating a group with male inmates at The Harris County Jail that was part of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ( CBT ) Program . Nine years later , Dr . Hale ’ s list of responsibilities as the now-Lead Psychologist for the Adult Services Program of The Harris Center ’ s Mental Health Forensic Services Division has grown to include overseeing additional programs in the Jail and the supervision of a dozen employees . However , she continues to facilitate the same group she was first assigned in 2007 . According to Dr . Hale , “ That ’ s where my joy is , where my passion is .”
The CBT Program focuses on helping those who participate learn how to better handle everyday situations and choices , something many of these inmates may not get the chance to do otherwise . Housed together in one unit within the Jail , about twenty men are part of the CBT Program at any given time . They are referred to the program by The Harris Center staff providing mental health services in the Jail , Jail staff or they may self-refer . Participants may remain in the program for up to five months while in the Jail , and the ages of those in the program have ranged from 18 to over 60 .
According to Dr . Hale , “ These are guys who don ’ t get along well with others .” Many had difficult childhoods and never graduated from high school . To address this , she focuses on creating a safe , therapeutic environment that allows inmates the chance to practice socialization and problem-solving skills with one another . There are also targeted group therapy sessions available focused on substance use and wellness recovery that the inmates may participate in depending on their needs and backgrounds . While it may not happen overnight , Dr . Hale does see progress from the participants as they continue to build their skills to where they are “ gaining insight into their own behavior and what got them here ,” she said .
The charges pending against the inmates who participate in the CBT Program range , and they have even included capital murder . While Dr . Hale knows they are inmates charged with crimes , she also sees that they are individuals in need of help . “ These people are your fathers , brothers and sons . Everybody has a family member who ’ s made mistakes . So many of them are so young ,” she said .
For some , their time in the CBT Program truly does help make a difference . Dr . Hale occasionally gets emails and letters from former participants that let her know how much the time they spent in the program helped them as they worked to turn their lives around . Some are in school , some are working and some are successfully staying out of the criminal justice system . There are some who transitioned to a state prison , but even for them the skills they learned in the CBT Program are something they can take with them and apply in a new environment .
While Dr . Hale ’ s role at The Harris Center continues to evolve , she is clear in her dedication to the CBT Program and the individuals it serves . As she puts it , “ You have opportunities that come and you take them or you don ’ t . I love doing this . I love these guys . I feel like I make a difference .”