Built from the Inside curriculum - REVIEW

When I first reviewed the Built from the Inside curriculum, I recognized something unique: a program with structure and clarity, heart, and a trauma-informed lens. As a social worker with more than two decades of experience in trauma and integrative psychotherapy, I have seen firsthand what the path to healing looks like. Addressing cycles of pain, violence, shame, and systemic injustice is life-changing.

The curriculum being presented to you is not just a workbook; it is an opportunity for change through self-reflection and gaining insight into the possible reasons why you approach things the way you do. The curriculum is grounded in trauma-informed practice, emotional literacy, body awareness, and understanding the emotional and physical triggers that influence behavior. Its tools mirror interventions and exercises I have used in practice for years: trigger mapping, emotional awareness, breathwork, journaling, and identity reconstruction. These practices are tools for healing that can be used every day!

What makes Built from the Inside even more powerful is its voice. The language in this program is accessible and avoids jargon or "lecturing." This is a conversation; guided by "Uncle Aaron," a mentor figure who draws on his lived experiences, which differ from those in other curricula. His stories are real and relatable, and he invites you to share your experiences without judgment. These workbooks can be used in a reentry program or a correctional facility, and they can also be used in conjunction with therapy. 

From my clinical and practice experience, I believe this curriculum allows those who may be unfamiliar with counseling or therapy to begin a healing journey and aligns with best practices in the following:

• Trauma-informed care

• Encourages healing by incorporating practices through self-led recovery through mindfulness and personal growth. 

• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) as outlined by the CASEL framework

• It provides practical tools that help develop skills applicable to various situations and relationships. 

Because this curriculum is trauma-informed, it considers the realities of correctional facilities and seeks to reflect the lived experiences of those who will utilize the program.

Healing behind the wall is an opportunity to be seen, to feel again, and to grow without shame. Built from the Inside creates that opportunity.

If you are a peer leader, educator, mentor, counselor, or therapist, I encourage you to try this program! 

Billye J. Jones, DSW, LCSW

Trauma Therapist