Our Story

Learn the history, beliefs and accomplishments of our nonprofit organization.

MN-TRI is now a program of RS EDEN

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BIG NEWS!

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MN-TRI is now a program of RS EDEN ⋆ BIG NEWS! ⋆

Minnesota Trauma Recovery Institute (MN-TRI) was born from a bold vision to see families involved in the criminal justice heal from trauma and be liberated to live a life characterized by wellbeing as of September 2023, MN TRI will be integrated as a program of RS EDEN.

MN-TRI was founded by Dr. Molly Bailey, Elsa Kraus, and Dr. Kadie Ausherbauer (shown left to right).

All three original founders were trained as trauma therapists, educators, and researchers. They were working with families involved in the criminal justice system and Molly was conducting research around traumatic stress and parental incarceration. The problem was clear: many families in our society experience a recursive cycle of trauma, addiction, and criminal justice involvement and were not getting the mental health care needed to heal. Together, they envisioned an institute that would help address this problem by interrupting these intergenerational patterns across multiple levels of change.

This vision was put to life and MN-TRI incorporated in October 2019 as a nonprofit organization, and the first clients were provided therapy in January 2020. In September 2023, MN-TRI was fully integrated as a program of RS EDEN, focusing on Trauma Recovery and fully supporting mental health wellness.

 

Why does MN-TRI exist?

MN-TRI exists to heal the legacy of traumatic stress in individuals and families involved in the criminal justice system. We do what we do because we believe that everyone— no matter their criminal background, the circumstances that they were born into, or their identity— deserves the chance to heal and grow into the best versions of themselves.

We believe people deserve to be treated with love and compassion. We believe people can change, and we believe that even in the face of many obstacles, healing is possible.

How do we respond to this belief and mission?

As a response to this belief, we provide high quality mental health services, training and education, and community-based research. Our vision is rooted in a long-term desired to see collective healing in our community and to see people truly liberated— not simply out of jail.

In order for this to happen, we know change must occur across multiple levels. We seek to interrupt the intergenerational cycle of trauma, addiction, and criminal justice involvement at three levels.

At the most proximate level, we address healing in individuals, couples and families through our direct mental health services. At the mid-level, we seek to infuse capacity and knowledge into systems that are interfacing with folks involved in the criminal justice system (law professionals, social service providers, addiction treatment centers, etc.), and at the macro level, we seek to generate knowledge that guides preventative and trauma-responsive policies by researching traumatic stress while centering the voices of the community that we serve.

 

What does this look like?

Below you will find a 30,000 foot view of what we’ve been up to. These are accomplishments & successes we’ve lived since MN-TRI opened its doors in January 2020.

Last updated July 2022.

Mental Health Services

  • 3,294 therapy sessions have been conducted with individuals who have suffered trauma

  • 188 clients have received individual, couples or family therapy

  • 896 psychotherapy groups have been provided to residents of RS EDEN recovery services who are fighting the battle of drug and alcohol addiction

  • 42 psychotherapy groups at MN-TRI for individuals who have experienced trauma

  • 86 individuals have received therapy as part of our financial aid policy for individuals without insurance we accept who face economic barriers to receiving therapy

Research

  • 2 MN-TRI co-founders successfully completed their PhDs at the University of Minnesota in Family Social Science

  • 1 research presentation was conducted at the Minnesota Prevention Sharing Conference

  • 1 research coding training was conducted

  • 1 journal article published in a lead journal in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy

  • Partnerships were established with researchers in academic institutions to begin collaborative community-based research

  • 3 research grants were submitted with research partners

 

 

Training & Education

  • 6 trainings have been provided to teams working with justice-involved individuals across legal, mental health, substance use, and social service sectors including Hennepin County judges, referees, and courtroom staff, Hennepin County Public Defenders, Wayside Recovery Services, Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Behavioral Health Division (BHD), and NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center.

  • 80 practitioners (from 10 states, and 5 countries) have been trained in Narrative Exposure Therapy, an evidence-based intervention for treating complex trauma

  • 5 guest lectures were given in graduate-level clinical mental health programs in order to inspire and educate the next generation of therapists

  • 22 free consultation groups have been offered to practitioners trained in Narrative Exposure Therapy

  • 13 masters students in Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Social Work and Mental Health Counseling have or are currently conducting their internships with us, receiving mentoring, supervision and training to support them as they begin their careers

  • 2 doctoral students Marriage and Family Therapy conducted their internships with us, receiving mentoring, supervision, and training to support them

  • 3 undergraduate students have completed internships with us as they explore if a career in mental health is something they would like to pursue.

Want to help?

Make a donation.

With your donation we will be able to offer more support for those who aren’t able to afford it on their own. Help us work towards our mission, to heal the legacy of traumatic stress in families involved in the criminal justice system.