Healing Through Psychoeducational Groups at Thistle Farms

At Thistle Farms, we know that healing from trauma goes far beyond just providing safe housing or access to health care. True healing happens when a woman has the tools, confidence, and safety to take control of her recovery journey—physically, mentally, and emotionally. One of the ways we support this is through psychoeducational groups, which offer resources and skills that help women create personalized recovery plans suited to their unique needs.

Rediscovering Strength and Agency

These groups play a key role in helping residents rediscover themselves after years—or even decades—of trauma, addiction, and hardship. With the power of choice, psychoeducational groups provide residents with the ability to actively participate in the healing in a manner that resonates with them.

A Structured Path to Healing 

In our residential program, psychoeducational groups provide a structured environment where residents can learn about trauma, addiction, and personal growth. These groups cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Prostitution: Discussions that address the realities of prostitution and its impact on women’s lives.
• Book Study: A chance for women to explore literature that can inspire healing and reflection.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Teaches mindfulness, helping residents understand the difference between being "mindful" versus "mind-full."
• Brain Science: Provides crucial insights into how trauma and addiction affect the brain, offering a foundation for understanding and healing.

A Personal Journey of Healing 

Donna, Café Prep Manager and 2016 graduate of the Thistle Farms program, found deep healing through a writing group and shared that:

“Writing gave me a chance to challenge myself to identify the hurt within so I could work through it. It helped me face my traumas and embrace the love I was receiving but didn’t understand. These groups help us find a point of release so we can discover who we really are, what brings us joy, and see ourselves in a way we didn’t realize we could.”

For some, writing might offer that release. For others, art, cooking, or even equine therapy might be the key to unlocking their own healing. By regularly gathering feedback from residents, we adapt our programming to ensure it’s responsive to each woman’s needs. Recent offerings have included financial empowerment, life skills, and grief support—all designed to equip residents with the skills they need for long-term well-being.

The Power of Autonomy in the Recovery Journey 

One of the fundamental principles of Thistle Farms is ensuring that every woman who enters our program knows she has control over her own recovery. Many of the women who cross our threshold come from backgrounds where they’ve had little or no say in the course of their lives. Offering choice in psychoeducational groups is a vital part of restoring that lost agency, recognizing that healing is not a one-size-fits-all process. By offering a variety of groups, we ensure that each woman can choose the methods that speak to her own healing journey.

Shelia Simpkins, Director of Residential Services at Thistle Farms, explained the importance of this flexibility:

“A book study might not be helpful for some, but others really love it. DBT is essential for teaching mindfulness, and brain science is crucial because it helps women understand the effects of trauma and addiction on their brains. But it’s equally important that women have options, whether that’s art, cooking, or equine therapy. The variety gives them tools they can carry with them long after they leave the program.”

A Lifelong Path to Wellness

Healing is a lifelong journey, and at Thistle Farms, we aim to ensure every woman has the tools and support she needs to continue that journey long after she’s left the program. Psychoeducational groups are just one part of this process, but they’re an important step to helping each resident rediscover her strength, resilience, and ability to thrive.

Through this model, we aren’t just addressing the trauma of the past. We’re helping to build a future where each woman has the agency and the resources to continue healing on her own terms. Your donation directly supports these life-changing programs, providing more opportunities for each woman to choose her path to healing.

Donate today and join us in lighting the way forward.