At ARC, free therapy is more than a resource — it’s a lifeline for members rebuilding their lives after incarceration. Clarissa, ARC’s Communications Intern and a member herself, sat down with Shay, one of ARC’s full-time therapists, to talk about the power of healing, the role of ARC’s clinical team, and why therapy matters now more than ever.
Why did you become a therapist?
“I grew up helping out at different clinics — it was just part of my life. I was always the person people went to for things. And I thought, maybe I could actually do something with that. Maybe I could turn it into something bigger, something that helps more people beyond just my immediate circle.”
How does therapy work at ARC?
“We don’t bill insurance. We don’t require a diagnosis. It’s just us and our people here. That means we can meet people where they are, without all the barriers that normally stop folks from getting help.”
Why is therapy so important for ARC members?
“People have a lot of trauma — from childhood, from the streets, from prison. And a lot of folks come through who have never had the opportunity to speak about certain things they’ve experienced. That kind of unprocessed trauma just stays in you, and it shows up in your life whether you realize it or not.”
How is the program growing?
“We have more people in therapy now at ARC than we ever have. That’s huge.
