Reintegration doesn’t begin at the gate, and healing doesn’t end with freedom. At Empowered People & Co, we offer post-incarceration therapy that recognises the profound emotional, relational, and systemic impacts of time spent in custody. Our approach is grounded in professionalism, integrity, and a deep commitment to meaningful, lasting change. We provide a safe, structured therapeutic space that is both trauma-informed and culturally responsive, where clients are met with dignity, honesty, and respect.

We hold space for honest reflection, trauma recovery, and the complex process of rebuilding identity, relationships, and a sustainable future. Therapy is evidence-based and tailored to the real-world realities of post-incarceration life, supporting clients in developing insight, accountability, and practical skills for reintegration. With compassion and clarity, we work to honour the broader ripples incarceration creates across individuals, families, and communities, always walking beside our clients with a focus on growth, resilience, and long-term wellbeing.

Why empowered:

Our Principal Psychologist, Esra, brings extensive frontline experience as a former senior supervisor in a men’s correctional facility. Having overseen rehabilitation programs within the prison system, she holds a deep understanding of the content, structure, and limitations of these interventions, as well as the complex dynamics at play behind the walls. Esra has seen firsthand how programs are delivered, how they’re received, and what truly resonates with men both during incarceration and after release.

Her insight into the psychological realities of prison life, identity, survival, disconnection, and shame; enables her to offer support that is grounded, respectful, and deeply attuned to the lived experiences of her clients. Esra’s approach bridges the gap between institutional programming and real-world reintegration, expanding on what has already been introduced in custody and helping to build stability and growth beyond the gate. Whether engaged pre-release or post-release, her work fosters continuity, accountability, and meaningful, lasting change.

This service is designed for:

• Individuals recently released from prison or detention

• People navigating parole, reintegration programs, or community corrections

• Clients managing risk of reoffending, institutional conditioning, or identity loss

• Individuals with complex needs — including co-occurring trauma, substance use, neurodivergence, or personality-related presentations

• Those affected by systemic injustice, generational disadvantage, or social disconnection

• Participants engaged in NDIS-funded forensic or post-incarceration support pathways

• Families and loved ones impacted by a relative’s incarceration

Therapeutic support may include:

Therapeutic support for individuals post-incarceration is tailored to address the complex emotional, psychological, and practical challenges they may face. This may include processing trauma, grief, shame, guilt, and the emotional impact of incarceration, while building essential skills in emotional regulation, impulse control, anger management, and healthy coping. Therapy often focuses on reconstructing identity, trust, and self-worth, alongside developing practical life skills and supporting community reintegration. Strengthening relationships and creating safe, meaningful connections are also central, as is identifying and addressing risk factors to support long-term behaviour change. Importantly, we hold space for accountability, values exploration, and future goal-setting—offering support that is compassionate, non-judgmental, and grounded in the belief that growth and healing are possible.

Approaches and delivery:

We draw from a range of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing, narrative and trauma-focused therapies, behavioural change models, and risk assessment tools with safety planning. Our work is grounded in strengths-based, systemic, and culturally responsive frameworks that support both personal growth and practical reintegration.

Sessions can be offered individually or as part of integrated post-release plans, advocacy efforts, or NDIS-funded supports. With client consent, we collaborate with support workers, legal advocates, and justice teams to ensure coordinated, wraparound care. This support can also form part of a transitional plan initiated prior to release—helping to build trust, stability, and readiness for life beyond custody, while fostering smoother and more sustainable reintegration.

Our Promise

We see more than a person’s past — we see their potential. We acknowledge that incarceration doesn't just affect the individual, it affects families, children, and communities. Where appropriate, we work with loved ones to support broader healing. We believe in change. We offer both challenge and compassion, helping our clients build the emotional resilience to sit with discomfort, understand impact, and move forward with purpose.