Our Curricula

MBA’s Group-Based Curriculum

The MBA curriculum represents the best practices and thinking from close to 30 years of organizational-direct service experience with incarcerated and post-incarcerated populations. Developed by experts in the fields of Corrections, Psychology, Mindfulness, and Social and Emotional Learning, the 10-session curriculum is a proprietary rehabilitation program designed specifically to meet the social and emotional needs of highly-at-risk populations.

The curriculum utilizes a universal class structure that includes periods of check-in, meditation practice, and group discussion. Presented in common vernacular and employing concepts relevant to participants lives, it is broken into 10 stand-alone modules as part of an inquiry-based prospectus that addresses the specific challenges incarcerated and at-risk populations face.

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO MINDFULNESS

Objectives of the Module

1. To orient participants to the culture of the group atmosphere
2. To define and practice mindfulness meditation

MODULE 2: BASIC GOODNESS

Objectives of the Module

1. To encourage participants to contemplate their own inherent value
2. To relate basic goodness to the practice of mindfulness

MODULE 3: IMPULSE REGULATION

Objectives of the Module

1. For participants to learn the difference between a reaction and a response
2. For participants to learn the relationship between impulsivity and behavior
3. To learn specific skills to address impulses

MODULE 4: EMOTIONAL AWARENESS

1. For participants to become educated on the basic concepts of emotional awareness
2. To expand their knowledge of emotional vocabulary
3. To recognize emotional impact on physical level

MODULE 5: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Objectives of the Module

1. For participants to have an emotionally intelligent experience.
2. Understand the window of tolerance and how it influences our thoughts, feelings, behaviors
3. Learn specific strategies to stay in our optimal window

MODULE 6: IDENTIFYING CORE BELIEFS

Module Objectives:

1. To teach participants what an IWM (Internal Working Model)/core belief is
2. To help participants identify how their upbringing may have influenced their IWM
3. To discuss strategies that can help transform negative core beliefs

MODULE 7: CAUSE AND EFFECT

Module Objectives

1. To understand how our actions, thoughts, decisions, and words create consequences
2. To understand how environmental causes and conditions affect outcomes
3. To understand personal responsibility

MODULE 8: EMPATHY

Module Objectives:

1. To acknowledge and recognize differences and similarities amongst group members
2. To experience vulnerability in a safe container
3. To learn how empathy may facilitate better wellbeing and relationships

MODULE 9: FORGIVENESS

Module Objectives:

1. For participants to have an introductory understanding of how Forgiveness can be beneficial as a strategy
2. For participants to experience what it may be like to take the first step towards forgiveness

MODULE 10:  INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Module Objectives:

1. To discuss the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships
2. To understand what it means to express compassion
3. To have an experience of giving/receiving compassion