--- title: Case study- New Freedom description: Learn how New Freedom uses Interactive Journaling® to boost engagement, build CBT skills, and support successful reentry outcomes after incarceration. image: https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Blog/Banner%20Graphics/new%20freedom.png --- [![The Change Companies Logo](https://go.changecompanies.net/hs-fs/hubfs/TCClogo_website.png?width=500&height=67&name=TCClogo_website.png "The Change Companies Logo")](https://changecompanies.net?hsLang=en) [Technical Support](https://support.changecompanies.net/?hsLang=en) [Contact Sales](https://go.changecompanies.net/contact?hsLang=en) Search changecompanies.net About Us [About](https://changecompanies.net/about?hsLang=en) [Leadership](https://changecompanies.net/about?hsLang=en#leadership) [Advisors](https://changecompanies.net/about?hsLang=en#advisors) [Contact Us](https://go.changecompanies.net/contact?hsLang=en) [Careers](https://changecompanies.net/careers?hsLang=en) [![The Change Companies Logo](https://844aa8d177dcf87d02fc-8f72bb99f02c2e7ec80fe67c19b57c36.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/newsite/TCClogo_website.png)](https://go.changecompanies.net/?hsLang=en) - 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Through a highly structured environment and evidence-based programming, New Freedom provides an extra runway for people to be successful in reentry. See how [*Interactive Journaling®*](https://changecompanies.net/interactive-journaling?hsLang=en) supports engagement, skill development, and lasting behavior change. 95% Have not returned to custody 200+ Hours of treatment delivered per person per treatment episode [Learn More About *Interactive Journaling®*](https://changecompanies.net/interactive-journaling?hsLang=en) ![New Freedom Reentry Program](https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Blog/Banner%20Graphics/New%20freedom.png) ### About New Freedom [New Freedom](https://newfreedomaz.com/) is an intensive outpatient treatment program with a supportive housing component serving men and women exiting incarceration in Arizona. "On the day of release, we pick them up from the institution and have them come to New Freedom," explains Katherine Nisbet, Chief Clinical Officer. "New Freedom is an extra runway for people to be successful in reentry." New Freedom participants receive behavioral health and substance use treatment, trauma counseling, peer support, and vocational preparation within a highly structured environment. Programming is intentionally designed to reflect real-world expectations, with a minimum 90-day length of stay and approximately six hours of programming per day. "We equate their programming schedule with having a job," Katherine notes. "You wake up in the morning, you get ready for the day, you find an exercise routine, you go to work, and then you have your evening to figure out what you're going to do." Director of Clinical Operations David Cottrell adds, "In the evenings, we have a very robust vocational program that they can choose to engage with. There's electrical, framing, peer support certifications, GED, HVAC, business administration... And it helps our graduates enter the workforce making more than a sustainable living wage." New Freedom's model is strongly research-aligned. The program delivers more than 200 hours of treatment—an intensity associated with improved outcomes for individuals with extensive incarceration histories. Over the past five years, 95% of New Freedom graduates have not returned to custody, pointing to the strength of this reentry-focused approach. ### Key outcomes #### 200+ hours of treatment delivered per person per treatment episode An intensity associated with improved outcomes for individuals with extensive incarceration histories #### 95% success rate Over the past five years, 95% of New Freedom graduates have not returned to custody #### Improved cognitive-behavioral skills CBTSQ data shows a consistent pattern of improved behavioral skill acquisition by discharge #### Higher engagement *Interactive Journaling®* supports peer connection and articulate discussions about emotions, employment, and relationships ## Key challenges Despite strong outcomes, New Freedom faced challenges common to intensive reentry programs: sustaining engagement across long treatment durations, supporting staff with varying levels of experience, and ensuring participants were developing practical, transferable skills. Many participants had already encountered *Interactive Journaling®* while incarcerated, creating a risk that new programming would feel repetitive. Additionally, New Freedom wanted a curriculum that could be facilitated consistently across staff roles while still allowing for depth, peer interaction, and measurable outcomes. ## The approach New Freedom partnered closely with The Change Companies to intentionally integrate [*Interactive Journaling®*](https://changecompanies.net/interactive-journaling?hsLang=en) into its clinical model. Rather than adopting materials off the shelf, The Change Companies' staff spent time onsite—observing groups, learning New Freedom's structure, and tailoring Journal selection to program needs. Katherine explains, "\[The Change Companies team\] went to our groups, learned our program, and built *Interactive Journaling®* around our program needs and the needs of our individuals." Equally important was staff preparation. While New Freedom had used Journals previously, meaningful alignment and facilitation support came after hands-on collaboration. "We didn't have the training and support until The Change Companies actually came out to see us and aligned it with our program," Katherine notes. "That made a huge difference." Today, *Interactive Journaling®* supports engagement, peer connection, and difficult conversations across core life domains. "It helps our members stay engaged. It answers some really tough questions and it keeps them in the group, engaged with their peers. It gives them launching points to have articulate discussions about emotions, about employment, about family, and about peer relationships. So we have found it to be very helpful." — Katherine Nisbet ### Outcomes, results, and future growth [*Interactive Journaling®*](https://changecompanies.net/interactive-journaling?hsLang=en) is now fully embedded in New Freedom's treatment plans and paired with pre/post outcome measurement using the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Skills Questionnaire (CBTSQ). New Freedom consistently administers the CBTSQ at admission and discharge. Review of 12 months of data shows a consistent pattern of improved behavioral skill acquisition by discharge, with discharge averages reliably exceeding intake averages across the year. In addition to formal outcomes, New Freedom reports qualitative benefits tied directly to *Interactive Journaling®*: - Higher engagement and peer interaction - Greater participant ability to articulate goals, emotions, and accountability - A standardized model that supports staff development, including those new to the field "We have been using the Journals successfully for four years," says Katherine. "From a leadership perspective, I want something that's research-based. I want something that has proven results. I want a good partner who is able to figure out what's going to work for our program. So having The Change Companies learn what we do was really, really valuable for us to continue that partnership and make that continued investment time and time again." " ## Support reentry success with evidence-based *Interactive Journaling®* Learn how *Interactive Journaling®* helps reentry programs sustain engagement, develop practical skills, and achieve measurable outcomes through research-aligned curriculum and personalized support. [Learn more about *Interactive Journaling®*](https://changecompanies.net/interactive-journaling?hsLang=en) ### More case studies ### [![Rising Sun Recovery](https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Blog/Banner%20Graphics/Rising%20Sun%20recovery%20(3).png) TREATMENT & RECOVERY Rising Sun Recovery How Rising Sun Recovery uses Atlas to support comprehensive treatment and recovery A Georgia-based treatment organization achieves 96% engagement across intensive outpatient programs and recovery housing Read the Case Study](https://changecompanies.net/case-study-rising-sun-recovery?hsLang=en) ### [![Oregon Recovery](https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Blog/Banner%20Graphics/OregonRecovery%20Behavioral%20Health.png) Impaired Driving Oregon Recovery How Oregon Recovery uses Atlas to support DUI clients and expand access to care A behavioral health organization uses Atlas to deliver flexible, evidence-based programming for DUI clients while expanding access to care. Read the Case Study](https://changecompanies.net/case-studies-oregon-recovery?hsLang=en) Book your Atlas demo ## See what Atlas could do inside your facility New Freedom uses *Interactive Journaling*® to keep participants engaged, connected with their peers, and building practical skills for reentry. Tell us a little about your agency, and we'll show you how [Atlas](https://changecompanies.net/atlas?hsLang=en) could work for yours. ### In your demo, we'll walk you through: - Evidence-based *Interactive Journaling*® that sparks discussion about emotions, employment, family, and peer relationships - A standardized model that supports consistent facilitation across staff roles, including staff new to the field - How our team learns your program and aligns curriculum with your participants' needs 95% of New Freedom graduates have not returned to custody over the past five years ### Request your Atlas demo Fill out the form and our team will be in touch. 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