Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 12Years - 18Years
All Genders
ID07364799

Effectiveness of the SoundHeal (Heal) Multi-Sensory Integrative Therapy in Enhancing Emotional Regulation Among Justice-Involved Youth and Its Effect on Therapeutic Alliance and Mental Health Outcomes

Led by SoundHeal · Updated on 2026-01-23

12

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

4 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

S

SoundHeal

Lead Sponsor

C

County of San Luis Obispo - Probation Department

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Emotional dysregulation is a significant challenge among justice-involved youth (JIY), affecting many detained adolescents with conditions like ADHD, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. This research evaluates the SoundHeal multi-sensory integrative therapy, designed to improve emotional regulation, therapeutic alliance, and mental health outcomes in these young people. The study focuses on youth aged 12 to 18 years in juvenile detention who often face difficulties with anger, impulsivity, and engagement in treatment. The study uses the Healpod, a small, private booth delivering sound, music, gentle vibrations, and ambient light for about five minutes per session. Participants use the Healpod one to two times a week for eight weeks before their scheduled therapy sessions. After each session, they complete a brief journaling or drawing activity to reflect on their feelings, which therapists use to guide talk therapy. This intervention is given alongside standard care at the detention facility and does not involve medications or invasive procedures. Participants will attend the Healpod sessions and complete questionnaires at the start, weekly, and end of the eight-week study. Therapists will assess therapeutic engagement after each counseling session. Researchers will measure changes in emotional regulation, coping skills, depression, anxiety, stress, and interoceptive awareness throughout the study. The study aims to understand how this sensory approach may support long-term mental health and substance use treatment in detained youth.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Effectiveness of the SoundHeal Multi-Sensory Integrative Therapy Among Justice-Involved Youth

Who Can Participate

Age: 12Years - 18Years
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Youth aged 12 to 18 years old under juvenile detention
  • Detained in SLO County Juvenile Hall with at least 8 weeks of expected stay at study start
  • Documented history or risk of mental health disorder (depression, anxiety, stress) and/or substance use disorder
  • Basic understanding of English; accommodations for limited literacy allowed
  • Provide assent with parent/guardian or legally authorized representative consent
  • Willingness to comply with the Heal intervention, journaling, and questionnaires
  • Selected fairly in collaboration with facility behavioral-health staff
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Not between 12 and 18 years old or not detained in SLO County Juvenile Hall
  • Expected detention less than 8 weeks at study start
  • Medically or psychiatrically unable to participate safely as determined by onsite staff
  • Unable to provide assent or lacking parent/guardian or legal representative consent
  • Cannot understand basic English even with accommodations
  • Unwilling to comply with intervention, journaling, or questionnaires
  • Currently pregnant or becomes pregnant during the study
  • Participation influenced by coercion or tied to privileges or probation
  • Severe cognitive or behavioral impairment preventing safe participation

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Outpatient Treatment

Duration - 8 weeks

Participants receive the Heal intervention, consisting of 5-minute multi-sensory sessions in the Healpod 1 to 2 times per week before scheduled counseling sessions, followed by journaling or drawing to reflect on their emotional state. This is combined with standard care and talk therapy.

1 to 2 visits per week for 8 weeks

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

San Luis Obispo County Juvenile Hall

San Luis Obispo, California, United States, 93401

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

M

Mahesh Natrajan, MBA

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

NA

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

1

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Published Research Related To This Trial

Anger and depression among incarcerated male youth: Predictors of violent and nonviolent offending during adjustment to incarceration.

Erin L Kelly, Raymond W Novaco, Elizabeth Cauffman

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31204840

The effect and mechanisms of music therapy on the autonomic nervous system and brain networks of patients of minimal conscious states: a randomized controlled trial.

Xiang Xiao, Wenyi Chen, Xiaoying Zhang

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37250411

A meta-analysis of emotional regulation outcomes in psychological interventions for youth with depression and anxiety.

Alexander R Daros, Sasha A Haefner, Shayan Asadi...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34545236