Healing To You

Mission and Vision
Healing To You provides comprehensive medical and mental health services to adults and children impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. Our goal is to close the gap in access to healthcare services to promote well being and heal the impact of trauma.

Healing To You envisions a future free of violence in the home for children and adults to be able to thrive in life. We hope to interrupt the generational cycle of abuse by providing supportive services early.

Healing To You's founder, Cari Teran, is a licensed marriage and family therapist who started her career with survivors of domestic violence as the Children’s Program Coordinator of WomenShelter Long Beach. In the 1990's Cari then implemented Sojourn Services' first program of domestic violence emergency response with LAPD Pacific Division, UCLA Emergency Department, and other Los Angeles westside medical facilities.

For over 20 years Cari has worked in a clinical capacity as supervisor and program director for community mental health agencies serving children and their families exposed to abuse and trauma. Noticing the gap in access to medical and mental health services in domestic violence shelters, Cari founded Healing To You. By bringing healthcare directly to the shelter, mobile units ensure that survivors have access to essential care without compromising their safety or confidentiality. These services provide comprehensive support, addressing both physical and psychological needs, and establish trust and rapport with survivors over time. Moreover, mobile services offer flexibility, adaptability, and continuity of care, bridging the gap between shelter living and mainstream healthcare systems. Healing To You brings the medical and mental health services to survivors in hopes of mitigating their trauma response so they can begin to heal.

Healing to You (HTY) has had a profound impact on the lives of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse across Southern California. Through compassionate, trauma-informed healthcare and mental health services, HTY continues to transform lives, restore hope, and build healthier communities.

In 2024, HTY served 387 patients and provided 921 medical services through its mobile healthcare program. The mobile clinics made it possible to reach survivors where they are—often in domestic violence shelters—ensuring they received the care they needed when they needed it most.

A pivotal milestone for HTY is the upcoming opening of the Wilmington Comprehensive Community Clinic (WCCC) in Spring 2025. Once open, WCCC will serve as a dedicated resource for primary healthcare, mental health support, sexual assault forensic exams, and advocacy services. This clinic will become a cornerstone of care for survivors, providing them with a safe and supportive environment where their healing can begin.

Through its work, HTY also distributed 400 boxes of Narcan, conducted 268 screenings and safety assessments, and provided over 2,500 mental health resources. The organization has not only improved access to care but has also fostered prevention and education through initiatives like Brave Comics in partnership with The Joyful Child Foundation, in Memory of Samantha Runnion, which educate individuals and families on safety and violence prevention.

HTY’s impact goes beyond just healthcare; it’s about creating lasting change for survivors. With a growing network of services and a commitment to meeting survivors where they are, HTY continues to break down barriers and empower individuals to heal, rebuild, and reclaim their futures.

Addressing the Urgent Needs of Survivors

Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse face numerous barriers to healing, including limited access to healthcare, mental health services, and victim advocacy. In Southern California, where high rates of violence continue to affect individuals and families, many survivors struggle to find the care and support they need, particularly those in underserved communities. For many, traditional healthcare systems and services are either too far away or out of reach due to lack of transportation, financial barriers, or the stigma surrounding abuse.

The need for accessible, trauma-informed care is urgent. As HTY continues to expand, the need for its services only grows. The Wilmington Comprehensive Community Clinic (WCCC), set to open in Spring 2025, will address this gap in care by providing a centralized, trauma-informed space for survivors to receive primary healthcare, sexual assault forensic exams, and mental health support. However, the clinic alone cannot meet the needs of all survivors. The organization must continue its mobile clinic services to reach those who are unable to travel, ensuring no survivor is left behind.

Without sustained funding and support, HTY risks falling short in its efforts to meet the overwhelming demand for its services. The financial resources required to maintain and expand these critical programs—including staffing, medical equipment, and community outreach—are essential for HTY to continue providing the high-quality care that survivors rely on.

The need is clear: survivors of abuse deserve accessible, compassionate, and comprehensive care that helps them heal and rebuild their lives. With your support, HTY can continue to bridge the gap, ensuring that every survivor has access to the services they need to start their journey toward healing.

Our mobile clinics serve San Diego, Orange, and Riverside Counties. Our Wilmington Comprehensive Community Clinic serves the South Bay Los Angeles area, also known as Los Angeles County Service Planning Area (SPA)8.

Healing To You is the only service provider of it's kind in California, combining comprehensive trauma-informed physical and emotional care tailored to the needs of survivors of abuse. So often children are viewed as "too young to understand or remember" the trauma they are exposed to. However, neuroscience tells us that children are impacted by violence they witness. They may choose abusive partners later in life, engage in maladaptive coping skills, or experience chronic psychical and emotional issues. Our goal is to help stop the cycle of violence and support children and adults in leading healthier lives.

On behalf of the board of directors of Healing to You, I am honored to share our commitment to improving the lives of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in Southern California. Healing to You has been a beacon of hope for those who have faced unimaginable trauma, providing essential medical, mental health, and advocacy services to those who need it most.

As we look back on the incredible impact HTY has made through its mobile healthcare program and our upcoming expansion with the Wilmington Comprehensive Community Clinic (WCCC), we are reminded of the profound difference our work has on the lives of survivors. Yet, the need for services continues to grow. More and more survivors find themselves in crisis, isolated and unable to access the care they deserve.

Our mission to provide trauma-informed, accessible, and comprehensive care remains unwavering. But to meet the increasing demand, we must rely on the generosity of donors, partners, and supporters who believe in our work and understand the urgent need to invest in the healing of survivors. With your support, we will continue to expand our reach, enhance our programs, and ensure that every survivor has the resources they need to rebuild their life.
We are proud of the work we have done, but we know that there is so much more to be done. Healing to You’s success depends on people like you—individuals and organizations who are willing to stand with survivors and help make our vision of a healthier, more compassionate future a reality.

On behalf of the board, thank you for your continued support and for believing in the power of healing and transformation.

Maija Merchant