Inside Homeboy’s Approach to Youth Therapy and Mental Health with Fajima Bedran and Jason Delgadillo

<p>At Homeboy Industries, a young person can push a therapist away and still find the door open when they return. Tom Vozzo sits down with therapists Fajima Bedran and Jason Delgadillo to explore how trust, belonging, and consistent care help young people heal from childhood trauma. Together, they discuss youth therapy, complex trauma, EMDR, and the relief of realizing that abuse and neglect were never your fault.</p><p>Fajima and Jason also examine how food insecurity, unstable housing, substance use, and social media perfectionism complicate youth mental health. They share how Homeboy’s community extends support beyond therapy, why forgiveness should never be forced, and how avoiding painful feelings can keep those wounds active. Their conversation reveals what becomes possible when people have both practical support and someone who keeps showing up.</p><p><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Youth therapy requires patience and persistence.</strong></p><p>Young people may initially challenge or reject a therapist. Keeping the relationship available gives them a chance to return when they are ready.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Recognizing trauma can ease self-blame.</strong></p><p>Fajima and Jason discuss how understanding childhood abuse and neglect can help people recognize that they did not deserve what happened to them.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Community carries healing beyond the session.</strong></p><p>At Homeboy, people leave therapy and return to a community that encourages treatment and reinforces the care they experience in the room.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Avoiding pain does not make it disappear.</strong></p><p>Fajima and Jason explain how suppressed feelings can surface elsewhere, including in relationships, and why acknowledging pain matters to healing.</p></li></ul><p><strong>In This Episode</strong></p><ul><li><p>[00:00] Introduction</p></li><li><p>[00:25] Tom welcomes Fajima Bedran and Jason Delgadillo</p></li><li><p>[02:13] How mental health therapy began at Homeboy Industries</p></li><li><p>[04:50] Understanding complex trauma and early relationships</p></li><li><p>[06:59] What it means to do therapy the Homeboy way</p></li><li><p>[08:03] Judgment, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard</p></li><li><p>[11:54] Why Jason wanted to work at Homeboy</p></li><li><p>[13:59] How youth therapy differs from adult therapy</p></li><li><p>[15:41] Childhood neglect, abuse, and attachment wounds</p></li><li>