Vital Mind Intensive: Liberation-Based Group Program with Shale Maulana
Transform through collective healing. Join 12 growth-seekers for weekly sessions, neurofeedback integration, and community support.
Next Cohort Starts: April 2026 | Applications Close: March 15, 2026
WHAT IS THE VITAL MIND INTENSIVE?
The Vital Mind Intensive is a comprehensive 6-month group therapy and coaching program designed for individuals seeking meaningful transformation through community support, holistic healing practices, and liberation-based care.
This isn't traditional group therapy. We combine evidence-based therapeutic techniques with neurofeedback technology, somatic practices, and collective healing—all grounded in anti-oppressive, culturally responsive frameworks.
Here's what makes this program unique:
Over six transformative months, you'll be part of an intimate cohort of 12 individuals committed to deep healing work. Together, you'll explore emotional regulation, nervous system healing, mindfulness practices, and liberation from oppressive patterns—both personal and systemic.
The Vital Mind Intensive recognizes that healing doesn't happen in isolation. True transformation emerges when we do our individual work while being held by a supportive community.
WHO THIS PROGRAM IS FOR
The Vital Mind Intensive is designed for:
BIPOC individuals navigating the mental health impacts of systemic oppression and racism
Those feeling stuck in traditional therapy approaches that don't address the whole person
People seeking community who are tired of healing alone
Individuals ready for deep work beyond surface-level coping strategies
Anyone wanting holistic care that honors mind, body, and spirit
Those experiencing:
Anxiety, depression, or chronic stress
Trauma (especially complex trauma, childhood trauma, or racial trauma)
Difficulty with emotional regulation
Feeling disconnected from their body or emotions
The impacts of marginalization and systemic oppression
A desire for more meaningful connection and support
You're a good fit if:
You're ready to commit to six months of weekly attendance, willing to be vulnerable in community, open to trying new practices (like neurofeedback and somatic work), and invested in both your own healing and supporting others in their journey.
WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE
Program Structure
Weekly Group Sessions (90 minutes)
Every week, our cohort gathers for guided sessions focusing on a specific theme or practice. These aren't lectures—they're experiential, interactive sessions where you'll learn, practice, and process together.
Monthly Individual Check-Ins (30 minutes)
One-on-one sessions with Shale Maulana ensure your individual needs are met and help you integrate what you're learning in the group setting.
Between-Session Support
Access to our private community platform for connection, questions, and ongoing support. You're never alone in this process.
Optional Neurofeedback Integration
Add neurofeedback brain training to accelerate nervous system regulation and deepen your healing work. Train from home with professional oversight.
($600 additional for 6 months)
Resources & Tools
Guided meditations, worksheets, somatic practices, journaling prompts, and integration exercises to support your growth between sessions.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Month 1: Foundations of Liberation & the Nervous System
Understanding how trauma and oppression live in the body
Introduction to nervous system regulation
Building safety in community
Grounding and centering practices
Month 2: Somatic Awareness & Body Liberation
Reconnecting with body wisdom
Somatic practices for trauma release
The body as a site of resistance and healing
Movement and breathwork
Month 3: EMDR Principles for Group Processing
Understanding how EMDR works
Bilateral stimulation techniques
Processing difficult experiences in community
Resourcing and self-soothing
Month 4: Mindfulness & Present-Moment Healing
Mindfulness practices rooted in liberation
Working with difficult emotions
Cultivating self-compassion
Present-moment awareness for daily life
Month 5: Hypnotherapy & Subconscious Repatterning
Accessing the subconscious mind
Releasing limiting beliefs
Hypnotic techniques for self-regulation
Creating new neural pathways
Month 6: Integration & Sustainable Liberation Practices
Bringing it all together
Creating your personalized toolkit
Building sustainable practices
Celebrating transformation and next steps
MEET YOUR GUIDE
Shale Maulana, MPH, LMSW
Liberation-Based Therapist | Neurofeedback Practitioner | Holistic Healer
I'm a licensed social worker specializing in liberation-based therapy for BIPOC individuals and those navigating systemic oppression. With training in EMDR, somatic therapy, neurofeedback, hypnotherapy, and mindfulness practices, I bring both clinical expertise and lived experience to this work.
My approach is rooted in the belief that healing is both personal and collective. I've seen firsthand how powerful transformation becomes when we stop trying to heal alone and start doing the work in community.
I've led retreats, facilitated groups, and supported hundreds of individuals in their healing journeys. The Vital Mind Intensive is the culmination of everything I've learned about what creates lasting, meaningful change.
My background includes:
Licensed Social Worker (LMSW)
EMDR trained therapist
Certified neurofeedback practitioner (Myndlift)
500-hour yoga teacher training
Reiki master
Public health background
Published writer in Brainz Magazine
WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS SAY
"Working with Shale changed my life. The combination of individual therapy and community support gave me tools I use every single day. I finally feel like I can breathe." — Former client
"Shale creates a space where I can be my full self—all the messy, beautiful parts. The group work was transformative in ways I didn't expect." — Retreat participant
"I was skeptical about neurofeedback, but adding it to my therapy work accelerated my healing in ways I can't fully explain. My anxiety decreased significantly." — Neurofeedback client
SECTION 7: INVESTMENT & COMMITMENT
Pricing
Core Program: $2,500
26 weekly 90-minute group sessions
6 monthly individual check-ins (30 minutes each)
Community platform access
All resources, worksheets, and guided practices
Lifetime access to recorded sessions (virtual)
With Neurofeedback Integration: $3,100
Everything in core program PLUS:
Neurofeedback assessment and personalized protocol
6 months of home neurofeedback training
Weekly progress tracking and adjustments
Integration of neurofeedback insights into group work
Payment Plans Available
Offering 3-month and 6-month payment plans to make this investment more accessible. Email me to discuss options.
What's Required
Time Commitment:
Weekly 90-minute sessions (same day/time each week for 6 months)
15-30 minutes of between-session practice
Monthly 30-minute individual check-in
Attendance: Regular attendance is important. Life happens, but we ask for commitment to attend at least 80% of sessions (21 out of 26).
Participation: Active engagement in sessions and willingness to be vulnerable in community. You don't have to share everything, but you do need to show up authentically.
Respect: Honoring confidentiality, showing up on time, and treating fellow cohort members with respect and compassion.
SECTION 8: LOGISTICS
When & Where
Next Cohort: April 2026 - September 2026
Session Day/Time: Tuesdays, 2-3:30pm EST (to be finalized with cohort)
Virtual: Zoom sessions
Time Zone Friendly: Sessions are recorded so you can catch up if you miss one.
Group Size
Limited to 12 participants maximum to ensure intimate, meaningful connection and individual attention.
APPLICATION PROCESS
How to Join
Step 1: Submit Application
Complete a brief application sharing about yourself, your goals, and why you're interested in the Vital Mind Intensive.
Step 2: Book a Free Info Call
Schedule a 20-minute conversation with Shale to see if the program is right for you, ask questions, and learn more about what to expect.
Step 3: Enrollment
Once accepted, you'll receive enrollment details and secure your spot with a $500 deposit (applied to program cost).
Step 4: Join the Cohort
Meet your cohort members in our private platform before the first session. Orientation call in late March 2026.
Important Dates
Applications Open: February 1, 2026
Applications Close: March 15, 2026
Enrollment Confirmations: March 20, 2026
Orientation Call: Late March 2026
First Session: April 2026 (exact date TBD with cohort)
SECTION 10: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is this therapy or coaching?
It's both. The Vital Mind Intensive combines therapeutic modalities (EMDR, somatic therapy) with coaching techniques (goal-setting, accountability). Shale is a licensed therapist, so the clinical depth is there, but the format is more action-oriented than traditional therapy.
Can I do this if I'm already in individual therapy?
Absolutely! Many participants continue individual therapy while in the program. In fact, the group work often deepens what's happening in individual sessions. Just let your individual therapist know you're joining a group program.
What if I can't make every session?
We understand life happens. We ask for at least 80% attendance (21 out of 26 sessions). If you're virtual, sessions are recorded. If you need to miss more than 5 sessions, this may not be the right time for you to join.
Is this only for BIPOC individuals?
No, though the program is specifically designed with BIPOC experiences in mind. We welcome anyone committed to anti-oppressive values and who is seeking culturally responsive, liberation-based care. The cohort will reflect diverse backgrounds and identities.
What if I'm not sure about neurofeedback?
You don't need to decide upfront! You can join the core program and add neurofeedback anytime in the first month if you're curious. We'll explain how it works in our first sessions.
Do you take insurance?
The Vital Mind Intensive is not covered by insurance. However, you may be able to use HSA/FSA funds. You can also request a superbill to submit to insurance for potential partial reimbursement (out-of-network benefits).
What happens after the 6 months?
Some cohorts choose to continue meeting informally. Others transition to individual work with Shale. You'll have lifetime access to all resources and recordings, and you're always part of the Vital Mind community.
I live outside NYC. Can I still participate?
Yes! Virtual participation is fully supported. While there's something special about in-person connection, we've had amazing virtual cohorts where people form deep bonds across distance.
What if I realize it's not a fit?
We want you to feel confident in your decision. If you decide within the first 2 sessions that it's not right for you, we'll refund your payment minus the $500 deposit and your individual session fees.
READY TO TRANSFORM?
You don't have to heal alone. You don't have to keep pushing through on your own.
The Vital Mind Intensive offers something rare: a community of people doing deep work together, skilled guidance from someone who understands liberation-based healing, and practical tools that create lasting change.
This is your invitation to:
Stop trying to figure it out alone
Experience what collective healing feels like
Build a toolkit for sustainable well-being
Connect with others who truly get it
Transform in ways you didn't think possible
Next cohort starts April 2026. Only 12 spots available. Applications close March 15.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Connect with Shale
Email me with any questions.
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