Our Approach to Care
The Community Activated Medicine Framework™
HIR Wellness Institute is a licensed agency for the Community Activated Medicine™ (CAM) Framework, a theoretical and practice-based training all staff and clinical interns in this innovative, culturally responsive approach to mental health care. Developed by our CEO and Founder, Lea S. Denny, Dr. h.c., MS, LPC, NBCC, NMT, CAM™ reflects over 25 years of her intentional work in transforming mental health service delivery.
Dr. Denny’s contributions include the development of Mental Health Without Borders programming, a comprehensive clinical internship training program, and a sustained commitment to expanding access to healing-centered solutions for survivors of violence, complex loss, grief, and community violence and trauma. Through extensive study, practice, and research, she developed the Community Activated Medicine Framework™, an integrative model that mobilizes both clinical and community-based care. As a counseling theory, CAM™ emphasizes intergenerational and relational connections—with self, others, community, and environment—to address trauma and chronic stress in all its complexity, supporting lasting healing and resilience.
Interested in learning about CAM™ Trainings?
Community Activated Medicine (CAM) Framework™
​Developed by Dr. Lea S. Denny
The Community Activated Medicine Framework™ (CAM) is an innovative, practice-based approach that bridges counseling theory with real-world application in mental health care. CAM emphasizes relational health, intentional slowing down, culturally responsive care, and interdisciplinary, integrated services within Healing-Informed Environments™ that address the pervasive impact of Persistent Toxic Systems and Environments™.​​
Grounded in both science and lived experience, this framework provides mental health professionals with transferable and transformational strategies to support individuals, families, and communities affected by historical trauma, grief, and violence—promoting resilience, collective well-being, and intergenerational healing. (Denny, 2016)
​Impact of CAM™ Informed Practice​​
Through this holistic and relational framework, CAM™ not only improves individual recovery outcomes but also:
-
Strengthens the resilience of families.
-
Improves provider performance, presence, and success rates.
-
Reduces provider burnout and compassion fatigue.
-
Fosters healthier and more connected neighborhoods.
-
Contributes to building systems of care that are responsive, sustainable, and trauma-informed.
"Healing is a journey and not a destination"
- Lea S. Denny
CEO, Founder, and Clinical Director
of the HIR Wellness Institute