Shalom International was born out of Founder Chris Ratcliff’s personal journey of transformation.

Following a debilitating panic attack after the loss of a close friend during COVID, he began to explore the intersection of neuroscience, therapy and soul care. It was at this intersection where he witnessed the profound connection between his spirituality and the working of the nervous system.

Attach. Heal. Thrive.

A word from the founder

As children we develop fully into our true identities through safe, trusting relationships with our primary caregivers. This early face-to-face relationship is foundational to the ability to reason, think rationally and regulate emotions.

Many families in our city of Detroit are deeply impacted by mental and emotional challenges, often without access to behavioral wellness services. Without the intervention to address the early relationship ruptures, the mind cannot develop the capacity to reason or form healthy relationships.

The ability to learn starts with secure attachment to our primary caregiver, then skills to reason develop and rational thinking occurs. A child’s brain develops abnormally without these developmental steps, and the mind remains in crisis.

This is what is damaging our communities.

Without access to mental and behavioral wellness intervention, no other resources – no literacy programs or goodwill volunteers – will be effective. This is where healing and transformation must begin.