Evidence-based Organization-Wide Support
The Resilience Institute for Strength and Empowerment (RISE) at Florida State University is a global leader in transforming trauma-organized systems within organizations. Through evidence-based, trauma-aware, and resilience-focused training and research, RISE helps create environments where your staff and clients thrive.
RISE empowers organizations to transform from trauma-unaware to healing-centered, fostering resilience and well-being through evidence-based certification and ongoing support.
Building Resilient Organizations
FSU has been educating and inspiring teams for decades, contributing to its recognition as a global leader. The Resilience Institute brings qualitative and long-term benefits, supporting teams, families, institutions, and organizations in dealing with adversity and trauma.
- Employers recognize the value of resilience in today's world.
- Clients and employees face distressing events that can affect their success.
- This leads to increased anxiety and depression rates.
- Organizations and businesses are also impacted by these challenges.
Our Vision.
We envision a world where healing-centered workplaces are the norm, revolutionizing how organizations operate. Instead of being trauma-inducing like the world around them, these organizations create safe spaces and support staff working in trauma-organized environments, enabling them to thrive while offering effective and high-quality services to people often facing the worst circumstances.
Our Offerings
A comprehensive organizational certification program that transforms workplace culture through trauma-informed practices. The program features two training tracks:
- A 20-hour Professional Certification for organizational champions (10% of staff)
- And a 3-hour Foundational Training for general staff (80% minimum participation).
Participants learn to understand trauma's impacts, build resilience, and implement trauma-aware communication techniques. The certification process includes planning, implementation, integration, and sustainability phases to ensure lasting organizational change.
A transformative workplace communication program developed through a partnership between FSU RISE and Dr. Cindy Bigbie, "America's Communications Coach." The program combines nonviolent communication (NVC) principles with modern workplace needs through an 8-week foundation course featuring both self-paced learning and live practice sessions. Participants progress through four mastery levels, from Foundation Builder to Master Facilitator, with ongoing skill development in the "Empathy Gym." The program focuses on creating psychologically safe environments, improving conflict resolution, and fostering team connections through practical, measurable communication skills.
Upon achieving STAR Certification, organizations gain membership to this collaborative, dedicated to sustaining healing-centered practices.
- Provides a living badge of commitment
- Offers regular audits and assessments
- Grants access to FSU professional development training
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Supports continuous enhancement
This program is currently in development with an anticipated launch in 2025. Organizations interested in joining the Collaborative should first pursue STAR Certification. Contact the RISE team for more information.
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"Embracing trauma-responsive and healing-centered practices requires a profound shift in perspective and understanding. By doing so, we create environments that foster genuine healing, resilience, and growth, ultimately revolutionizing the way we support and empower those who have experienced deep adversity and hurt."
Dr. Angi Yoder Maina, Director Resilience Institute
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"I’ve seen first-hand the impact of trauma on mental and physical health. The partnership with FSU has strengthened our knowledge and awareness of these issues. These skills further increase our effectiveness in addressing both physical and mental health issues."
Rebecca Moles, MD, Medical Director for Simply Healthcare and specialist in child abuse
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"Connection is the experience of ease and flow that occurs within and between people when they are seen, heard and valued without judgment."
Dr. Cindy Bigbie, Bigbie Method
Simply Healthcare
1,500
Employees
January 2023
Sunshine Health
3,500
Employees
May 2024
Henderson Behavioral
447
Employees
September 2024
FSU College of Social Work
79
Employees
Anticipated completion January 2025
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