UCF RESTORES-Trauma Therapy Program

06/23/2026

First responders carry enough in what are often the toughest moments. Having the right tools to step in when a fellow responder is at risk of su***de can help lessen the mental load.

ASIST (Applied Su***de Intervention Skills Training) is an evidence-based, interactive training that equips participants to recognize su***de risk, intervene effectively in real time, and connect individuals to ongoing support.

We’ve helped certify 10 first responder ASIST trainers who are now prepared to bring this life-saving training directly to their peers across Florida – expanding access, strengthening response, and building support from within the field.

If you think this type of training would benefit your team or agency, please contact the REACT team at [email protected].

06/18/2026

⏰ Final Call to Register!

There’s still time to secure your department’s spot in the upcoming UCF RESTORES 2nd Alarm Project Firefighter Mental Wellness Train-the-Trainer Program.

This no-cost program equips fire service personnel with the knowledge and tools to deliver our 3-hour Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Course within their own departments – helping build sustainable, peer-driven mental wellness support from the inside out.

📅 June 25–26, 2026
📍 Sarasota County Fire Department

Register now: https://bookwhen.com/2ndalarmproject/e/ev-si765-20260324090000

Can't make this session? Let us know you're interested in future training opportunities: https://airtable.com/appd6JqJ894JrohjF/shrtWwhfFCPaQsytk

06/16/2026

Gun Violence Awareness Month is a time to acknowledge all the lives lost to this kind of violence, and the lasting trauma experienced by survivors, families, witnesses, and communities.

The impact of gun violence often extends far beyond the moment it occurs. Exposure to these events can lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and ongoing feelings of fear or hypervigilance. For many, the effects can disrupt daily life, relationships, sleep, and overall well-being long after the event has passed.

At UCF RESTORES, we understand that trauma is both real and treatable, and that there is always hope for individuals and communities to heal from the psychological wounds that often follow violence like this.

We recognize the deep and complex impact of gun violence, and our commitment will always be to support recovery and reaffirm hope for those affected.

We offer a comprehensive treatment approach, including VR-assisted exposure therapy, group therapy, and individual treatment. Our programs are designed to effectively address the symptoms of PTSD and empower individuals to reclaim control of their lives.

If you or someone you know may benefit from any of our services, please reach out to us: https://ucfrestores.com/contact/.

Request an Appointment or Consultation Phone Inquiries General inquiries and treatment consultations: (407) 823-3910 Single Session Consultation Program: (407) 823-1657 Note: If a UCF RESTORES team member is unavailable to answer the phone, please leave a message noting the best time for us to reach...

06/15/2026

A strong peer support team can make all the difference.

If your agency has a peer support team of five members or fewer, we invite you to join us for our upcoming REACT Peer Support Training on July 29, hosted at University of Central Florida .

Offered at no cost to participants, this full-day training provides practical, experience-based strategies to help peer supporters strengthen their skills and better serve their fellow first responders.

Interested? Submit your interest form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsMFuRa1uiuv6FlziMSqX-NBApJWBydUAmkJNw4fw3gCVRLw/viewform

Space is limited, and selected participants will be contacted via email.

06/12/2026

Ten years ago, the Orlando community experienced an unimaginable loss at Pulse Nightclub.

Today, we remember the 49 lives taken, honor the survivors, and stand with the families, friends, and loved ones whose lives were forever changed, as well as highlight the courage and compassion of the first responders, healthcare professionals, and emergency personnel who answered the call that night and in the days, months, and years that followed.

Our community demonstrated extraordinary resilience. At UCF RESTORES, we were privileged to support those impacted by the tragedy and witnessed firsthand the strength that emerges when a community comes together in the face of grief.
We remember. We honor. We stand together.

06/11/2026

Ten years after Pulse, the impact of that night continues to be felt across our community. Not only written in headlines, but in the lives of survivors, loved ones, first responders, and a community forever changed.

This piece from Central Florida Public Media, featuring UCF RESTORES Executive Director Deborah Beidel, Ph.D., ABPP, reflects on the heartbreak, resilience, and growth that have shaped the past decade. It offers an honest look at the lasting impact of trauma and the many ways people continue to heal, remember, and move forward.

As Orlando approaches this solemn anniversary, we encourage you to take the time to listen or read. These reflections are powerful, deeply personal, and an important reminder that healing is not a destination – it is a journey.

Ten years after Orlando’s darkest day, experts, family, and community members weigh in on the grief, what was taken, and how the region evolved.

06/08/2026

June is PTSD Awareness Month.

PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced or witnessed trauma – including military service members, first responders, healthcare professionals, and civilians. Yet despite how common these experiences are, many people continue to suffer in silence.

At UCF RESTORES, we believe that seeking help is a sign of strength. PTSD is not a personal failure, and effective treatment is available. Through evidence-based care, research, and education, we work to help individuals reclaim their lives and move forward after trauma.

This month, we encourage everyone to learn more about PTSD, challenge stigma, and support those who may be struggling. Recovery is possible, and no one has to face it alone.

Learn more about PTSD and the treatment options available to those experiencing it: https://ucfrestores.com/the-psychology-behind-ptsd/.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic, life-altering or life-threatening event. One in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime, but there is much to learn about a diagnosis that impacts approximately...

06/05/2026

Fire departments are invited to join the upcoming UCF RESTORES 2nd Alarm Project Firefighter Mental Wellness Train-the-Trainer Program – a no-cost opportunity designed to help agencies build sustainable, in-house mental health training.

This program prepares members of your team to deliver our 3-hour Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Course, helping departments strengthen support for their personnel from within.

Here are the details:
📅 June 25–26, 2026
📍 Sarasota County Fire Department
💻 Includes a brief self-paced online curriculum review before the in-person workshop.

We encourage departments to send individuals involved in peer support, wellness initiatives, training divisions, or leadership who are passionate about advancing mental wellness in the fire service.

Reserve your spot today: https://bookwhen.com/2ndalarmproject/e/ev-si765-20260324090000

Can’t attend this session? Let us know you’re interested in future training opportunities: https://airtable.com/appd6JqJ894JrohjF/shrtWwhfFCPaQsytk

06/04/2026

🎉The UCF RESTORES REACT Training Program just hit a major milestone! 🎉

Last week’s REACT peer support training with Manatee County, Florida Government first responders – including participants from Manatee County EMS, Manatee County Emergency Communications, and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office – marked our 300th agency trained through the program!

As agencies across the state continue to prioritize mental wellness and peer support, we are honored to help equip first responders with the tools to recognize distress, support one another, and strengthen resilience within their organizations.

A special shoutout to therapy dog Sci, who joined in the afternoon and brought plenty of smiles and a little extra support to the group.

06/01/2026

Today, the Port St. Lucie Police Department stands alongside our brothers and sisters of the St. Lucie County Fire District as they mourn the loss of one of their own.

Behind every badge is a person who chose a life of service, sacrifice, and commitment to others. They answered the call when their community needed them most and left an impact that will never be forgotten.

While this loss is felt most deeply by those who served beside them, it is a loss shared by all of us. The bonds that unite the public safety profession extend far beyond agency lines. We are one family, and when one of us grieves, we all grieve.

To the firefighter’s family, friends, and the entire St. Lucie County Fire District, please know that you do not walk through this difficult time alone. The men and women of PSLPD stand with you, mourn with you, and keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

May we honor their life, remember their service, and carry forward the legacy they leave behind.

One Mission. One Community. One Family.