麻豆原创 Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor Deborah Beidel, who serves as executive director of 麻豆原创 RESTORES, has been named a finalist for the Orlando Sentinel‘s 2026 Central Floridian of the Year award, an honor recognizing those whose leadership and community impact shape the region.

The award recognizes Beidel 鈥� representing the entire 麻豆原创 RESTORES team 鈥� for building a national model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment. Since its founding in 2011, 麻豆原创 RESTORES has treated more than 2,150 individuals, including nearly 600 military members and more than 1,350 first responders. All treatment is provided at no charge, supported by state funding, federal grants and private donations.

鈥淲hen we founded 麻豆原创 RESTORES, we set out to prove that PTSD treatment could be faster, more effective and accessible to everyone who needs it,鈥� Beidel says. 鈥淥ver the past 15 years, that mission has grown into something larger: a comprehensive system of treatment, training, and crisis response that meets people wherever they are in their journey toward healing. This recognition reflects the clinicians, researchers and staff who have made that vision a reality.鈥�

The center鈥檚 intensive outpatient program produces outcomes that exceed national standards 鈥� 76% of participants no longer meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD following treatment, and the program boasts a relapse rate of less than 1%.

Several states are now establishing similar programs, sending clinicians and researchers to Orlando to study 麻豆原创 RESTORES’ approach.

What began as a research-focused treatment program has expanded into a comprehensive ecosystem of care encompassing clinical treatment, peer support training, crisis response and family resources.

, 麻豆原创 RESTORES clinicians:

• Delivered more than 2,100 hours of evidence-based care;
• Trained more than 450 first responders through the center’s REACT peer support program;
• Unveiled a first-of-its-kind mobile Resiliency Command Center to deliver psychological support at disaster scenes; and,
• Integrated the 麻豆原创 RESTORES 2nd Alarm Project, extending capacity-building and behavioral health navigation services to agencies across Florida’s Panhandle.

麻豆原创 RESTORES has also responded to large-scale tragedies including the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting and the 2021 Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside, FL, providing on-site mental health support to survivors, families, and emergency personnel. All treatment is provided at no charge, supported by state funding, federal grants and private donations.

鈥淒r. Beidel鈥檚 work reflects the very best of 麻豆原创. She combines compassion, research and innovation to address one of the most complex challenges facing our local communities,鈥� says 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淭hrough 麻豆原创 RESTORES, she has redefined how PTSD is treated, turning breakthrough ideas into real solutions for those who need them most. Because of her work, first responders, trauma survivors, and so many others across Central Florida, and beyond, are finding a path forward.鈥�

The Central Floridian of the Year finalist recognition follows Beidel’s selection as the Big 12 Conference’s 2025 Faculty of the Year for 麻豆原创. Now in its second year, the award showcases the academic excellence, research breakthroughs and educational opportunities available to students at Big 12 institutions.

Recipients will include this year鈥檚 awardees of some of the highest honors the university bestows, including: Pegasus Professor; the鈥疢edal of Societal Impact; the Reach for the Stars Award; the Big 12 Faculty Member of the Year Award; and the Champion of Student Success and Well-Being.

Also being honored are university excellence award winners; those who recently reached milestone years of service; Faculty Senate service awardees; faculty granted鈥�别尘别谤颈迟耻蝉鈥�辞谤鈥�别尘别谤颈迟补鈥�status; and retired or retiring faculty members.

This year鈥檚 celebration includes recognition of Chuck Dziuban, one of the longest-serving and most trailblazing faculty members in school history. His remarkable 55-year-career includes being 麻豆原创鈥檚 inaugural Pegasus Professor and founding director of the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning.

Starting this year at Founders鈥� Day, the Chuck D. Dziuban Award for Excellence in Online Teaching will be given to underscore the talented faculty behind 麻豆原创鈥檚 nationally renowned reputation as a leader in in online teaching and learning.

Here are this year鈥檚 faculty honorees.

Pegasus Professor Award

Hassan聽Foroosh,聽College of Engineering and Computer Science

Carmen聽Giurgescu, College of Nursing

Annette R. Khaled, College of Medicine

Matthew Marino, College of聽Community Innovation and Education

Reach for the Stars Award

John Bush, College of Business

Ana Carolina聽de Souza Feliciano, Office of Research

Shyam Kattel, College of Sciences

Kevin Moran, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Soyoung Park, College of Community Innovation and Education

Hao Zheng, College of Engineering and Computer Sciences

Medal of Societal Impact Award

Zhihua Qu, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Champion of Student Success and Well-Being Award

Suha Saleh,聽College of Health Professions and Sciences

Big 12 Faculty Member of the Year

Deborah Beidel, College of Sciences

Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

College Awardees

Tanvir Ahmed, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Norine Blanch, College of Community Innovation and Education

Matthew Bryan, College of Arts and Humanities

Peter Delfyett, College of Optics and Photonics

Nyla Dil, College of Medicine

Katia Ferdowsi, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Murat Hancer, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Deborah Horzen, College of Arts and Humanities

Richard Jerousek, College of Sciences

Betsy Kalin, College of Sciences

Evelin Pegoraro, College of Arts and Humanities

Richard Plate, College of Community Innovation and Education

Alfons Schulte, College of Sciences

Nicholas Shrubsole, College of Arts and Humanities

Daniel Stephens, College of Community Innovation and Education

Wei Sun, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Danielle Webster, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Sara Willox, College of Business

Xiaohu Xia, College of Sciences

Widaad Zaman, College of Sciences

University Winner

Norine Blanch, College of Community Innovation and Education

Excellence in Graduate Teaching

College Awardees

Shaurya Agarwal, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Kim Anderson, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Christopher Blackwell, College of Nursing

Shannon Carter, College of Sciences

Sasan Fathpour, College of Optics and Photonics

Murat Hancer, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Dana Joseph, College of Business

Magdalena Pasarica, College of Medicine

Mel Stanfill, College of Arts and Humanities

Vassiliki Zygouris-Coe, College of Community Innovation and Education

University Winner

Christopher Blackwell, College of Nursing

Excellence in Research

College Awardees

Sarah Bush, College of Community Innovation and Education

Zixi (Jack) Cheng, College of Medicine

Enrique Del Barco, College of Sciences

Romain Gaume, College of Optics and Photonics

Nan Hua, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Kevin Mullally, College of Business

Matthew Stock, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Ladda Thiamwong, College of Nursing

Subith Vasu, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Cyrus Zargar, College of Arts and Humanities

University Winner

Enrique Del Barco, College of Sciences

Chuck D. Dziuban Award for Excellence in Online Teaching

Nicole Lapeyrouse, College of Sciences

Excellence in Faculty Academic Advising

Emily Proulx, College of Arts and Humanities

Excellence in Professional Service

Linda Walters, College of Sciences

Excellence in Librarianship

Katy Miller, 麻豆原创 Libraries

Excellence in Instructional Design

Amy Sugar, Division of Digital Learning

University Award for Excellence in Mentoring Doctoral Students

Engineering, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences

Subith Vasu, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Social Science, Humanities, Education, Business, Art and Health

David Boote, College of Community Innovation and Education

University Award for Excellence in Mentoring Postdoctoral Scholars

Kausik Mukhopadhyay, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Thomas Wahl, College of Engineering and Computer Science

20 Years of Service

Haiyan Bai, College of Community Innovation and Education

Brian Barone, College of Arts and Humanities

Aman Behal, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Corinne Bishop, 麻豆原创 Libraries

Joseph Brennan, College of Sciences

Mark Calabrese, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Li-Mei Chen, College of Medicine

Baiyun Chen, Division of Digital Learning

Joshua Colwell, College of Sciences

William Crampton, College of Sciences

Richard Curcio, College of Business

Donovan Dixon, College of Sciences

Martin Dupuis, Burnett Honors College

Michelle Dusseau, College of Sciences

Dorin Dutkay, College of Sciences

Kirk Gay, College of Arts and Humanities

Deborah German, College of Medicine

William Hagedorn, College of Community Innovation and Education

Joseph Harrington, College of Sciences

Fayeza Hasanat, College of Arts and Humanities

Bobby Hoffman, College of Community Innovation and Education

Elizabeth Hoffman, College of Community Innovation and Education

Alisha Janowsky, College of Sciences

Abdelkader Kara, College of Sciences

David Kwun, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Stephen Lambert, College of Medicine

Peter Larson, College of Arts and Humanities

Joseph LaViola Jr., College of Engineering and Computer Science

Edgard Maboudou, College of Sciences

Kevin Mackie, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Iryna Malendevych, College of Community Innovation and Education

Jonathan Matusitz, College of Sciences

Holly McDonald, College of Arts and Humanities

Florin Mihai, College of Arts and Humanities

Olga Molina, College of Health Professions and Sciences

George Musambira, College of Sciences

Nina Orlovskaya, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Talat Rahman, College of Sciences

25 Years of Service

Laura Albers-Biddle, College of Community Innovation and Education

Steven Berman, College of Sciences

Tarek Buhagiar, College of Business

Melissa Dagley, College of Sciences

Sabatino DiBernardo, College of Arts and Humanities

Mark Dickie, College of Business

Ivan Garibay, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Anthony Grajeda, College of Arts and Humanities

Bari Hoffman, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Steven Hornik, College of Business

Anna Jones, College of Arts and Humanities

Mikhail Klimov, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Stefanie Mayfield Garcia, College of Business

Rudy McDaniel, College of Arts and Humanities

Rachel Mulvihill, 麻豆原创 Libraries

Christopher Niess, College of Arts and Humanities

Eugene Paoline, College of Community Innovation and Education

Sumanta Pattanaik, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Tison Pugh, College of Arts and Humanities

Walter Sotero, College of Sciences

Suren Tatulian, College of Sciences

Nizam Uddin, College of Sciences

Lei Wei, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Graham Worthy, College of Sciences

Shin-Tson Wu, College of Optics and Photonics

30 Years of Service

Charlie Abraham, College of Arts and Humanities

Helen Becker, College of Business

James Campbell, College of Arts and Humanities

Karl X. Chai, College of Medicine

Ratna Chakrabarti, College of Medicine

Jill Fjelstul, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Barbara Fritzsche, College of Sciences

Nora Lee Garc铆a, College of Arts and Humanities

Linwood Jones, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Alexander Katsevich, College of Sciences

Kuotsai Tom Liou, College of Community Innovation and Education

Lisa Logan, College of Arts and Humanities

Humberto L贸pez Cruz, College of Arts and Humanities

Eric Martin, Office of Research

Kevin Meehan, College of Arts and Humanities

Charles H. Reilly, Office of the Provost

Timothy Rotarius, College of Community Innovation and Education

Peter Spyers-Duran, 麻豆原创 Libraries

Alexander Tovbis, College of Sciences

Laurence von Kalm, College of Sciences

Linda Walters, College of Sciences

Bruce Wilson, College of Sciences

Hong Zhang, College of Arts and Humanities

Ying Zhang, 麻豆原创 Libraries

35 Years of Service

Issa Batarseh, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Alain Kassab, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Mansooreh Mollaghasemi, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Robert Peale, College of Sciences

Chung-Ching Wang, College of Sciences

40 Years of Service

Ahmad Elshennawy, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Michael Georgiopoulos, College of Engineering and Computer Science

David Hagan, College of Optics and Photonics

Anna Lillios, College of Arts and Humanities

Mubarak Shah, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Kalpathy Sundaram, College of Engineering and Computer Science

45 Years of Service

Robert Rivers, College of Arts and Humanities

55 Years of Service

Chuck Dziuban, Division of Digital Learning

Faculty Emeritus and Emerita

Lynn Casmier-Paz, College of Arts and Humanities

James Clark, College of Arts and Humanities

Teresa Dorman, College of Sciences

Chuck Dziuban, Division of Digital Learning

Amy Giroux, College of Arts and Humanities

Glenda Gunter, College of Community Innovation and Education

Michael Hampton, College of Sciences

Richard Hofler, College of Business

Robin Kohn, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Piotr Mikusinski, College of Sciences

Ram Mohapatra, College of Sciences

Donna Neff, College of Nursing

Alice Noblin, College of Community Innovation and Education

Robert Peale, College of Sciences

Trey Philpotts, College of Arts and Humanities

Robin Roberts, College of Business

Sherron Killingsworth Roberts, College of Community Innovation and Education

Lisa Roney, College of Arts and Humanities

Sybil St. Claire, College of Arts and Humanities

Terry Ann Thaxton, College of Arts and Humanities

Deborah Weaver, College of Arts and Humanities

Retired Faculty

Ahlam Al-Rawi, College of Sciences

Donna Breit, College of Nursing

Martha Brenckle, College of Arts and Humanities

Chinyen Chuo, Student Success and Well-Being

Therese Coleman, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Robertico Croes, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Juli Dixon, College of Community Innovation and Education

Teresa Dorman, College of Sciences

Chuck Dziuban, Division of Digital Learning

Philip Fairey, Office of Research

John Fauth, College of Sciences

Amy Giroux, College of Arts and Humanities

Glenda Gunter, College of Community Innovation and Education

Michael Hampton, College of Sciences

Roger Handberg, College of Sciences

C. Keith Harrison, College of Business

Randall Hewitt, College of Community Innovation and Education

Rebecca Hines, College of Community Innovation and Education

Richard Hofler, College of Business

Charlie Hughes, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Alvaro Islas, College of Sciences

Mourad Ismail, College of Sciences

David Jenkins, College of Sciences

Michael Johnson, Office of the Provost

Dayle Jones, College of Community Innovation and Education

Denise Kay, College of Medicine

Gary Leavens, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Mary Little, College of Community Innovation and Education

Humberto L贸pez Cruz, College of Arts and Humanities

Michael Macedonia, Office of Research

Wasfy Mikhael, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Piotr Mikusinski, College of Sciences

Roslyn Miller, Division of Digital Learning

Ram Mohapatra, College of Sciences

Vicki Montoya, College of Nursing

Brian Moore, College of Sciences

Donna Felber Neff, College of Nursing

Alice Noblin, College of Community Innovation and Education

Peggy Nuhn, 麻豆原创 Libraries

Joyce Nutta, College of Community Innovation and Education

Jeffrey O鈥橞rien, College of Business

Bendegul Okumus, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Fevzi Okumus, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Robert Peale, College of Sciences

Trey Philpotts, College of Arts and Humanities

Brian Plamondon, Office of Research

Michael Proctor, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Enrique Puig, College of Community Innovation and Education

Pedro Quintana-Ascencio, College of Sciences

Mark Rapport, College of Sciences

Sherron Roberts, College of Community Innovation and Education

Kelly Schaffer, College of Community Innovation and Education

Elzbieta Sikorska, College of Sciences

Jo Smith, Division of Digital Learning

Sybil St. Claire, College of Arts and Humanities

Mark Steiner, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Raymond Surette, College of Community Innovation and Education

Terry Ann Thaxton, College of Arts and Humanities

Patti Thielemann, College of Nursing

Cheryl Van De Mark, College of Community Innovation and Education

Martine Vanryckeghem, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Jane Vaughan, College of Arts and Humanities

Scott Warfield, College of Arts and Humanities

Debbie Weaver, College of Arts and Humanities

Philip Wessel, College of Community Innovation and Education

James Whitworth, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Boguslawa Anna Wolford, College of Community Innovation and Education

Laine Wyatt, College of Arts and Humanities

Cherie Yestrebsky, College of Sciences

Martin Klapheke, College of Medicine

Stephen Lambert, College of Medicine

Olga Molina, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Euripides Montagne, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Darlin’ Neal, College of Arts and Humanities

Michael Pape, College of Business

Tison Pugh, College of Arts and Humanities

David Young, College of Sciences

Beidel will be recognized for this honor during 麻豆原创鈥檚 2026 Founders鈥� Day, which takes place Wednesday, April 1, in the Pegasus Ballroom of the Student Union.

Beidel founded 麻豆原创 RESTORES as a clinical research center dedicated to changing how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is understood, diagnosed and treated. A psychologist and international leader in her field, Beidel鈥檚 use of virtual reality to treat PTSD among veterans, first responders and emergency workers has led to treatments that are two to three times more effective than standard psychological treatments.

In May, Beidel and 麻豆原创 Restores unveiled a first-of-its-kind mobile Resiliency Command Center to provide safe on-site treatment of first responders at crisis scenes, such as natural disasters, line-of-duty tragedies and mass casualty events. The center originated from a partnership with the Florida Legislature, the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal and Lockheed Martin (a 麻豆原创 Pegasus Partner).

鈥淒r. Beidel innovates with purpose and the unwavering belief that no one should bear the weight of trauma or PTSD alone,鈥� says 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淪he brings that vision to life every day through 麻豆原创 RESTORES by turning compassion into action and research into hope. This recognition from the Big 12 honors her extraordinary impact and leadership in creating solutions that transform lives.鈥�

The Big 12 award adds to the major honors Beidel has earned since joining 麻豆原创 in 2007. She is a trustee chair and Pegasus Professor, the highest faculty honor at 麻豆原创.

Over her career, Beidel has combined prolific scholarship with groundbreaking research. She has authored more than 300 scientific publications and secured more than $31 million in federal funding to develop and translate treatments for anxiety and PTSD into real-world clinical settings. State and federal governmental agencies and community organizations consult with her regularly on how to deal with the aftermath of mass violence.

Big 12 institutions nominated their faculty of the year candidates in collaboration with faculty athletics representatives, provosts and other university leaders. Now in its second year, the award showcases the academic excellence, research breakthroughs and educational opportunities available to students at Big 12 institutions.

麻豆原创 joined the Big 12 in 2023 as the youngest school among the nation鈥檚 major athletic conferences. In the latest聽U.S. News & World Report聽Best Colleges Rankings, 麻豆原创 ties for second among Big 12 public institutions and fifth overall.

As the devastating flash floods that struck Central Texas on July 4, continue to impact communities across the state, first responders remain on the front lines, navigating both physical danger and the mental stress these disasters leave behind. For many, the emotional strain of responding to large-scale crises is made even heavier when children are among the victims.

, executive director of and trustee chair and Pegasus Professor of psychology and medical education, knows this burden well. 麻豆原创 RESTORES provides clinical treatment services to first responders, front-line medical personnel, military veterans, active-duty military personnel, and survivors of mass violence and natural disasters. Since the program鈥檚 founding in 2011, Beidel and her team have treated 1,300 first responders through its innovative program, which includes elements of virtual reality. 麻豆原创 RESTORES鈥� treatment success rates far exceed the national average, with 76% of first responders no longer meeting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnostic criteria after three weeks of treatment.

The 麻豆原创 RESTORES team has responded to the scenes of many disasters, including the Pulse nightclub shooting, Surfside condo collapse, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and many hurricanes.

Below are a few of Beidel鈥檚 insights regarding first responders helping with the Texas floods.

Having so many children as victims can have an 鈥渆specially profound鈥� psychological impact.

The most common reason first responders seek help from 麻豆原创 RESTORES is trauma involving the deaths of children. Pediatric fatalities leave a lasting emotional imprint, more than almost any other type of event. When multiple children are injured or killed in a single incident, that emotional burden becomes even more overwhelming.

Trauma can hit even harder for first responders who are parents of young children.

We’ve heard from many firefighters and rescue personnel who鈥檝e told us that, in the moment, they suddenly saw their own child in the victim. Others have shared that in their nightmares after the event, it’s their own child they鈥檙e trying to save. As a therapist, that鈥檚 a group I would want to monitor closely and support through proactive mental health care.

First responders can experience a range of emotional and psychological reactions in the weeks and months to come.

It鈥檚 not uncommon for them to struggle with sleep, appetite or intrusive thoughts about what they saw. For some, these symptoms may fade over time without the need for treatment. But for others, the distress can persist and even intensify, leading to conditions like PTSD, depression or panic attacks. When those symptoms start interfering with daily life 鈥� whether it鈥檚 difficulty focusing at work, withdrawing from family, becoming irritable or avoiding the job altogether 鈥� that鈥檚 often a sign that professional help is needed. Recovery looks different for everyone. There鈥檚 no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. At 麻豆原创 RESTORES, we tailor treatment to each individual鈥檚 experience and needs, helping them regain control and begin to heal 鈥� both on the job and at home.

One of the most meaningful ways society can support first responders is by showing up for their loved ones.

Most people truly value the service and sacrifice of first responders, and saying 鈥渢hank you鈥� is always appreciated. But when possible, going beyond words can make an even greater impact. For instance, when responders are deployed to large-scale disasters, like the flooding in Texas, they can be away from home for weeks. That puts a real strain on the families they leave behind. Simple gestures such as offering to mow the lawn, pick up groceries or watch the kids so their partner can have a moment of rest can ease the load at home and give the responder peace of mind, knowing their family is being cared for. It鈥檚 in these everyday acts of kindness that we show real support, not just for the job they do, but for the sacrifices their whole family makes.

First responders who need assistance from 麻豆原创 RESTORES are welcome to call 407-823-3910.

The induction of Pegasus Professors Deborah C. Beidel and Sudipta Seal, and 13 others from throughout the state, expands the membership ASEMFL to 186, all of whom are top scholars and researchers committed to addressing key issues and challenges impacting Florida.

Beidel is widely known for research in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and leads . Seal, chair of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Department of Materials Science and Engineering, has made significant advancements in nano-materials and their applications in numerous industries including medicine and energy.

Members of the National Academies 鈥� National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine 鈥� who live or work in Florida have automatic ASEMFL membership. National Academy membership is considered the highest career distinction in the United States in these disciplines.

New members elected to ASEMFL, including Beidel and Seal, are regarded as having potential to become National Academy members. ASEMFL鈥檚 nine-month election process begins in August each year and ends the following April.

Housed at 麻豆原创, ASEMFL is a not-for-profit organization of top scholars and researchers from universities, public agencies and industries statewide who are committed to addressing key issues and challenges impacting Florida.

Founded in 2018, ASEMFL provides expert advice on some of Florida鈥檚 most pressing challenges, and can help shape sound policies, inform public opinion and advance developments in science, engineering and medicine. ASEMFL President Gavriel Salvendy is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a member of 麻豆原创鈥檚 engineering faculty. Executive Director Michael Georgiopoulos is the dean of 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Engineering and Computer Science.

麻豆原创鈥檚 2021 ASEMFL new members:

, Pegasus Professor and Trustee Chair, 麻豆原创 Department of Psychology, inducted for development, validation and implementation of effective social treatment for children, and PTSD treatment for veterans.

More information is available on the聽.

Produced by 麻豆原创, the podcast highlights students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni who do incredible things on campus, in the community and around the globe.

Transcript

Deborah Beidel: I tell people we don鈥檛 need different treatments, we need to do treatment differently. And by doing treatment differently, we found we can be very successful. So the idea is having people give up two or three weeks in order to get a lot better. And we talk about that also as trying to break the stigma. So both for active duty personnel, veterans, and also our first responders, who have always been in the role of being the helper, turning around and asking for help is really different. But if we can start to think about treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in the same way that we think about physical therapy, then we have a chance of breaking the stigma.

Alex Cumming: As many of you know, November is Veterans鈥� Month, but what you may not know is that 麻豆原创 is home to 麻豆原创 RESTORES a clinical research center here on campus that is dedicated to changing the way that PTSD is understood, diagnosed and treated. In this episode I had the honor of speaking with the center鈥檚 Executive Director Debra Beidel. Debra shares her expertise in PTSD treatment, innovative treatments happening at 麻豆原创 RESTORES, and how we can acknowledge and support veterans.

And before we get to the episode, I do want to share that we touch on topics of traumatic events, which may be triggering to veterans or survivors of sexual assault. Please keep that in mind, as we get into the episode.

Deborah Beidel: So back in the 1990s, I was working with a couple of colleagues and we were trying to figure out how to treat post-traumatic stress disorder for Vietnam veterans. And we鈥檙e starting to think about different treatments, but I was always sort of peripherally involved at that point. I was interested, but I was also doing other things. And then on Oct. 2, 2006, Carl Charles Roberts [IV] walked into a one-room school house in that community in [West] Nickel Mines and shot those girls in the head at point-blank range.

I was the psychologist at one of the hospitals where those girls were taken. And after that period of time, it was not only the horror of that but the resilience of that community. Like that night, the women from the community took food to the shooter鈥檚 widow and children. And that weekend more than 50% of the people who were at his funeral were from the community of those girls where he had so horribly injured and killed. And it really was that resiliency that was a turning point for me. It was that resiliency in the face of that horrible tragedy that made me decide this was where I was going to spend the rest of my career.

Alex Cumming: How early into your career were you at that point?

Deborah Beidel: I was pretty far along in my career. I got my degree in 1986, so it鈥檚 been a long time. I was almost 40, 30 years into it, but I really wanted to do something different and that was a good time. And it really was a motivator to think about how people who were so traumatized, for him to go in there, send all the boys home, line up all the girls and the oldest girl stood up and stood forward and said, 鈥淪hoot me first.鈥� She was trying to save time for the younger kids. And I thought that bravery, that courage in the face of that is something that I want to study and I want to be part of.

Alex Cumming: There are moments in your career, at all points it sounds, you never know how one incident can change your career, the trajectory of what you want to do, what you thought you were passionate about.

Deborah Beidel: Absolutely. It really was. If you had asked me when I started my career, was I going to end it running 麻豆原创 RESTORES or specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder with veterans and first responders? I would鈥檝e said “鈥漀o, absolutely not.鈥� But life has a way of showing you what you should do.

Alex Cumming: 麻豆原创 RESTORES, and from my understanding that 麻豆原创 RESTORES is a clinical research center here on campus, dedicated to changing the way that PTSD is understood and diagnosed and treated. Currently, you’re the executive director of 麻豆原创 RESTORES. But how did you get started? How did 麻豆原创 RESTORES come about?

Deborah Beidel: When I came down here to 麻豆原创, I thought that I was probably not going to do any more work with veteran because there wasn鈥檛 a hospital here then. There was a small outpatient clinic, but there wasn鈥檛 really a hospital and there weren鈥檛 a lot of people. So I thought, OK, well I’ll do something else.

And about maybe six, seven months after I was here, I got a call from the Army. They had seen a research study on PTSD with veterans that I had done up in Hershey, Pennsylvania. And they said, 鈥淒o you think your treatment program would work with veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan?鈥� And I said, 鈥淲ell, I think it鈥檒l work better because they鈥檙e not 40 years of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder.鈥�

The Vietnam veterans would say to me, 鈥淏ut doc if I get too much better, they might take away my disability payments and I haven鈥檛 worked in 40 years. Who鈥檚 going to hire me? How am I going to live?鈥� And so I thought, well if you had people who were just coming back who weren鈥檛 on disability, didn鈥檛 have to worry about being unemployed, we鈥檇 have a much better chance. And so the woman from the army said to me, 鈥淧ut in a project, just put in the same project, but we want you to try it with younger veterans.鈥� And I said, 鈥淪ure.鈥� So we did. And that鈥檚 how we got started.

And then the first year after we got started, we were doing kind of regular, what you might think of as once a week therapy. And I went back to the army to tell them about the program and the colonel said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good program.鈥� He said, 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 too long, you鈥檙e talking about 17 weeks. I can鈥檛 have active duty personnel out of active duty for 17 weeks. I need a shorter program.鈥� So I鈥檓 known to have a smart mouth sometime and I said, 鈥淲ell if you give me more money, I鈥檒l give you a shorter program.鈥� And he said, 鈥淥K.鈥� I never got grant money that quickly before, but we did. And that鈥檚 how we started our intensive outpatient program, was really to turn the tables on PTSD and try and treat it in a way no one had really thought about.

Alex Cumming: 麻豆原创 draws so many people from so many backgrounds as has been expressed many times by people outside of myself. Veterans are a big part of 麻豆原创鈥檚 community and we have a huge ROTC center. So the importance that this means to Central Florida, which has such a huge military presence, to show there鈥檚 outreach and there鈥檚 possibilities for growth.

Deborah Beidel: I talk about it as hope. When people have experienced these types of traumatic events, they feel changed. And I tell people if there鈥檚 one thing I want people to know is that yes, trauma changes you forever. And I say to them, 鈥淚f anyone tells you they can erase that memory, run in the opposite direction because those types of memories can鈥檛 be erased.鈥�

Think about, you鈥檙e going along and there鈥檚 suddenly something that looked like trash on the side of a road is an IED and people who are with you in a Humvee now are so horribly injured or maybe even killed. There鈥檚 no way you鈥檙e ever going to forget that but it doesn鈥檛 mean that you have to be changed negatively forever. There鈥檚 ways of taking on that trauma, ways of learning how to get over it, that then allow you to go on and do something good. If you think about that鈥檚 really what we think about when we talk about people who鈥檝e experienced these traumatic events. You take John Walsh, for example, after his son Adam was a horribly killed and what he鈥檚 done the rest of his life. You take the Parkland kids, they started a movement. You take the women from the community in [West] Nickle Mines who could go and forgive that man for what he did. It鈥檚 those kinds of things that we sometimes talk about as post-traumatic growth. And I think that鈥檚 something that we have to hold on to and we have to help people learn that there鈥檚 a way of something coming out of a horrible event.

Alex Cumming: Post-traumatic growth. That鈥檚 a phrase I鈥檇 never heard before, but I think that鈥檚 the word I was looking for.

Deborah Beidel: Yeah. We saw it even after Surfside. People who wanted to do something and were looking for a way to take that sort of negative event and do something with it that would be positive. So what they were doing was taking something and saying, 鈥淟et me make something good come from this.鈥�

Alex Cumming: Right. Along with being the executive director of 麻豆原创 RESTORES, you鈥檙e also a Trustee C hair and a Pegasus Professor of Psychology and Medical Education. Let me ask you what drives you in your work?

Deborah Beidel: It鈥檚 really the need to discover and try and make positive change in some way. Throughout my career, whether it鈥檚 been with post-traumatic stress disorder or social anxiety disorder in children, it鈥檚 always been about what can I discover? What can I learn? And then what can I do with what I鈥檝e learned to make the world a better place? And if we can make the world a better place in the community where we live, then that has ripples. And those kids can go out 鈥� I had one little boy I worked with a long time ago who developed asthma, but no one told him he had asthma. But he would be short of breath and he thought he was going to die and no one would tell him what was going on at first. And so he started refusing to go to school. He started refusing to a lot of things cause he didn鈥檛 want to be away from his mom in case he started to die. And so, we worked with him and I always say that鈥檚 the only kid that ever worked with that wanted to go to school rather than skip school and come see me. And he ended up going through the military academy at West Point. He鈥檚 had a career in government. And, I鈥檓 thinking from a little boy who may never have graduated from school because he would not go to someone who now is making such a big impact in the world and the fact that I could help him, I don鈥檛 take full credit for it, but the fact that I could help him do what he always wanted to do is what keeps me going.

Alex Cumming: That reemphasizes your point of hope, what you were saying there. So many of these people that have served overseas to keep ourselves safe, they can come back here and have these experiences that they might not recognize are affecting them so deeply. They help us so much and what their service means to us. What we can do is to make sure that their life back here in the states is the easiest transition?

Deborah Beidel: I think it鈥檚 that. I think it鈥檚 also valued. I鈥檓 old enough to remember how veterans were treated after the Vietnam War and the difference between that and the way we treat veterans now is really very stark, and thankfully much, much better. I think the fact that we now value what they do and what they did and keeping us safe 鈥� I always say to veterans, “You took an oath that you would lay down your life so that I could live back here, do whatever I want to do.鈥� To me, that鈥檚 the most amazing thing about this, is that someone that I don鈥檛 even know will put his life on the line for me and for us. And I don鈥檛 think we can ever forget that nor should we.

Alex Cumming: No. Speaking of the work that you do, I read that 66% of participants with combat-related PTSD and 76% of first responders no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD following treatment at 麻豆原创 RESTORES. Those are some pretty impressive statistics. And that鈥檚 a real testament to you and the work that your team does here. What do you think has made 麻豆原创 RESTORES so successful in helping the individuals in this community?

Deborah Beidel: I think it鈥檚 really a testament to my staff. I often say I鈥檓 the one that talks about 麻豆原创 RESTORES, but they鈥檙e the ones that really make it happen. They鈥檙e the ones that do the work every day. I think a couple of reasons is that 麻豆原创 is a place where you can do lots of things. We鈥檙e such a young university that we can come up with these ideas and nobody says,鈥漌ell Deborah, we didn鈥檛 do it that way in 1865.鈥� So we can come up with new thoughts and new ideas. And I think that’s the first thing that we can do that we do here.

I think the second thing is that we鈥檙e all driven in my clinic by science and by evidence. So we never want to say, 鈥淲ell, you鈥檝e been coming here for 12 weeks, so you should be better.鈥� And because we are committed to measuring success, and when I say measuring success it鈥檚 really the success that the patient has. But we also look at it, if things aren鈥檛 going well, what are we doing wrong? Not the patient is guilty of transference or resisting treatment. We think about why isn鈥檛 this working? What are we doing wrong and how do we need to change? And I think that鈥檚 really some of the success we have. What I tell people is when the statistician ran the data for the first time and told me that number, I made him go run it again because I didn鈥檛 believe it myself.

But I think the fact that we can do things because my treatment program would not work in the VA, I don鈥檛 believe, because the VA would not allow me to see a smaller number of patients for two sessions a day for three weeks straight. Because they would say, 鈥淲ell you know, you鈥檙e not treating enough people, we鈥檝e got to get all these other people in for a session as well.鈥� Rather than taking a chance on doing something differently. So I tell people we don鈥檛 need different treatments, we need to do treatment differently. And by doing treatment differently, we found we can be very successful. So the idea is having people give up two or three weeks in order to get a lot better.

And we talk about that also as trying to break the stigma, both for active duty personnel veterans, and also our first responders, who have always been in the role of being the helper, turning around and asking for help is really different. But if we can start to think about treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in the same way that we think about physical therapy, then we have a chance of breaking the stigma.

If your leg is broken, you have to go to physical therapy after you get out of the cast. Right? So if you have a stress injury, which is what we think of as post-traumatic stress disorder, if you have that stress injury, you need to go get it taken care of soon, go back and do it. And if we can change that stigma, I think then we can give people more help.

Alex Cumming: I鈥檇 like to ask. What types of treatments are you doing differently? I heard mentioned about some virtual reality treatments.

Deborah Beidel: We do. The treatment that works the best for post-traumatic stress disorder is called exposure therapy. And basically you can think about exposure therapy as if you are afraid of a dog. How would you get over your fear of a dog? Most people would say, 鈥淲ell, I鈥檝e got to be around a dog.鈥� Yes. But if your post-traumatic stress disorder has resulted from an IED explosion, for example, I can鈥檛 set off an IED explosion here, nor would I want to. So the only other way I might be able to do exposure therapy is I could ask you to imagine it. But I can鈥檛 control what your imagined because I could be telling you to think about this horrific thing and you could be thinking about puppies for all I know. With virtual reality, we can bridge that gap. I can expose you to the sights, the sounds, and even the smells that were part of that event that has now created your fear. And by doing that, I can get you in touch with what we call triggers, those things that reactivate your anxiety. One example is, you can think about diesel fuel. A lot of veterans who came back said that anytime they would smell diesel fuel to gas station, they would then have this flashback to this IED explosion that happened in Iraq or Afghanistan and their buddies who were horribly injured or killed. So what we need to do is teach your brain that just because you’re smelling diesel fuel, it doesn鈥檛 mean that your buddies have again been injured or killed. That happened once, but it doesn鈥檛 happen every time. So I like to explain it to people by telling them to think about a really scary movie that you saw. For me, it was The Exorcist. You may go see it again and it still scares you. But then by about the 10^th 聽time you鈥檝e seen it, which would be like your 10^th 聽exposure therapy session, you go yeah, “Yeah, yeah Linda Blair鈥檚 head鈥檚 going to spin around.鈥� The bad thing, the thing that scared you at first, it鈥檚 still happening, but you鈥檙e not scared anymore because you鈥檝e learned that it鈥檚 not going to happen. And this is what we do in exposure therapy. And the virtual reality helps us get there because smells in particular, smells are hard to imagine, but smells and the memories that go with them are very powerful and very emotional memories. It鈥檚 a short run, here鈥檚 the neuroscience part. It鈥檚 a short run from the olfactory bulb in your nose to what鈥檚 called the hippocampus and the limbic center in your brain. It goes straight there. There鈥檚 no rerouting through the cortex or anything like that. And it makes those memories extremely powerful and therefore they鈥檙e extremely traumatic.

Alex Cumming: I haven鈥檛 even thought about it that way. That鈥檚 super interesting. This technology that’s so new and on the cusp of developing in such grand ways to assist in the wellbeing of these veterans, it鈥檚 lovely to hear.

Deborah Beidel: It鈥檚 really good. We find it鈥檚 not the only thing that鈥檚 really helpful though. We also have a group therapy. That鈥檚 part of this whole treatment package that we do. And that works on things like sleep hygiene because veterans and even first responders who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder sometimes only sleep two or three hours a night. So helping them get better sleep, helping them decrease their anger, helping them think about the horrible things that happen, the traumas. And a lot of times veterans will say, 鈥淚t was all my fault.鈥� They鈥檒l say, 鈥淚 had to shoot that little girl.鈥� And when you talk to them about why, 鈥淲ell because that little girl was loaded with explosives and some adult way out of range sent that little girl toward our troops with the idea of killing and maiming our troops and that little girl.鈥� And so shooting that little girl, you saved everyone else, and it wasn鈥檛 your fault she was sent that way.

So helping people process through these traumatic events and how much they’re really responsible for is a big part of what we do. It鈥檚 a part that exposure therapy doesn鈥檛 take care of. And that鈥檚 what I mean when I said always looking at the treatment and looking at the outcome and how can we make it better?

For me, 66% of veterans no longer meeting diagnostic criteria is good. The rest are better, but they鈥檙e still struggling. And so my mind always goes to that other 34%. What is it? What am I not doing right? What鈥檚 not going right there that we need to be able to help them?

Alex Cumming: One thing to think about that gives me a lot of optimism is there are people who are working on those niche details with organizations, like 麻豆原创 RESTORES, and continuing to do such amazing work. As long as the amazing work continues, more people are going to come that want to do more amazing work to focus in on those niche aspects of life that an individual suffering with PTSD might have, such a difficult time expressing or overcoming. And there could be somebody who, if everybody鈥檚 working on these small parts that come together to make the 66% even better.

Deborah Beidel: Yeah. We had a World War II veteran who came to us and asked for treatment and our grant funding at that time didn鈥檛 allow for that. And I鈥檓 like, I don鈥檛 care. We鈥檒l treat them anyway, we鈥檒l figure it out later. And we talked to him and he鈥檚 like, 鈥淚 still think there鈥檚 things I can do, but this is getting in the way.鈥� And so we treated him and he got a lot better, and again it鈥檚 that hope that people have.

Alex Cumming: And you find that the sooner you can work with somebody the better you have of assisting their livelihood?

Deborah Beidel: I think so because their daily functioning hasn鈥檛 been so impaired and people get to the point where they really think they aren鈥檛 useful anymore. We had one woman who was sexually assaulted in the military 30 some years ago. She really hadn;t been able to find treatment that worked and wasn鈥檛 able to hold a job because of the trauma. And when people come to our clinic, even though I don鈥檛 do the treatment anymore, I always introduce myself to the people who are waiting in the lobby because I want them to know who鈥檚 in charge. And I want them to know if they鈥檙e struggling, if something鈥檚 going wrong in my clinic, I want to know about it. Not to blame people, but to fix it. And so on her last day of treatment, she saw me and she grabbed my arm and she said, 鈥淒r. Beidel, I just want to tell you one thing.鈥� And I said, 鈥淲hat?鈥� She said, 鈥淵ou gave me my life back.鈥� And I said, 鈥淚 am so sorry it took 30 years.鈥� And she said, 鈥淒on’t you be sorry, you gave me the rest of my life.鈥�

And that鈥檚 why my staff and I get up every single morning.

Alex Cumming: That鈥檚 beautiful. And I want to talk about that. You and your team work so hard to bring in as many people as possible. You have veterans active duty, military personnel, first responders, as you said, survivors of sexual assault and survivors of mass shooter.

I want to hear some more about the fulfillment those efforts bring to you and the 麻豆原创 RESTORES team.

Deborah Beidel: I think we celebrate with the people that we work with. We celebrate their triumphs and we know they do the hard work, right? Because they鈥檙e the ones that have to go back into that trauma. They鈥檙e the ones that have to experience it. They鈥檙e the ones that have to leave their families for three weeks and come for treatment. But the fact they can improve and we can send them home different than they came is what makes all of us get up in the morning. And it鈥檚 funny because sometimes when we have new therapists come, they don鈥檛 know the treatments that we do. And they鈥檙e a little suspicious at times because they don鈥檛 think this is gonna really work. And time and again I鈥檝e seen clinicians who started off very skeptical, where I鈥檒l ask them to do a visit because we have lots of people who want to come and see the clinic and want to see the VR. I鈥檝e heard them go, 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 believe this at first, but this treatment really works.鈥� And we can see the change and I think that鈥檚 what it is that as a team we know we鈥檙e making an impact and I think that is so important. And we just keep going. When the first grant was ending we didn鈥檛 know what we were going to do because there we were running out of money and we just looked at each other. We put this whole thing together. We started this, we just have to keep going, we just got to do it. And so we let people know what was going on. We鈥檇 let them know the success we had. And we鈥檝e been able through state funding and through very generous donors to keep this going.

It鈥檚 amazing the number of people who will give money. And there are some people who get big amounts, but it鈥檚 the people who give us $5, $10. I鈥檓 so thankful for those people as well, who believe in us and who give what they can so we can continue to help others.

Alex Cumming: That鈥檚 fantastic. And all I have to say about that is how wonderful. I want to ask you now, what鈥檚 something that you would like veterans or people who know veterans to be aware of about PTSD and receiving treatment?

Deborah Beidel: The one thing I want them to know is that it takes a lot of courage to face your fears. Doing this type of therapy is not always the easiest thing, as I said, going back there. And when we do the therapy we go back to everything that happened. So we don鈥檛 gloss it over. We don鈥檛 say, 鈥淎nd then it was an IED explosion and people died.鈥� Yeah, no. We have to go back and talk about what it is exactly that they saw and who that was and what it looked like.

So it takes a lot of courage to do that. But it鈥檚, like I said before, trauma changes you forever. There are traumas that you should not just be able to walk away from. First responders will often say well, 鈥淭he old guys say, 鈥楽uck it up, buttercup,鈥� or 鈥楯ust stuff it.鈥� 鈥� But a lifetime of witnessing those types of traumatic events, both for our veterans and also for our first responders 鈥� think about it, a first responders job is to respond to trauma, right? We don鈥檛 call them when we鈥檙e having a good day. We call them when something really bad is going on. So that鈥檚 what they see every single day. And so it鈥檚 time that we all stop thinking that you should just be able to shrug it off. And it鈥檚 time that we all just acknowledged that people who have post-traumatic stress disorder are not faking it. The things that they鈥檝e seen that, going inside a school where people have been killed, elementary school students at Sandy Hook, teenagers down at Parkland. All the people who were shot and killed at the Pulse nightclub, no one should be able to just look at that and go, 鈥淲ell, just another Thursday.鈥�

So I want people to know that we understand what it is they鈥檝e been through. And we鈥檙e here to help and we鈥檙e not going to be afraid. I get calls sometimes from first responders who say, 鈥淢y therapist fired me.鈥� What do you mean? She said, 鈥淚鈥檓 traumatizing her more than she鈥檚 able to help me and she fired me. See, I鈥檓 broken.鈥� And I say, 鈥淐ome to us because we鈥檙e not afraid. We鈥檒l hear those things and we鈥檒l work with you.鈥� And we do.

Alex Cumming: The bravery abroad coming to the bravery at home to face what you鈥檝e experienced and that people like yourself and your team are here to work with these people and not show them to the door. To keep them and to work with them. It鈥檚 outstanding. What鈥檚 some advice you would give to somebody who wants to do what you do?

Deborah Beidel: I think do what you love and love what you do. I think that I couldn鈥檛 do this if I wasn鈥檛 part of a team too, because we all have days where we鈥檙e like, 鈥淵ou got to take care of this. I got to step back for a few minutes and take care of myself.鈥� But I think if you do what you love, then it鈥檚 not work.

People often say to me, 鈥淲hen are you going to slow down now? When are you going to retire?鈥� And I say, 鈥淲hen it stops being something that鈥檚 fun, it鈥檚 something that I love. When coming to 麻豆原创 campus becomes a chore and not the beginning of my day then it鈥檚 time to move on and do something else.鈥�

So find what it is that makes your heart sing and do that.

Alex Cumming: I love the sound of that. I mean, how could you get tired of 麻豆原创鈥檚 beautiful campus?

Deborah Beidel: It鈥檚 amazing here. It鈥檚 true.

Alex Cumming: It鈥檚 beautiful here. And what鈥檚 one thing that you鈥檙e still hoping to do both on a personal and a professional level?

Deborah Beidel: On a professional level, what I want to do is to make sure that 麻豆原创 RESTORES will be self-sustaining because right now we鈥檙e still in the position of crossing our fingers and hoping that the state legislature is going to see what we鈥檙e doing and keep funding us to keep doing it. So my goal is I want us to not have to cross our fingers every year. I want us to have a base that鈥檚 self-sustaining so that we鈥檒l be able to continue to do the work and focus our attention. New and better treatments rather than making sure that there鈥檚 enough money to pay next month bills.

On a personal note, I鈥檓 also sort of looking for what I call my third chapter in life. My first chapter was getting ready to do my career. My second chapter has been my career. And then the third chapter, what comes after that when they finally make me retire because I鈥檓 doddering around or something. When they finally make me leave, what is it I’m going to do with that part?

So that’s what I鈥檓 thinking about.

Alex Cumming: Well, I鈥檓 so excited to see in here what that third chapter becomes for yourself. I鈥檒l conclude with this. How can people inside and outside the 麻豆原创 community help support 麻豆原创 RESTORES?

Deborah Beidel: They can go to our . They can even more than that, tell other people about what they鈥檝e heard here today and what we鈥檙e doing and make sure that anyone they know who’s suffering from PTSD gives us a call.

We do have resources. People often think we just treat students at 麻豆原创. And we don鈥檛. We don鈥檛 even just treat people in Central Florida or Florida. We treat people throughout the nation who come to us. I just want people to know that our doors are open, that they鈥檙e going to stay open. And that we鈥檙e here.

Alex Cumming: Well Deborah, I want to say thank you so much for this super insightful conversation. I learned a lot about what goes on for those who have served and how we can at home help serve them. So thank you for this conversation. I really enjoyed it.

Deborah Beidel: Thank you for the opportunity. I enjoyed it as well.

Alex Cumming: Hey everybody. Thanks for listening. I鈥檒l see you on the next episode of Kights Do That, where I鈥檒l be speaking with epidemiologist Elena Cyrus from 麻豆原创 College of Medicine to discuss public health and COVID-19 vaccines. As we approach the one-year mark since the vaccines were granted emergency approval.

If you鈥檙e doing something cool, whether that’s at 麻豆原创 or somewhere you took 麻豆原创 that we should know about, send us an email@socialmediaatucf.edu, and maybe we’ll see you on an episode in the future. Go Knights and Charge On.

works to change how we understand, diagnose and treat post-traumatic stress disorder. The clinic鈥檚 high rate of success in treating PTSD in veterans, active-duty military personnel and first responders 鈥� using virtual reality and exposure therapy 鈥� has earned it a spot as a partner of the Florida Firefighter Safety Collaborative, a nonprofit organization that educates and trains firefighters on physical and mental health. The Collaborative called RESTORES to Surfside to be on hand to help first responders.

鈥淲ith discoveries like this, you鈥檙e helping people get a part of their relative back,鈥� Beidel said to the first responder. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e helped them get closure. You鈥檝e helped them get a piece of their mom back.鈥�

He hadn鈥檛 really thought of it that way.

It鈥檚 conversations like these that Beidel, executive director of , and faculty members David Rozek and Amie Newins engaged in last week through Independence Day weekend in the South Florida town. They were on site as a mental-health resource for more than 300 first responders who had been tirelessly working since June 24 to uncover bodies. As of the afternoon on July 8, 60 victims were uncovered and 80 remain unaccounted for.

麻豆原创 RESTORES 鈥� a nationally known nonprofit trauma research center and treatment clinic 鈥� is the mental health partner of the Florida Firefighter Safety Collaborative, a nonprofit organization that educates and trains firefighters on physical and mental health. The Collaborative called RESTORES to Surfside to be on hand to help first responders. They provided psychological first aid 鈥� meeting with the search and rescue teams when they stopped for lunch or at the end of the day to check in on their mental wellbeing.

鈥淪ome were OK, and some needed to talk about what they saw. Our job is to let them know we鈥檙e there to help them and be there for them, now and down the line if they need it,鈥� says Beidel, who alone spoke to about 100 first responders.

RESTORES has responded to other traumatic events, including the shootings at Pulse Nightclub in 2016 and in Las Vegas in 2017. The clinic has developed a number of strategies to help first responders process the stress of traumatic events like these that they work.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no one reaction to trauma, and we want them to know we鈥檙e here to help them through it.鈥� 鈥� Deborah Beidel, executive director of 麻豆原创 RESTORES

One service is a single session consultation line developed by Rozek, assistant professor of psychology, who also went to Surfside. The consultation line is free for first responders and in a 60-minute phone call, they can talk about their stressors and develop a plan with coping strategies with the help of a RESTORES therapist. For those who need additional support, RESTORES offers more intensive individualized and group therapy.

RESTORES was founded in 2011 with a mission to change the way PTSD is understood, diagnosed and treated. The organization鈥檚 unique approach to treatment, which combines exposure therapy using emerging technology like virtual reality, and individual and group therapy sessions, has resulted in 66 percent of participants with combat-related trauma and 76 percent of first responders no longer meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD following three weeks of intensive treatment.

The high success rate has caught the attention of the U.S. Department of Defense and the state government. This past legislative session, RESTORES was awarded $1 million to continue their research, education and delivery of no-cost PTSD treatment, thanks in large part to Rep. David Smith and Sen. Tom Wright.

鈥淲hen you have people who have spent their lives being the helpers, it鈥檚 hard to ask for help,鈥� Beidel says. 鈥淲hat we want them to know is that it鈥檚 OK to be OK. It鈥檚 OK to not be OK. It鈥檚 OK to be OK now, and not OK later. There鈥檚 no one reaction to trauma, and we want them to know we鈥檙e here to help them through it.鈥�

The work will focus on residents of Azalea Park on the east side of Orlando and essential workers who live or work in Orange County and is funded through a CARES Act award received by Orange County.

鈥淭he mission of 麻豆原创 RESTORES is to change the way that post-traumatic stress disorder is understood, diagnosed and treated,鈥� says Deborah Beidel, director of 麻豆原创 RESTORES. 鈥淭his global pandemic is a traumatic event and as such, it fits seamlessly into our mission.鈥�

Through the Azalea Park project, 麻豆原创 RESTORES will provide comprehensive and evidence-based mental health services in Spanish and English at no cost for individuals who live or work in the community.

They are also producing a series of video presentations in Spanish and English that address stress-management skills, such as anger management, relaxation, sleep hygiene, and problem-solving. The videos will be available on the RESTORES website for anyone to view.

鈥淭he videos will allow people to learn and practice these skills on their time, not when a clinic is open,鈥� Beidel says.

The project also includes the distribution of iPads and providing Wi-Fi access at places such as schools and community centers to increase residents鈥� ability to access telehealth services and the videos.

The Azalea Park project has started, and individuals who live or work in Azalea Park and are interested in participating can call 407-823-1805 for more information. The videos will be available in perpetuity on the RESTORES website.

Azalea Park was chosen because it was identified as having a need for these services as residents may be dealing with problems such as job loss and reduced income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The area had also been recognized in the spring as a hotspot for new COVID-19 cases.

The second project will provide behavioral health services to essential workers, such as those in transportation, childcare, and critical trade and retail industries, as well as medical personnel and first responders, who live or work in Orange County.

These services include traditional mental health services as well as a new single-session consultation program that will allow individuals who may not have time to participate in traditional outpatient therapy to receive one session of counseling.聽 Services are available at no cost and in both Spanish and English.

鈥淒uring the time of this pandemic, essential workers have been called upon to support the rest of society,鈥� Beidel says. 鈥淎s this pandemic continues, their physical and emotional resources can become depleted. Our new service will provide support to these workers during this very stressful time.鈥�

The project has started and will run until Dec. 31, with an exception for medical personnel and first responders. There is no set end date for the provision of services at no cost for those individuals. People interested in participating can contact 407-823-3910 or submit a request through the .

麻豆原创 RESTORES began in 2011 with the purpose of treating veterans and active-duty military personnel with combat-related PTSD. After the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016, services expanded to include first responders and survivors of mass shootings. Since opening, it has treated more than 850 combat veterans and first responders. It also provides services to help survivors of sexual assault.

Beidel received her doctorate in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. She is a 麻豆原创 Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor. She joined 麻豆原创鈥檚 Department of Psychology, part of 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Sciences, in 2007.

鈥淭his funding will allow us to develop new tools to further improve the treatment outcome for PTSD,鈥� said Deborah Beidel, director of the clinic. 鈥淭o provide the highest level of care 鈥� based on the most rigorous science 鈥� is not just our goal, but our commitment to everyone whose life has been changed by trauma.鈥�

More than 750 service members, veterans, first responders, survivors of sexual assault and mass shootings have been treated at the clinic. The clinic uses virtual reality to deliver treatment through a technique known as exposure therapy to simulate a patient鈥檚 traumatic experience and help reduce the anxiety a patient associates with the experience.

After PTSD treatments, 66 percent of military personnel and 76 percent of civilians no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for continuing treatment, a success rate that is higher than more conventional therapies.

The program has been awarded more than $10 million in grants the past few years.

The clinic was established in 2010 after the Department of Defense awarded 麻豆原创 a $5 million grant. The program has been awarded more than $10 million in grants the past few years.

鈥淭hose who put their lives on the line to protect our country expect their government to be as resilient in the search for new and innovative ways to help them in their recovery,鈥� says U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, who recognized the U.S. Army for making 鈥渕eaningful investments in our community that will allow service members, veterans and first responders to receive cutting-edge treatment that will assist them in their road to recovery.鈥�

The clinic鈥檚 PTSD treatment includes a three-week program combining virtual reality and group therapy sessions on guilt, anger, resocialization, insomnia and other components. The virtual-reality sessions include videos of traumatic situations such as war along with sounds of gunfire and explosions and smells of smoke and gunfire. The idea is that exposing patients to the traumatic experiences will help reduce their stress about them.

Beidel received her Ph.D. and M.S. in psychology and M.Ed. in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Pittsburgh and her B.A. in psychology from Pennsylvania State University. She has been with 麻豆原创 since 2007.