RISE to Respond
Recovery Program for First Responders
RISE to Respond – Caring for Those Who Care for Others
Why This Program Matters
First responders and crisis volunteers witness unimaginable tragedy—war, terror, disasters, and mass casualty events.
They protect and save lives, yet often absorb the secondary trauma of others’ suffering.
Unaddressed, this can lead to burnout, emotional numbness, anxiety, and depression.
We must also care for the caregivers, ensuring they receive the same compassion they offer others.
The RISE to Respond Program
A comprehensive year-long therapeutic and training program designed for first responders and crisis volunteers.
It provides emotional support, education, and trauma recovery tools to help participants process experiences, strengthen resilience, and sustain their ability to serve.
Program Components
- Participant Selection & Needs Assessment
- Monthly Therapeutic Workshops (based on the Seven-Step RISE Method)
- Psycho-education on secondary trauma
- Healing Retreat — immersive rest and recovery
- Community-Building & Peer Support
- Self-Care & Coping Strategies
What Participants Gain
- Identify and validate emotions without judgment
- Understand and name effects of secondary trauma
- Release trauma through expressive and somatic methods
- Reclaim their voice in a safe, supportive space
- Strengthen community bonds
- Develop long-term resilience strategies
Program Formats
Option 1 – Virtual (Zoom)
- Monthly interactive workshops
- Expressive arts, somatic practice, and education
- Optional online healing retreat
Option 2 – In-Person
- On-site workshops and expressive practices
- Printed RISE journals
- Customizable in-person healing retreat
Add-Ons: One-on-one coaching | Debrief report | Train-the-trainer certification
The R.I.S.E Method
R
Regulate
Grounding & sensory awareness to stabilize the nervous system
I
Identify
Recognizing patterns, strengths, and resources for growth
S
Shape
Reframing narratives through expressive arts and journaling
E
Embody
Integrating body-awareness for a holistic healing experience
Trusted by













Meet Leetal
Dr. Leetal Caidar Benzvi is a globally recognized leader in trauma-informed care and expressive arts therapy. As the founder of Art Sense and the creator of the R.I.S.E Method, she has designed and led large-scale therapeutic programs for bereaved families, veterans, and trauma-impacted communities around the world. With over 15 years of experience and a doctorate from EGS Switzerland, Dr. Benzvi is not only a skilled clinician but a strategic program director trusted by institutions, governments, and organizations to deliver results in the most complex emotional landscapes.
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