
BRIDGING PSYCHOLOGY, JUSTICE, AND FAITH TO EMPOWER WOMEN TO EMERGE WHOLE AND FREE.

MEET DR. DONNA
Dr. Donna Rixey is the founder of Women Emerge and the creator of the ARISE Method. This trauma-informed framework empowers women to heal, reclaim their identity, and embody their voice. With a professional background in the criminal justice system through the Illinois Department of Corrections and a doctorate in clinical psychology, Dr. Donna brings both systems expertise and a deep understanding of trauma to her national training and advocacy work supporting justice-impacted women and women carrying complex trauma histories.


WAYS TO WORK WITH
DR. DONNA

TRAININGS & WORKSHOPS
Trauma-informed, empowerment-centered training experiences designed for organizations, faith communities, and service systems that support women.


CONSULTING & ADVOCACY
Strategic guidance and collaboration to strengthen policies, programs, and environments that impact justice-impacted and marginalized women.


SPEAKING & KEYNOTES
Transformational presentations that integrate lived experience, clinical insight, and empowerment frameworks to inspire healing and embodiment.


WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS
Group and cohort experiences grounded in the ARISE Method that support women in identity reclamation, voice development, and personal growth.



WOMEN EMERGE MISSION
IMPACT / AUTHORITY
Women Emerge transforms the lives of women impacted by the justice system and those carrying the invisible weight of trauma. Through gender-responsive services, strategic advocacy, consulting, and training, we empower women to heal from the past, rewrite their narratives, and live with purpose. By amplifying their voices, honoring their stories, and equipping them to emerge whole, heard, and free, we help women reclaim their power and walk boldly into their future.
Dr. Donna Rixey equips organizations, churches, and communities across the country to foster healing, voice, and empowerment in women — including those impacted by the justice system and those carrying the invisible weight of trauma. Her work integrates clinical psychology, criminal justice systems expertise, and trauma-informed advocacy to improve outcomes for justice-impacted women while advancing healing and identity restoration for women with complex trauma histories.


The ARISE Method is a trauma-informed empowerment framework guiding women from awareness to embodied transformation.
This structured process helps women move from survival patterns toward clarity, voice, and aligned action.
Arise
THE
METHOD
ATTEND
REFLECT
IDENTIFY
SPEAK TRUTH
EMBODY


STAY CONNECTED TO THE MOVEMENT
Receive encouragement, resources, and Women Emerge updates through EMERGING NEWZ — a Women Emerge publication supporting healing, identity, and empowerment.








