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

MEET DR. DONNA
With a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Social Justice, more than 26 years of experience within the Illinois Department of Corrections, and both a master’s and doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Donna Rixey brings a rare integration of systems expertise, trauma-informed insight, and clinical training to her national advocacy and training work supporting justice-impacted women and women with 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 trauma-informed advocacy, consulting, training, and empowerment experiences. We empower women to heal from the past, reclaim their voices, rewrite their narratives, and own every chapter of their story—including what comes next.
By honoring women's lived experiences, equipping them with tools for healing and growth, and creating pathways for voice, purpose, and restoration, Women Emerge® helps 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, empowerment, and identity restoration 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, trauma-informed advocacy, and faith-informed empowerment to improve outcomes for justice-impacted women while advancing healing and 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.









