About

ARISE Alliance Institute

About Us

ARISE Alliance Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was created and is supported by the Chris T. Sullivan Foundation as well as private funding sources.

Our Mission

ARISE Alliance Institute is committed to the mental wellness of all individuals, families, and communities through the support of innovative research, delivery of clinician training and education, and assistance to access of the most effective therapeutic systems.

Our Vision

The vision of ARISE Alliance Institute is to promote prevention, recovery, and wellness in the lives of those living with mental health conditions through comprehensive mental health services, education, and support by providing the most effective and innovative therapeutic treatment methods available to improve and sustain quality of life.

Our Story

ARISE Alliance Institute has a strong legacy of dedication to supporting individuals whose lives have been impacted by trauma, including military service members, veterans, first responders, and others affected by challenging experiences. Founded by the Chris T. Sullivan Foundation, ARISE’s roots trace back to the height of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars when our Chairman, Chris T. Sullivan, made a personal commitment to address the needs of active-duty troops, veterans, and anyone facing the aftermath of trauma.

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Driven by a passion to make a tangible difference, Mr. Sullivan sought innovative, compassionate solutions to support these individuals and help them rebuild their lives. In 2013, Mr. Sullivan was introduced to a research team at the University of South Florida that was studying groundbreaking approaches to Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) in veterans and active-duty service members. Previous studies on this approach had shown compelling results, prompting Mr. Sullivan to fund the third and largest study in the series. This study extended its reach through collaborations with Army Medical Command, USSOCOM Care Coalition, and several satellite projects, including retreat programs, to demonstrate the critical need for effective PTS treatment options.

The success of this third study helped pave the way for further research within the VA and inspired additional studies on chronic pain, military sexual assault, depression, anxiety, complex grief, loss (Hospice), and the prevention of complex grief (Mayo Clinic).

In 2016, ART International Training and Research was founded by Mr. Sullivan and his team with the goal of providing effective, trauma-focused treatments. Over the first six years, the organization educated both clinical professionals and clients on treatment efficacy, working to make these options more widely available. As a mission-driven non-profit, we played a significant role in advancing mental health treatment options across the country. To further expand our impact in this ever-evolving field, we decided to pivot towards neuroscience and non-conventional approaches to trauma treatment. In July 2022, we rebranded as ARISE Alliance Institute.

Our new mission is to provide comprehensive mental health services and education, integrating cutting-edge treatments with a profound respect for each individual’s unique experiences. At ARISE Alliance Institute, we are dedicated to bridging traditional and innovative approaches to mental health care. We believe that effective treatment requires both advanced techniques and a personalized approach that honors each person’s journey. By combining neuroscience with holistic practices, we seek to provide a nuanced understanding of trauma and its treatment, fostering resilience and well-being for diverse populations.

As we continue to expand our reach, we remain committed to making mental health support more accessible, effective, and tailored to the needs of those we serve. Our development team consists of compassionate individuals with an extraordinary ability to connect with people in the most challenging spaces of traumatic experience. Together, we have built a robust neurological foundation for healing through memory and emotion, designing and refining an intervention we call Critical Memory Integration (CMI).

ARISE’s goal is to humanize mental health by placing the individual at the center of every message we create. Our language is designed to be accessible and tailored to resonate with the personal experiences of our audience, ensuring that our communications speak directly to their needs and aspirations. We meet therapists and individuals where they are, recognizing their unique journeys and focusing on their whole selves rather than just their symptoms. By advocating for warm and relatable language, we aim to simplify complex concepts and foster genuine connections. This human-centered approach helps dismantle stigma and enhances the overall effectiveness of mental health care.
At ARISE Alliance Institute, our mission is to support the mental wellness of individuals, families, and communities through innovative research, clinician training, and education, while facilitating access to the most effective therapeutic systems. Our vision is to promote prevention, recovery, and wellness for those living with mental health conditions by providing comprehensive mental health services, education, and support. We are committed to developing new ways of reaching out to the community, ensuring support and education are accessible to individuals who may never have access to traditional mental health treatment. By offering the most effective and innovative therapeutic approaches, we strive to improve health and sustain a high quality of life for all.

OUR VALUES

We guide our organization on the following five valued fundamentals:

A

To advocate.

We believe quality mental health care should be accessible and attainable for any individual in need of support.

R

To research.

We believe evidence-based treatments put individuals on a path to recovery.

I

To Innovate.

We strive to be an organization of excellence and sought-after partner in delivering state-of-the-art mental health treatments.

S

To Support.

We provide quality mental health services and support through direct outreach, referral services, and nationwide partnerships.

E

To Educate.

We educate communities to embrace the importance of mental health and understand it is a critical component to overall wellness.

The work that we are accomplishing through ARISE Alliance is both meaningful and impactful. Improving mental wellness for humanity is our purpose and shared responsibility. One in five Americans experience a mental health condition each year. Multiply that number by family members and those going undiagnosed, and you realize the urgency of ARISE Alliance’s mission.

Over the past eight years, our goal as an organization has been to expand reach and awareness in the mental health field, educate both the clinician and client populations on treatment efficacy, and increase services to a widespread number of individuals suffering from mental health symptoms, going untreated, or receiving ineffective methods of treatment.

As Chairman, I am gratified to witness and experience such tremendous success in achieving that mission through the effective leadership of our team guided by our Executive Director, Kelly Bustin.

Chris T. SullivanChair

Executive Board Of Directors

Alex Sullivan

Vice Chairman

Tom Gates Accelerated Resolution Therapy

Thomas Gates

Secretary

Kelly Bustin

Executive Director

Board of Directors

Jay DeGeare

Jay DeGeare

Board Member

Tom Mahaffey

Board Member

Stuart Lasher

Stuart Lasher

Board Member

John Byczek Accelerated Resolution Therapy Board Member

John Byczek

Board Member

Trey Engleke Accelerated Resolution Therapy Board Member

Trey Engelke

Board Member

Bryce Alley

Board Member

Brian K. Flood

Board Member

Caroline Thaxton

Board Member

Elizabeth Krystyn

Board Member

Ben Heldfond

Board Member

Kevin Hawkins

Board Member

Ari Ravi

Board Member