Building a Culture of Safety to Transform Behavioral Health Care
The Traumatic Stress Institute and RWJBarnabas Health Case Study
Many provider organizations struggle to effectively serve individuals with high rates of traumatic life experiences. Traditional, compliance-driven cultures sometimes misinterpret trauma-related behaviors, leading to an overreliance on restrictive interventions – such as physical restraints – and increased risk for both consumers and staff.
Trauma-informed care (TIC) offers a different approach. By recognizing the widespread impact of trauma and aligning care delivery to meet consumers where they are, organizations can reduce re-traumatization, improve safety, strengthen outcomes, and support workforce well-being.
The Traumatic Stress Institute (TSI) has partnered with
RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) – one of New Jersey’s largest health systems – to bring the Risking Connection® Change Model (RCCM) to the behavioral health units and emergency departments at eight RWJBH healthcare sites.
Join us to reimagine what’s possible through trauma-informed systems change. The presenters will outline how this model leveraged leadership engagement, staff training, and a train-the-trainer approach to build a culture of trust and safety, increase workforce engagement, and reduce workplace violence.
Missed our first webinar on May 13th? Join us through Open Minds on August 3, 2026 1-2 p.m. ET (check local time here)
Key Takeaways:
Real Stories, Real Impact: Hear how RWJBH staff are transforming care for individuals with traumatic experiences – improving both patient outcomes and staff well-being.
Overcome Challenges: Learn how trauma is sometimes misinterpreted in healthcare, and how to shift to a more effective, compassionate approach.
Building Safety and Trust: Explore strategies that foster safety, increase workforce engagement, and mitigate workplace violence.
Strategic Investment: Understand how trauma-informed care is not just a trend; it’s a vital investment in long-term organizational performance, workforce stability, and care quality.
Replicable Roadmap: The RCCM model provides a proven framework for embedding trauma-informed care. Learn how TSI works in partnership with clients to reduce harm and promote healing across complex behavioral healthcare systems.
Be Bold. Embrace Change. Transform Lives.
Meet the Presenters
Nicole Powasnick, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CEN, serves as both the Chief Nursing Officer of RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Center – a 100-bed inpatient psychiatric hospital – and as Vice President of Clinical Operations for the Behavioral Health Service Line at RWJBarnabas Health. In this dual role, she provides strategic and operational oversight across the continuum of care. She leads with a deep commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care and is recognized for improving patient experience through strong interdisciplinary collaboration and clinical leadership.
Holding a Master of Science in Nursing, Nicole is board certified as a Nurse Executive Advanced (NEA-BC) and a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN). She also serves as the Secretary of the New Jersey chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), demonstrating her commitment to advancing the profession of psychiatric nursing at the state level. Her clinical background, paired with executive leadership capabilities, allows her to bridge frontline care with system-level innovation. She champions a culture of accountability, trauma-informed care, and continuous improvement.
Under her leadership, key initiatives have strengthened care coordination, enhanced patient safety, and elevated the voice of nursing in organizational decision making. She is known for cultivating high-performing teams and driving sustainable change aligned with the mission of behavioral health recovery.
John Engel, MA is the Associate Director for the Traumatic Stress Institute (TSI) of Klingberg Family Centers. John oversees all aspects of TSI’s training and consultation services, including sales and delivery of the Risking Connection Change Model. John supports departmental operations, including strategic planning, organizational development, staffing, and budgeting. He is a doctoral candidate in the Change Leadership program at the College of St. Scholastica. In his former roles as Executive Director of MERGE for Equality and author of the former column The Fatherhood Journey for the Daily Hampshire Gazette, John worked to promote public and private conversations about fatherhood and gender equality.
Additionally, John has been an advocate for mindfulness in the workplace. He is a certified Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator and implemented Monthly Risking Connection (RC) Mindfulness sessions for TSI’s RC community – a natural fit with our RC curriculum – as a method for supporting treaters’ well-being.