Charles Figley


Charles Figley is a university professor in the fields of psychology, family therapist, psychoneuroimmunologist family studies, social work, traumatology, and mental health. He is the Paul Henry Kurzweg, MD Distinguished Chair in Disaster Mental Health and Graduate School of Social Work Professor at Tulane University. He was a full professor and Traumatology Institute Director at the Florida State University College of Social Work. Before FSU, starting as an assistant professor in the Dept of Child Development and Family Studies in 1974. Figley became a Purdue University Full Professor in 1983 with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Psychological Sciences.
Professor Figley received both of his graduate degrees from the Pennsylvania State University and his undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii, all in the area of human development.
Figley has two daughters, Jessica and Laura, who are married to successful husbands and both daughters have two children each. He is married to Dr. Kathleen Regan Figley, who is a well-known teacher, trainer, and consultant in the area of spirituality and trauma, disaster management, and disaster mental health. They have lived in and enjoy the culture of New Orleans since 2008.

Trauma Research and Scholarship

Figley is the Director of the Tulane University Traumatology Institute. The Institute has been instrumental in establishing standards of practice and standards of self care that are adopted by the Green Cross Academy of Traumatology. The Institute has been the home to several publishing efforts coordinated by Dr. Figley. Among others this includes the Psychosocial Stress Book Series, established with the 1978 book, Stress Disorders among Vietnam Veterans. The Institute enabled the development of the award-winning 2014 Encyclopedia of Trauma: An Interdisciplinary Guide. The project has brought together more than 350 experts from around the world who contributed entries to the nearly 1000-page reference book. The Institute has been instrumental in supporting or conducting dozens of studies focusing on human stress response, traumatic stress injuries, elements of resilience and how best to prepare for adversity, and focusing on secondary trauma measurement and management.

''Traumatology''; The International Journal

Figley was the editor in chief of Traumatology, an international peer-reviewed journal of Traumatology from 1994-2012. In 2006, ownership of the journal was transferred to Sage Publications. Sage sold the Journal to the American Psychological Association and published with their other journals online, although it continues to serve as the journal of the [|Green Cross] Academy of Traumatology. Currently the Editor of Traumatology is Brian Bride, PhD, University of Georgia.
Under Figley's direction, the journal highlights in its articles the Green Cross as a deployment entity, as well as the certifications sanctioned by the Academy. Recent articles have included certification reviews in Field Traumatology, Certified Traumatologist training, Certified Compassion Fatigue Educator training, and Certified Compassion Fatigue Therapist training. Recent topics covered by the journal include clinical traumatology services; trauma-informed, culturally competent assessment and treatment of individuals, families, groups and communities exposed to traumatic events; assessment and treatment of service providers and volunteers traumatized by their work with the traumatized; and psychological first aid and other emergency mental health services.

Green Cross

Figley is the founder and immediate past president of the Green Cross Academy of Traumatology. The current President is Mary Schoenfeldt. Kathleen Regan Figley served as the CEO 2001-2006. Green Cross provided traumatology services in New York City after the September 11 World Trade Center attack, and in Sri Lanka after the December 2004 tsunami. In April 2007, Figley coordinated with the Green Cross the organization's emergency mental health service and counselling response to the Virginia Tech massacre.

Veterans service work

Figley is a founding member of both the national and Florida State University chapters of the Collegiate Veterans Association. Figley currently serves as the faculty advisor for the FSU Alpha chapter of the Collegiate Veterans Association.
In 2007, Figley hosted the 2nd Annual Combat Stress Symposium, a peer-reviewed educational symposium studying the effects of combat stress on the U.S. military. Editorial board and keynote speakers included Figley, William Nash, M.D., MC, USN, Zahava Solomon, PhD, MSW, Albert "Skip" Rizzo, Ph.D., and Ken Graap. Panelists included Martell Teasley, Ph.D. ; Warren R. "Rocky" McPherson ; Shad Meshad, LCSW ; Nancy Clayton, M.D. ; Raymond Scurfield, DSW ; CAPT Bob Koffman, MC, USN ; Tom Gaskin, Ph.D.,.

Curriculum Vitae

Awards and honors

1. The 2015 Penn State University Graduate School Alumni Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
2. Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, May 28, 2014.
3. Choice awarded the Encyclopedia of Trauma: An Interdisciplinary Guide their Outstanding Academic Titles for the 2013-14 academic year.
4. Reference and User Services Association awarded the Encyclopedia of Trauma: An Interdisciplinary Guide, the Outstanding Reference Sources of 2013.
5. Distinguished Mentor Award, Student Section, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Baltimore, November 2011.
Earlier in his career, Professor Figley was awarded The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies highest honor, Pioneer Award for Lifetime Achievement, which recognizes traumatologists whose lifetime achievement substantially advanced the field. He was the final recipient as a Pioneer. In 1996, he was named Professor of the Year by the FSU School of Social Work student body. In 1997, the American Psychological Association named Professor Figley "Family Psychologist of the Year".
Figley is a highly published author, with an extensive library of published work.

Forewords and Editorials

Since 2000, Figley has published over 35 forewords and editorials. The list is on Figley's publications page.

Books

Figley has published 24 books in the field of traumatology, combat stress, and trauma prevention and treatment. He has four books in progress.
He has edited the book series:
Peer-reviewed editorial positions
Figley has published over 18 non-refereed publications since 1993.