Stress Management for the Trauma Service Provider

“Stress Management for the Trauma Service Provider” is an important workshop for all who work with traumatized people. This course explores the “Stress Continuum,” the levels of stress including eustress (i.e., beneficial, motivating stress), traumatic stress, burnout, countertransference, compassion fatigue or secondary PTSD, and vicarious traumatization which may occur as a result of helping others. A discussion of coping strategies for those who work with traumatized children will also be offered. Individual self-report exercises and an experiential group support session will assist the participating trauma provider in assessing their own level of stress through sharing personal experiences with others. Stress management self care techniques will be presented, experienced and discussed. This course is appropriate for all mental health professionals, emergency services personnel, peer counselors and spiritual care providers.

Upon completion, participants will be able to: Discuss motivating factors for the work we do as trauma providers; Recognize your own signs and symptoms of stress; Understand the impact of working with trauma survivors; and Discuss burnout, countertransference, compassion fatigue, vicarious traumatization, and critical incident stress. Successful completion of the Train the Trainer program will allow you to teach this curriculum to others. Continuing education will be required to maintain your instructor status.

Prerequisites for Participation in the Train the Trainer Program:

• Completion of the following ICISF courses: Group Crisis Intervention and Individual Crisis Intervention & Peer Support courses as taught by ICISF or by an approved ICISF instructor. (Copies of certificates of completion are required to accompany the application) .
• A letter of recommendation from a local, state or regional CISM team or agency / institution dated within three months of application due date.*
• A letter of endorsement from a local, state or regional CISM coordinator or clinical director dated within three months of application due date.*

  * At least one of the letters of recommendation must attest to the instructor candidate's teaching ability of stress management.   If neither of the aforementioned letters can do so, a third letter must be submitted.

• Active membership on a crisis intervention team.
• Current ICISF membership.
• A copy of a current CV or resume.
• Official course application form.
• A brief statement outlining:
  1. Your crisis intervention/CISM experience.
  2. Your instructional experience, including teaching stress management concepts.
  3. Reasons for applying for ICISF Approved Instructor Training.

  Last updated: March 2008