Crisis Intervention is NOT Psychotherapy; rather, it is a specialized acute emergency mental health intervention which requires specialized training. This program is the second in a two course series entitled Assisting Individuals in Crisis Intervention. The program is designed to teach crisis interventions it applies to assisting individuals in crisis, one person at a time. It does not teach group crisis intervention; although some of the skill sets contained herein are certainly applicable to group intervention. This program will teach advanced scenario-based crisis intervention techniques based upon an understanding of the basic crisis intervention concepts, principles, and tactics taught in the first assisting individuals in crisis program.
Program Highlights:
- natures & definitions of a psychological crisis and psychological crisis intervention
- nature and definition of critical incident stress management and its role as a continuum of care.
- empathic communication techniques
- practice of psychological triage
- SAFER-Revised model of individual psychological crisis intervention in s suicide scenario
- SAFER-Revised model of individual psychological crisis intervention in a “follow-up” or referral scenario
- risks of iatrogenic “harm” associated with psychological crisis intervention and will further discuss how to reduce those risks
- principles of self-care
Successful completion of the Approved Instructor Candidate 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 Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis Approved Instructor Candidate Program:
- Completion of the Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis class. (A copy of your certificate of completion is required to accompany the application).
- ICISF Approved Instructor in good standing for:
- Assisting Individuals in Crisis (formerly known as Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support) and Group Crisis Intervention
- Have taught no less than three Assisting Individuals in Crisis courses with good student evaluations.
- A letter of recommendation/endorsement from a local, state or regional CISM team or agency / institution dated within three months of application due date.
- A letter of recommendation/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/endorsement must attest to the instructor candidate’s teaching ability. If neither of the aforementioned letters can do so, a third letter must be submitted.
- Active membership on a crisis intervention team.
- Current ICISF individual or team membership.
- A copy of a current CV or resume.
- A brief statement outlining:
- Your crisis intervention/CISM experience
- Active membership on a crisis intervention team
- Your instructional experience.
- Reasons for applying for ICISF Approved Instructor Training.
- Completion of the ICISF/UMBC CISM Certification Exam: https://cismcertifications.org
Optional “CISM: A Practical Review” can be purchased here
Click here to download a PDF with these prerequisites.
