De-escalation Skills for the Front Line: A Practical Approach

Requesting This Course:

Course Description:

This program trains participants in effective De-escalation skills from a variety of perspectives. Lessons learned about assessing, intervening, and monitoring the effectiveness of de-escalation will be reviewed. Participants will learn recent developments in the psychology of extreme escalation. We will also focus on the mental preparation skills that can lead to effective intervention under stress.  Skill based scenario training will be used to increase participants confidence in their ability to effectively intervene with those in extreme crisis. The program is designed for those who serve on the front line including public safety, first responders, health care providers, mental health professionals, crisis workers, and social service professionals. 

Program Highlights:

  • The demand for effective De-escalation skills
  • Introduction and overview of the crisis escalation process
  • Recognizing early warning signs of escalation
  • Safety concerns : Recognizing signs of impending violence
  • Mental Preparation to intervene effectively
  • Verbal De-escalation Techniques – Listening and Responding
  • Assessing key themes driving the escalation
  • Problem solving under stress
  • Trauma-Informed De-escalation
  • States of mind and De-escalation: What we know about changing states

Certificates and Continuing Education:

General Contact Hours: 

One-Day Course; 7 Contact Hours: 0.7 General CEUs from University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Dept. of Emergency Health Services Professional and Continuing Education (PACE). Based on a formula of 1 Continuing Education Unit for every 10 contact/classroom hours.

ICISF Certificate of Completion:

After the completion of this ICISF course, with verified full attendance, participants are eligible to receive an electronic ICISF Certificate of Completion including General Continuing Education Units. Participants are required to complete a course evaluation prior to receiving this Certificate of Completion.

Completion of ICISF courses and receipt of an ICISF Certificate of Completion does not attest to competence in the field, nor does it provide certification in the field of CISM. 

Profession Specific CEUs:

If you are seeking continuing education requirements for a specific profession, contacting the relevant state licensing board is the best way to ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information. They can provide you with specific details regarding whether a Certificate of Completion from a particular course or program will be accepted towards your continuing education requirements.

If the ICISF course you attend is offered through:

ICISF Virtual Training, Online Training, or Conference, it is approved for the following:

  • EAPA – Employee Assistance Professionals Association
    7 PDHs; Expiration Date – March 21, 2025
  • NAADAC – the Association for Addiction Professionals
    7 CE Credits; Expiration Date – February 28, 2025

This course has been approved by International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider # 87914, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), is responsible for all aspects of the programing.

ICISF Speakers Bureau Program: It is up to the Sponsoring Agency to apply for profession-specific Continuing Education Units (CEUs) if they choose to do so.

ICISF Approved-Instructor led Program: While our Approved Instructors have the authority to teach specific ICISF courses, it is their responsibility to apply for profession-specific Continuing Education Units (CEUs) if they choose to do so.

** Please check with your state licensing board prior to registration to see if they will accept the Certificate of Completion as a means for continuing education.

*PLEASE NOTE: These hours are only applicable towards courses offered at Virtual Trainings, Conferences, Online Courses, and the World Congress.

Learn more on our ICISF Continuing Education Information page.