Crisis intervention is not psychotherapy, rather it is a specialized acute emergency mental health intervention which requires specialized training. As physical first aid is to surgery, crisis intervention is to psychotherapy. Thus, crisis intervention is sometimes called “emotional first aid”. Most crisis intervention is done individually (one-on-one). The program is designed to teach participants the fundamentals of, and a specific protocol for, individual crisis intervention and increase emergency mental health skills.
Interested participants would include emergency services personnel, military personnel, business/industrial personnel without formal training in mental health, and mental health professionals. 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 Approved Instructor Candidate Program
- Completion of the following ICISF courses:
- Group Crisis Intervention
- Assisting Individuals in Crisis (formerly known as Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support)
- Law Enforcement Perspectives for CISM Enhancement courses as taught by ICISF or by an approved ICISF instructor.
- Preferred: Completion of above plus completion of Advanced Group or Strategic Response to Crisis ICISF courses.
(Copies of certificates of completion are required to accompany the application.)
- Proof of a minimum of three years critical incident / traumatic stress experience.
- Proof of completion of a minimum of 15 group interventions. (Equivalent experience will be evaluated on a case by case basis).
- 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.
- Proof of active membership on a crisis intervention team.
- Current ICISF individual or team membership.
- A copy of a current CV or resume.
- Official course application form.
- A brief statement outlining
- Your crisis intervention/CISM experience.
- Your instructional experience.
- Reasons for applying for ICISF Approved Instructor Training.
- Your background as a Law Enforcement officer with ten years service OR as a mental health professional/chaplain/civilian worker with three years of service interacting with a law enforcement agency.
- 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.
