International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.

Pastoral Crisis Intervention

The Pastoral Crisis Intervention program may be thought of as the combination of faith-based resources with traditional techniques of crisis intervention. Pastoral crisis intervention represents a powerful addition to traditional community and organizational psychological support resources. The purpose of the workshop is to assist in learning how pastoral interventions and traditional psychological crisis interventions may be effectively integrated.
Interested participants would include chaplains, pastoral counselors, mental health professionals, ministers, and anyone interested in the use of faith-based resources. Successful completion of the Approved Instructor program will allow you to teach this curriculum to others. Continuing education will be required to maintain your instructor status.

Prerequisites for Participation in Pastoral Crisis Intervention 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)
    • Pastoral Crisis Intervention courses as taught by ICISF or by an approved ICISF instructor.
    • Preferred: Completion of above plus Advanced Group Crisis Intervention.
      (Copies of certificates of completion are required to accompany the application.)
  • A minimum of three years critical incident / traumatic stress experience.
  • Completion of a minimum of five 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.