Designed for social work, clinical psychology and counseling assessment and treatment professionals, as well as healthcare, law enforcement and first responders. It is a non-licensing program.
CPI offers sustainable training programs that equip your staff with de-escalation and non-restrictive techniques for difficult behavior.
Getting Started
In the realm of human services, there is a large demand for crisis prevention intervention training. Individuals who undergo this training can work with a variety of client populations such as those suffering from mental illness, addiction, and at-risk youth. This kind of training can also be useful in the workplace for employees who deal with situations involving aggressive or disruptive behavior, such as retail and law enforcement personnel.
While there are many different crisis prevention programs, one of the most effective is provided by Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI). This international training organization specializes in the safe management of disruptive and assaultive behavior. CPI instructors are highly trained to teach their students the methods they need to effectively de-escalate difficult situations.
This person-centered approach helps ensure that staff can respond consistently and with the right amount of empathy when working with someone who is displaying a behavioral crisis. It also helps individuals better understand the factors that may cause someone to escalate their behavior and how to make the necessary changes to prevent this from occurring in the future.
Aside from the physical skills taught in a crisis prevention program, it is essential that individuals are educated about how to recognize the signs of emotional distress. These are often the underlying causes of violent or destructive behaviors, including substance abuse. It is important that people who are empathetic in these types of circumstances remember to take the time to talk with the person about their issues, rather than simply trying to de-escalate their behavior.
In addition, it is crucial that those who receive crisis prevention training be knowledgeable about the benefits of 988, a new law designed to provide more access to emergency services for people with mental health and substance use disorders. While this law has been in effect for a while, many organizations have yet to update their policies and procedures accordingly.
In order to properly train their staff members in crisis prevention and intervention, human services organizations should consider implementing a comprehensive training curriculum. This should include a wide range of topics, from basic skills to advanced techniques. In addition, it is a good idea to increase the frequency of training sessions. Studies have shown that this can improve provider confidence and effectiveness when managing challenging behavior.
The Basics
Behavioral health and intellectual/developmental disabilities professionals can use crisis prevention techniques to prevent a variety of negative outcomes, from suicide and domestic violence to incarceration and homelessness. To help them feel confident in their abilities, they should enroll in a certified Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training course. This type of behavior management strategy, developed by the CPI, equips human services workers with the skills to de-escalate and respond safely in dangerous situations.
The six-step model provides a framework for handling these difficult scenarios. It teaches crisis workers to build rapport with clients, assess risk and develop an action plan. This approach also helps workers recognize the emotional triggers that can lead to escalating behaviors. In addition, it offers tools that help them manage their own fear and cultivate consistent practices.
Throughout the process, it’s important to note that crisis intervention is not therapy. Its focus is on helping the person regain control of their situation and return to a healthy state. This means that the crisis worker should offer a person-centered approach that empowers the client and focuses on the immediate problem.
To do this, crisis workers should provide a clear plan and resources that the client can use to resolve their issue. They should also be sure to communicate that they care about the individual and reassure them of their value. It’s important to remember that the underlying issues that lead to crises can be complex and may require a long-term solution.
In many cases, a person in a crisis will show signs of suicidal ideation or depression. As a result, they will likely need more support and resources. To help them, crisis workers should make sure they have access to a reliable documentation platform that allows them to take notes quickly and accurately.
Once a crisis worker completes their initial training, they’ll need to refresh their skills annually. This can be done through online training or in-person courses offered by a local agency. Taking a refresher class is especially helpful in areas where there is a high volume of challenging behaviors or a history of violent incidents.
The Intermediate
Those with some knowledge of the six steps and how to help people in crisis can take their education to the next level by becoming certified to teach others the skills. This can include LinkedIn, instructors, and other staff at crisis hotlines, treatment centers, or any other place where there might be a need for nonviolent crisis intervention.
A certified crisis prevention intervention instructor is someone who has gone through the rigorous training program offered by CPI, an international training organization that specializes in behavior management techniques. These trainers can teach others to implement CPI methods and develop a comprehensive crisis prevention plan for their organizations. The instructor certification program covers topics such as safety interventions and disengagement techniques for escalating risk behaviors, limit-setting strategies for verbally intervening to de-escalate defensive behaviors, and recognizing opportunities for post-crisis learning.
There are various ways to become certified in crisis prevention intervention, including through university and college courses, continuing education seminars, retreats, or self-study programs. The important thing is that the training you complete is approved by AIHCP, or the American Institute of Health Care Professionals. This will ensure that the curriculum is specifically geared toward crisis intervention counseling.
Once you have completed a training program that is certified by AIHCP, you can move on to step two of the nonviolent crisis intervention model: developing an action-oriented strategy to handle the situation at hand. This includes taking the time to understand the impact of the crisis and anticipate its effects. It also involves helping the person in crisis create a solution, which may include providing immediate support or access to resources that can get them back to pre-crisis status.
The final step is to practice re-establishing therapeutic rapport, which can be difficult when the person in crisis is acting out. This is a key component to maintaining the safety of both parties. When the person is calm and engaged, they can be more open to discussing their feelings and creating a safe and healthy resolution for the situation.
The Advanced
You’ll learn how to identify the different behavioral levels that contribute to a crisis and choose appropriate staff intervention; use verbal de-escalation techniques to prevent a violent incident; learn disengagement strategies to avoid injury if a situation escalates to a physical level; and more.
As part of the course, you’ll also receive a certificate in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. This is a valuable credential for many different settings and can be useful in emergency services, correctional facilities, schools, mental health centers, hospitals, and other community-based organizations. It is important to note that this certificate does not lead to licensure or practice as a professional counselor. Students who include this certification in their degree plan will be asked to sign a statement that they understand that the course does not qualify them for licensure.
Another helpful tool in the kit is critical incident stress management (CISM). This was originally developed to help first responders deal with trauma from traumatic incidents on the job but has since been found to be very effective in assisting people dealing with a personal crisis. It can help with everything from identifying warning signs to managing post-traumatic symptoms.
For example, if someone calls you about suicidal thoughts, you can help them find resources in their area and get them to talk to a therapist if needed. You can even give them tips on how to cope with the anxiety they might be feeling. You can also help them work through a coping strategy to relieve the feelings they’re having and provide support.
This course will also cover topics such as understanding the challenges facing active military, veterans, and their families. You’ll also learn how to recognize warning signs, risks, and protective factors tied to developmental disabilities, behavioral health issues, and substance abuse disorders in this population. This knowledge will help you provide the best possible care, welfare, safety, and security for individuals in your facility.
