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Training and Presentations
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
Training is designed to provide comprehensive instruction for attendees to be able to perform interventions within the model of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). The training follows the internationally recognized model of training and practice developed by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), which is widely endorsed by NH first responder communities. Training may be provided in a one day schedule to accommodate organizations with somewhat limited time for professional development; however, the full training is two days, which may be broken up as needed to accommodate the schedules of attendees (training days or times do not need to be consecutive). The model covers individual crisis intervention (Psychological First Aid), as well as small and large group interventions including Critical Incident Stress Defusing, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Crisis Management Briefings, and Transition Services for emergency personnel. Participants will gain an understanding of how critical incidents are defined, how critical incidents impact individuals and organizations or communities, and how to provide interventions within the model of CISM.
Time commitment = 1 full day or 2 full days
Psychological First Aid (PFA)
Training provides attendees with information about engaging in the most widely used intervention within the field of disaster behavioral health. The training schedule is designed to be flexible to accommodate any timeframe a requesting organization may have to offer. The shorter versions of the training provide an overview of the 8 Core Actions as designated by the model of PFA developed by the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (NCPTSD) and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). The full day PFA provides opportunities for more in-depth examination of the Core Actions, as well as practice of the interventions within the model. Attendees will also gain a greater understanding of how trauma impacts individuals and the importance of self-care for everyone impacted by critical incidents – to include responders.
Time commitment = 2-3 hour, 4 hour, full day
Crisis Response Team Training
Training is designed to help organizations provide professional development to crisis response team members. Information presented covers basic principles of crisis response and disaster behavioral health, as well as critical considerations for development of a behavioral health response. Each training is specialized and customized to meet the needs of the attendees and / or the organization. Training may help an organization build a crisis response team from the beginning, increase capacity for an existing team, or provide further training for a sustained team.
Time commitment = as requested
Disaster Behavioral Health / Crisis & Trauma
Training is designed to provide attendees with a greater understanding of disaster behavioral health, crisis, and trauma. Presentations are concept based (versus intervention based) and available in any timeframe as requested by an organization or group.
Time commitment = as requested, often used for guest speaking at universities or conferences
Redefining Resilience
Training is designed to help attendees gain an understanding of traumatic, daily, and chronic or cumulative stress and how stress impacts overall wellbeing. Many people have heard of the concept of compassion fatigue, burnout, or secondary traumatization. Redefining Resilience is a different perspective that examines the etiology of compassion fatigue and strategizes ways of enhancing individual and community resilience.
Time commitment = as requested, often used as professional development for first responders, clinicians, and personnel who work within high demand or highly intense environments
Managing Distressing Calls & Other Difficult Interactions
Training is designed to discuss interactions that may occur within service driven occupations and how to manage interactions that are difficult, stressful, or impacted by traumatic stress. Attendees examine examples of interactions, learn about traumatic stress and how it impacts communication, and ways to enhance resilience in the face of difficult work.
Time commitment = as requested, recommended minimum of 3 hours; this training was developed and used as professional development for the NH Department of Health & Human Services and has been delivered with positive feedback to varied organizations.
CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means)
Training is designed to instruct attendees on evidence-based strategies for suicide prevention and intervention through assessing and restricting someone’s access to lethal means. The training was developed by Elaine Frank and Mark Ciocca for a general audience (not specific to mental health professionals).
Time commitment = 2 – 3 hours
CONNECT Suicide Prevention & CONNECT Suicide Postvention
Training was developed by the NH National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The model discusses the socioecological approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. Attendees will also learn strategies for providing support to individuals experiencing suicidality, as well as for providing support to individuals, families, and communities who have been impacted by suicide.
Time commitment = 1 full day for each model
Working in a Family Assistance Center (FAC)
Training provides information about how to plan for, stand up, or work in a family assistance center following a critical incident. The training may be designed based on the needs of the requesting organization. For example, training has focused on engaging attendees for working a shift in a FAC, identifying strategies for standing up a FAC within a community, or both.
Time commitment = as requested, often provided as preparation for volunteer organizations, Public Health Networks, or other responder groups who may be involved in working in a FAC following a critical incident, emergency, or disaster that impacts families and communities
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training: Disaster Psychology
Training is designed to provide new volunteer team members with an overview of responding to emergencies and critical incidents;Â working with individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted by disasters; and enhancing individual and team resilience through self-care strategies. The foundation of the training was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and modified to include my education and experience from 15+ years working in the field.
Time commitment: as requested, this training is often provided within the multi-day multi-module framework and is often scheduled for 2-3 hours
Please Note:
Training is often customized specifically for the requesting organization or group. Training descriptions include courses that have a presentation foundation that may be modified per organization. Many organizations have also requested training that is specific to their needs, which is developed by request. If there is interest in a training within the field of behavioral health that is not listed or described, please feel free to contact me for information about training development or modification. Information is only valuable if it’s relevant to the experiences of attendees and I strive to make that happen! I am also available for conference presentations.