Level I: Assisting Individuals in Crisis | Reading, PA

Assisting Individuals in Crisis (AIC) is the first of the three consecutive FBFR courses. 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 often called "emotional first-aid". This interactive program is designed to teach participants the fundamentals of crisis intervention along with proper protocols for assisting individuals in the throes of crisis situations. Those attending the seminar will learn how to administer this emotional first-aid to people by using a variety of intervention techniques including the SAFER-R model. Crisis communication techniques including the "diamond structure" model, strategic planning for crisis intervention , and the "resistance, resilience, and recovery" continuum comprise some of the array of techniques and concepts that are covered. This training has been helpful to both mental health professionals as well as those inexperienced in the field. Participants learn through information presented by the instructor along with scenarios and role-plays enacted throughout the workshop. A workbook and notes are provided to assist in the learning process. Anyone interested in assisting those experiencing the "fallout" of a critical incident will find this course of great value. It has application across a broad spectrum of individual, local, and national emergencies, disasters, and catastrophes.