Temperament in Crisis: Understanding Overcontrol and Undercontrol in Emotional Responses

Course overview

This course introduces 988 crisis workers to concepts of emotional overcontrol and undercontrol as frameworks for understanding caller behavior. Participants will learn to identify these temperamental styles quickly during crisis calls and apply brief, evidence-based interventions tailored to each style. The course draws on research around temperament and emotional regulation styles, while also incorporating practical skills to enhance caller engagement and crisis resolution. Objectives: After completing this course, participants will be able to: 1. Identify key characteristics of emotional overcontrol and undercontrol using DSM-5 criteria and real-world examples. 2. Apply quick assessment techniques to determine a caller's predominant temperamental style during a crisis. 3. Utilize tailored intervention strategies to improve outcomes for callers based on their temperamental and emotional regulation style.