Navigating Crisis and Trauma Response: Core Competencies for Professionals

Course overview

This course is designed to equip 988 call line workers and counselors with foundational knowledge and practical skills for effectively responding to crisis and traumatic stress. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the physiological and psychological responses to stress, learn evidence-based trauma treatment models and explore crisis communication strategies to enhance intervention efficacy. With a focus on the Tri-phasic Model of trauma care and psychoeducational approaches, this course aims to prepare mental health professionals for the unique challenges they encounter in crisis situations. Objectives: After completing this course, participants will be able to: 1. Identify the response and function of the autonomic nervous system regarding perceived threat, stress, PNS/SNS and somatization in the symptoms of traumatic stress. 2. Discover the use of the Tri-phasic Model as a standard of care when treating traumatic stress. 3. Explore crisis strategies with communication and intervention. 4. Describe common factors for responding to traumatic stress and psycho-educational components of early treatment.