Individual Crisis Intervention & Peer Support

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 sometimes called "emotional first aid". Most crisis intervention is done individually (one-on-one). The program is designed to teach participants the fundamentals of, and a specific protocol for, individual crisis intervention and increase emergency mental health skills.

Interested participants would include emergency services personnel, military personnel, business / industrial personnel without formal training in mental health, and mental health professionals. Successful completion of the Train the Trainer program will allow you to teach this curriculum to others. Continuing education will be required to maintain your instructor status.

Prerequisites for Participation in Train the Trainer Program:

• Completion of the following ICISF courses: Group Crisis Intervention, Individual Crisis Intervention & Peer Support and Advanced Crisis Intervention courses as taught by ICISF or by an approved ICISF instructor. (Copies of certificates of completion are required to accompany the application).
• Minimum of three years critical incident / traumatic stress experience.
• A letter of recommendation from a local, state or regional CISM team or agency / institution dated within three months of application due date.*
• A letter of endorsement from a local, state or regional CISM coordinator or clinical director dated within three months of application due date.*

  * At least one of the letters of recommendation must attest to the instructor candidate's teaching ability. If neither of the aforementioned letters can do so, a third letter must be submitted.

• Active membership on a crisis intervention team.
• Current ICISF membership.
• A copy of a current CV or resume.
• Official course application form.
• A brief statement outlining:
  1. Your crisis intervention/CISM experience.
  2. Your instructional experience.
  3. Reasons for applying for ICISF Approved Instructor Training.

Last updated: March 2008