Designed to provide participants with the latest information on critical incident stress management techniques and post-trauma syndromes, the Advanced Group Crisis Intervention builds on the knowledge base which was obtained through the Group Crisis Intervention program and/or in publications. At the conclusion of this course, participants will have been exposed to specific, proven strategies to intervene with those suffering the ill effects of their exposure to trauma. Emphasis will be on advanced defusings and debriefings in complex situations.  

This course is designed for EAP, human resources and public safety personnel, mental health professionals, chaplains, emergency medical services providers, firefighters, physicians, police officers, nurses, dispatchers, airline personnel and disaster workers who are already trained in the critical incident stress debriefing format. It will also be useful for those working extensively with traumatized victims for various walks of life.

Program Highlights:

• Relevant research findings
• Managing complex group oriented crisis interventions
• Nature and importance of incident assessment
• Strategic intervention planning
• Comprehensive, integrated, systematic and multi-component CISM
• Concepts of enhanced group processes
• Significantly delayed interventions
• “Multiple incident CISD”
• Suicide of a colleague
• Small group crisis support sessions after a disaster

Successful completion of the Approved Instructor Candidate Program will allow you to teach this curriculum to others. Continuing education will be required to maintain your instructor status.

Prerequisites for participation in the Approved Instructor Candidate Program:

• Completion of the following ICISF courses as taught by ICISF or by an approved ICISF instructor. (Copies of certificates of completion are required to accompany the application).
  • Group Crisis Intervention
  • Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support
  • Advanced Group Crisis Intervention
  • Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention
  • Strategic Response to Crisis
• ICISF Approved Instructor in good standing for:
  • Group Crisis Intervention
  • Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support
• Have taught no less than five Group Crisis Intervention courses with good student evaluations.
• A minimum of five 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.