Crisis Management

Critical Incident Training

The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation Training (ICISF) offers both core and specialty courses in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), designed to build practical, real-world skills for supporting individuals and groups after critical incidents. Led by Certified ICISF Instructor, Dr. Mira lngemann, each course provides hands­on training in key CISM interventions, including when to use each technique, how to apply it effectively, and the considerations that guide best practice. Through interactive group exercises and applied learning, participants gain the confidence and skills needed to respond with competence and care in high-stress situations.

Assisting Individuals in Crisis (TDS 746)

Crisis Intervention is not psychotherapy. Instead, it is a specialised form of acute mental health support that requires focused training. Just as physical first aid stabilizes someone before surgery, crisis intervention provides immediate emotional support before longer-term care - which is why it is often described as "emotional first aid."

This programme introduces participants to the fundamentals of crisis intervention and a structured protocol for supporting individuals experiencing a crisis. Participants will gain practical skills and a clear framework for responding effectively, compassionately, and confidently in high-stress situations.

The courses provide essential knowledge for professionals and volunteers involved in peer support and crisis response, including those working in: Education, Emergency Services, Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Military, Disaster Response, Employee Assistance, Healthcare, Mental Health, Spiritual Care, and Business & Industry.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the need for psychological crisis intervention (PFA).
• Understand and differentiate the key terms and concepts relevant to the study of psychological crisis intervention/PFA.
• Be able to assess the "psychological toxicity" of a critical incident/disaster.
• Understand the nature and definition of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and its role as a continuum of care.
• Understand the risks of iatrogenic "harm" associated with psychological crisis intervention and will further understand how to reduce those risks.
• Review research relevant to the practice of psychological crisis intervention.
• Be better able to recognise common psychological and behavioural crisis reactions.
• List the putative and empirically derived mechanisms of action in psychological crisis intervention.
• Understand the steps in the SAFER-R model of individual psychological crisis intervention/PFA.
• Understand how the SAFER-R model may be altered for suicide intervention.

Fall 2026 Course Schedule

Assisting Individuals in Crisis (TDS 746)
$475

Group Crisis Intervention (TDS 745)
$595

The course is designed to present the core elements of a comprehensive, systemic and multi-component crisis intervention curriculum, the Group Crisis Intervention course will prepare participants to understand a wide range of crisis intervention services. Fundamentals of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) will be outlined, and participants will leave with the knowledge and tools to provide several group crisis interventions, specifically RITS, CMB, defusings and the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD). The need for appropriate follow-up services and referrals, when necessary, will also be discussed.

This course offers core knowledge for anyone involved in Peer Support and crisis intervention. This includes people in the fields of Emergency Services, Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Military, Disaster Response, Education, Employee Assistance, Healthcare, Mental Health, Spiritual Care, and Business & Industry.