Public safety professionals regularly encounter situations that place significant emotional and psychological demands on those who respond. Training that prepares officers and other first responders to recognize and respond to crisis-related stress plays an important role in strengthening peer support and maintaining the well-being of those who serve.
Two Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training courses will be offered in Myrtle Beach in March through SC LEAP. The programs focus on crisis intervention skills designed for public safety professionals who may encounter individuals or colleagues experiencing acute stress following traumatic events.
The courses will be held at 3340 Mustang Street in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Assisting Individuals in Crisis and Peer Support
March 18–19
The two-day course titled Assisting Individuals in Crisis and Peer Support introduces the fundamentals of crisis intervention and the practical skills used to support individuals following traumatic incidents. Crisis intervention is not psychotherapy. Instead, it functions as a specialized form of acute emergency mental health support, often described as “emotional first aid.”
Most crisis intervention efforts occur on a one-on-one basis. The training provides participants with a structured approach for communicating with individuals experiencing emotional distress and for recognizing common reactions to traumatic events.
Participants will study core concepts related to crisis response and psychological stress, including common psychiatric symptoms that may follow trauma. The program also introduces crisis communication techniques and examines factors associated with suicide risk.
A central component of the course is the SAFER protocol, a structured method used in individual crisis intervention. Instruction includes an explanation of the model and practical exercises that allow participants to practice applying the protocol in realistic scenarios.
Additional topics addressed during the course include:
- Fundamental principles of crisis intervention
- Psychological reactions to trauma and critical incidents
- Communication strategies for individuals in distress
- Common challenges encountered when assisting individuals in crisis
Completion of the course provides 13 contact hours and qualifies as a core class within the training structure developed by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF).
Group Crisis Intervention (Group CISM)
March 23–24
A second two-day program, Group Crisis Intervention, examines the structured approaches used to support groups following traumatic incidents affecting teams, agencies, or communities.
Critical Incident Stress Management is a comprehensive and multicomponent approach to crisis intervention. The Group CISM course explores how multiple strategies work together to assist individuals and organizations following high-stress events.
Participants examine a range of crisis intervention services, including pre-incident education, support for family members and significant others, and on-scene assistance during critical incidents.
The program also addresses stress reactions associated with traumatic events, including those commonly experienced by high-risk professions such as law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services, and military personnel.
Key instructional topics include:
- Definitions of stress, critical incident stress, and post-traumatic stress reactions
- The ten core intervention strategies within the CISM framework
- Demobilization techniques following large-scale incidents
- Small-group defusing strategies
- The structure and application of Critical Incident Stress Debriefings (CISD)
Participants will observe and practice group intervention techniques and examine the factors that influence the effectiveness of post-incident support efforts.
The course provides 14 contact hours and qualifies as a core training component within the ICISF Certificate of Specialized Training program.
Training Location
All sessions will take place at:
3340 Mustang Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Training Contact
Questions regarding registration and course details may be directed to:
Jeff K. Thomas
Police Sergeant
Phone: 843-918-1906
Mobile: 843-446-1758
Email: Jeffthomas.scleap@gmail.com
Mailing Address:
PO Drawer 2468
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578-2468
Payment coordination is handled by:
Eric Karney
Phone: 843-685-4874
