This one-hour session is an introduction to In the Trenches, a Training in Mental Health Mobile Crisis. The presentation is designed to provide a high level overview of what the day long course(s) entail. It stresses how mobile crisis is distinctly different from other areas in the field where very little research or training is available at this time. The material is able to be presented over zoom and is designed particularly for individuals, agency directors and supervisors to "sample" or view what would be covered in the full day session(s), in order to determine relevance and appropriateness. Crisis, a Specialty in the Behavioral Health Field was first presented at the 2nd Annual Co-Responder Conference in Olathe, KS in June 2021 and has been presented at multiple other conferences since that time including the St. Cloud MN, Indianapolis, IN, Kansas City, KS.
A two-day course that will start with going over 25 essential crisis skills which, when mastered, improve every interaction made in a mobile crisis setting. The two days will build on the 25 essential skills taught in module one. Crisis avoidance and de-escalation will be a core section where learned skills are played out and rehearsed. This changes and improves any clinicians approach to interacting with difficult people. Safety is the center of the course, and each topic has a safety component. Covering safety from various perspectives allows participants multiple ways to digest and reframe the topic so that it is ingrained.
Staff in a mobile crisis role are working in unfamiliar environments: a stranger's home, hotel room, park trail, or side of a road. This is fundamentally different from an office, walk in center, emergency room, or jail. Conducting assessments in the field is nothing like conducting assessments in a familiar environment and the skills needed to be effective, efficient, and most of all, safe, are vital.
The two-day course has round table discussions, scenario review, and role play segments for each module. In addition to presentation of material participants can discuss in depth step-by-step situations, evaluate safety issues, and learn to think critically and slowly in order for outcomes to be safe and effective. In the Trenches is designed to energize crisis clinicians and others working in the crisis response world with the ability to be confident and proud of the work they do.
With 988 launched, mobile crisis staff will be more sought after than ever before. This course will help the novice clinician all the way to the experienced clinician – any mental health professional who wishes to move their work from the office to the street. Participants will learn, practice, discuss and walk away with the fundamental crisis skills that are essential for the mental health crisis clinician on the frontline and In The Trenches.
A one and a-half hour course that provides understanding of why people can become difficult and how to resolve conflicts in a civilized, calm, and safe manner. Attendees will learn skills allowing them to better assess their environment and continuously “loop” through observation and action. They will be able to discuss how their presence affects each situation. Communication skills will be practiced and mastered as well as de-escalation strategies and exit strategies, which are to be used when safety cannot be obtained.
Currently, training sessions are only being offered if coordinated by an agency or group.
If an agency, county or group is interested hosting a class for a team or multiple teams in an area, please contact me directly for pricing and details.
In the Trenches is currently being reviewed by NASW and NBCC for CEU credits to be offered to clinicians holding a state license. This information will be posted with each course as it becomes available.
None of the courses presented are intended to teach individual state law or agency protocol. Participants are encouraged to speak to their supervision on process and policy and seek legal council for any state laws or regulations that may be in question.
Thank you for offering this training! I found it to be a great refresher for myself, having gotten a little bit of classroom crisis education in grad school years ago, but not a lot of formal training, and having been thrown into situations before where I had to figure it out. The content was extremely relevant and relatively simple, but transforming the concepts discussed in a training setting into practice is always a challenge for me.
Neil Hilton - Poulsbo, WA participant
As the Sheriff of Garfield County, I have been involved in many conversations about the increasing mental health crisis, but I never thought a co-responder program was viable. I was wrong! Michelle and her team at Aspen Hope Center have been providing the Sheriff’s Office and our community a great alternative to a law enforcement response to cases that shouldn’t require law enforcement! They are quick to respond, follow up and have taught us so much about crisis intervention. We still have a long way to go to with mental health issues, but this program has been the fuel to get us started and Michelle is an excellent trainer.
Lou Vallario, Sheriff Garfield County Colorado
Overall, I really enjoyed this training! The instructor is very passionate and knowledgeable in her field of work, and it shows in her presentation of the material. I think there is massive room for growth in crisis management training, and with more specified parameters, this training could be applicable to a bigger set of responders and support people.
Great hands-on, real life training. I found it valuable and relevant to my work as a school social worker. It was awesome to attend with our team including our Fire Fighters. For me, personally, much of the training was an excellent refresher. I also enjoyed the concept of the OODA loop! Thanks!
Morgan Webb - Redmond, WA participant
It is so hard to believe that there is no training for the crisis work so many of us are out there on the frontlines doing. THANK YOU for your passion and energy in this course. I learned such valuable things in this class and I left excited to return to work and put to use new skills and techniques to use. Your passion is contagious and your pride for the work in this field is inspiring. Keep inspiring others, this work is so important! Thank you!
Erin - Olathe, KS
Michelle brought an even brighter outlook to crisis work for me today. Feel like a new fire has been lit! Highly recommend her training...her knowledge alone is amazing and she is a genuine person that cares. Thank you!
Danielle Chandler
Woodland Centers, MN
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