This course will address the theories and techniques for the evaluation and management of behavioral emergencies and of other crises that confront counseling clients and individuals in the community.  The primary focus of the course is mental health emergencies that arise in counseling settings: situations in which there is an acute risk of intentional harm or death to self or others, as well as situations in which a vulnerable individual is at acute risk of being seriously harmed or injured.  The situations that qualify as behavioral emergencies include (a) serious suicidal states, (b) potential violence to others, (c) situations of grave risk to a relatively defenseless victim (e.g., a severely battered spouse, an abused child), and (d) states of very impaired judgment in which the individual is endangered.  In addition to behavioral emergencies that typically present in counseling settings, this course will examine the topics of assessment and intervention in situations of grief and loss, sexual assault and sexual abuse, terrorism, natural disasters, and provider burnout.  Core (CSR, D)

Required Texts

American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6^th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. ISBN-13: 978-1433805615

Kanel, K. (2015). A guide to crisis intervention (5^th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage. ISBN: 978-1-285-73990-8

Recommended Reading (not required)

Cavaiola, A. A., & Colford, J. E. (2018). Crisis intervention: A practical guide. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

Kolski, T. D., Jongsma, A. E. Jr., & Myer, R. A. (2014). The crisis counseling and traumatic events treatment planner, with DSM-5 updates (2^nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

By the end of the course, students will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of the following learning outcomes:

Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice (2016 CACREP 2.F.1)

c. counselors’ roles and responsibilities as members of interdisciplinary community outreach and emergency management response teams

Human Growth and Development (2016 CACREP 2.F.3)

g. effects of crises, disasters, and trauma-on diverse individuals across the lifespan

Counseling and Relationships (2016 CACREP 2.F.5)

l. suicide prevention models and strategies

m. crisis intervention, trauma-informed, and community-based strategies, such as Psychological First Aid

Assessment and Testing (2016 CACREP 2.F.7)

c. procedures for assessing risk of aggression or danger to others, self-inflicted harm, or suicide

d. procedures for identifying trauma and abuse and for reporting abuse

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Contextual Dimensions (2016 CACREP 5.C.2)

f. impact of crisis and trauma on individuals with mental health diagnoses

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practice (2016 CACREP 5.C.3)

b. techniques and interventions for prevention and treatment of a broad range of mental health issues