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Critical Incidents and Crisis Intervention | A CBT-Informed, Trauma-Informed Approach for First Responders, Medical Professionals, and Behavioral Health Professionals

Program Details:
January 20, 2027 | 9:00am -12:00pm
Modality:
  • In-person
Registration Fee(s):
Free to $60.00
Additional Details
Instructional Hours:
3.00
Didactic Hours (AHEC Scholars):
3.00
Experiential Hours (AHEC Scholars):
0.00
Registration Deadline:
1/19/27 11:59 PM
Cancellation Deadline:
1/18/27 9:00 AM
Brought to you by:
Presenter(s)
Description
Critical incidents affect individuals differently, regardless of training, experience, or profession. First responders, behavioral health clinicians, and emergency personnel routinely encounter traumatic events that challenge emotional resilience, cognitive functioning, ethical decision-making, and overall wellness. While many professionals recover naturally, others experience cumulative stress, moral injury, compassion fatigue, burnout, or symptoms consistent with acute stress reactions and post-traumatic stress. This interactive three-hour course provides participants with practical, evidence-informed strategies for recognizing, assessing, and responding to critical incidents using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychological First Aid (PFA), trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention principles. Participants will explore the neurobiology of trauma, the effects of cumulative occupational stress, and techniques for stabilizing individuals during and after crisis events. Drawing upon the instructor's combined experience as both a retired law enforcement officer and Licensed Professional Counselor, the course bridges operational realities with clinical best practices. Participants will learn interventions applicable across healthcare, public safety, and mental health settings while emphasizing clinician wellness, resilience, ethical practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The course incorporates lecture, group discussion, practical exercises, and real-world scenarios designed to enhance confidence when responding to individuals experiencing crisis following critical incidents.
Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Define critical incidents and distinguish them from routine occupational stressors.
  • Identify common psychological, physiological, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive responses following traumatic events.
  • Explain the neurobiology of trauma, including the roles of the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex.
  • Differentiate acute stress reactions, PTSD, burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and moral injury.
  • Conduct rapid crisis assessments while recognizing suicide risk, safety concerns, and protective factors.
  • Apply Psychological First Aid principles to stabilize individuals immediately following critical incidents.
  • Utilize CBT-based crisis intervention strategies to reduce emotional distress and improve adaptive coping.
  • Demonstrate effective communication techniques for individuals experiencing psychological crisis.
  • Identify when referral for higher levels of behavioral health care is clinically indicated.
  • Develop individualized resilience and self-care strategies to reduce cumulative occupational stress.
  • Recognize organizational factors that promote healthy recovery following critical incidents.
  • Integrate trauma-informed principles into crisis response across healthcare, emergency services, and behavioral health settings.
Disclosures
Pee Dee AHEC’s conflict of interest policy requires faculty to disclose any real or apparent commercial financial affiliations related to the content of their presentations/materials. Speakers have signed a vested interest form declaring any conflict of interest in education activities.
Credits Available
  • Social Worker
    SC Board of Social Work Examiners (Non-SW)
    • Consortium Members:
      • Regular: $30.00 (Until 1/19/2027)
    • All Others:
      • Regular: $60.00 (Until 1/19/2027)
    Credit Statement
    This program is approved for 3 non-social work hours of continuing education by Pee Dee AHEC, a part of the South Carolina AHEC system, as defined by the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners.
  • Law Enforcement
    SC Criminal Justice Academy
    • Consortium Members:
      • Regular: $30.00 (Until 1/19/2027)
    • All Others:
      • Regular: $60.00 (Until 1/19/2027)
    Credit Statement

    This program has been approved for 3.00 credit hours by The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Institutional Provider Number: 433 Lesson Plan Number: 7719 from 10/19/26 -10/19/2028.

  • EMS
    SC Department of Public Health Division of Emergency Medical Services
    • Consortium Members:
      • Regular: $30.00 (Until 1/19/2027)
    • All Others:
      • Regular: $60.00 (Until 1/19/2027)
    Credit Statement
    The Division of EMS and Trauma of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has approved this program for the following Continued Education Units based on NREMT's 2016 NCCR Standards. 3.0 Hours total
  • Counselor/Therapist
    SC Board of Examiners for Professional Counselors
    • Consortium Members:
      • Regular: $30.00 (Until 1/19/2027)
    • All Others:
      • Regular: $60.00 (Until 1/19/2027)
    Credit Statement
    This program is approved for 3 hours of continuing education by Pee Dee AHEC, a division of SC AHEC, under its accreditation by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists.
  • All other participants
    Area Health Education Consortium
    • Consortium Members:
      • Regular: $30.00 (Until 1/19/2027)
    • All Others:
      • Regular: $60.00 (Until 1/19/2027)
    Credit Statement
    This program provides 0.3 CEUs by Pee Dee AHEC and meets South Carolina AHEC Best Practice Standards.
  • AHEC Scholars
    Area Health Education Consortium Student
    • Pricing:
      • Regular: Free (Until 1/19/2027)
    Credit Statement
    Participation recognition only: This 3 hour(s) program is presented by SC AHEC.
Locations/Participation Options
  • McLeod Plaza Classroom (Plaza Classroom)
    Location:
    Florence , SC Details
    Status:
    Open
Contact(s)

If you have questions about the credits, location/video conference information, or any other details specific to this particular program, please reach out to the contact(s) below:

  • Name:
    Kimberly Morris
    Phone:
    843-777-5352
    Email:
    Kimberlymorris@mcleodhealth.org
If you have questions related to registering or using the AHEC Learning Portal, please contact alp@scahec.net.

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