Description
This training is designed to equip healthcare and support staff with practical, evidence-based skills to safely and effectively de-escalate patient behavior following a crisis event. Emphasis is placed on restoring safety, rebuilding therapeutic rapport, and preventing re-escalation while supporting patient dignity and emotional regulation.
Participants will learn to recognize post-crisis emotional and behavioral cues, apply trauma-informed communication strategies, and implement structured de-escalation techniques tailored to individual patient needs. The training also addresses staff self-regulation, reflective practice, and team communication to reduce burnout and improve overall care outcomes.
Through interactive discussion, case scenarios, and skill-based practice, participants will strengthen their confidence in managing post-crisis interactions, supporting patient recovery, and contributing to a safer, more therapeutic care environment.
Format
Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity with post-test.
This presentation was recorded on February 3, 2026.
Learning Objectives
At the completion of the activity, participants will:
Demonstrate how to help the patient, provider and team identify the feelings behind their behaviors following a crisis event.
Learn strategies for restoring therapeutic rapport and rebuilding trust with patients after escalation.
Apply post-crisis de-escalation techniques to support patient emotional regulation and a safe return to the milieu.
Outline
- Trauma-informed care as the foundation
- Goals of post-crisis response
- Post-crisis engagement strategies
- Grounding and coping techniques
Target Audience
Psychiatrist, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Technician, Psychologist, Counselor/Therapist, Social Worker, Peer Specialist
Instructional Level
Introductory, Intermediate
Estimated Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 60 minutes/hours
Program Release Date: February 10, 2026
Program End Date: February 10, 2029
Ongoing Interdisciplinary Discussion Board
After completing the course, engage with colleagues in the mental health field through the Webinar Roundtable Topics discussion board. This is an easy way to network and share ideas with other clinicians who participate in this webinar. Access through the discussion tab.
How to Earn Credit
After completing the evaluation, participants will have the opportunity to claim their hours of participation and download the appropriate certificate. Physicians may obtain an official CME certificate, other healthcare professionals may receive a CE certificate (as applicable), and all other attendees may generate a certificate of participation. Each certificate will reflect the event date and total hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this live event for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nurses/Nurse Practitioners
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) designates this activity for 1.00 Nursing contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Psychiatric Technicians
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) as a provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychiatric Technicians (LPTs). Provider Number: 15028
This course is approved for 1.00 of continuing education for LPTs.
Psychologists
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. APA maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive up to 1.00 clinical continuing education credits.
***Continuing education requirements vary from state to state. Many state boards grant reciprocity with national accrediting organizations and other state boards. It is the responsibility of each professional to understand the requirements for license renewal or check with the state or national licensing board and/or professional organization to become more familiar with their policies for acceptable continuing education credit. Social workers and Psychologists should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval.
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity - including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others - are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Faculty:
- Jose M. Viruet, LCPC is the Founder of Thrive Wellness. He served as a clinical expert on the SAMHSA-funded SMI Adviser. With over 20 years of experience, he brings deep expertise and compassion to his work with adolescents, young adults, and adults facing significant mental and behavioral health challenges. As a bilingual clinician licensed in Illinois, he is committed to providing accessible, culturally responsive care. His extensive clinical background spans residential care, inpatient hospital settings, community outreach, and integrated medical environments. His expertise in de-escalation is grounded in nearly 15 years of direct experience in inpatient and residential treatment settings, where he supported individuals experiencing acute psychiatric and behavioral crises. Mr. Viruet has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Program Planners:
- John Torous, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Torous has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Kathryn Hanley, APRN, Austin State Hospital. Ms. Hanley has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Amy N. Cohen, PhD, American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Cohen reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
- Charles Perdue, Department of State Hospitals. Mr. Perdue reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
- Sherin Khan, LCSW, Thresholds. Ms. Khan reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities
The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.
Technical Requirements
This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:
The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
Internet Explorer 11+
This Web site requires JavaScript and session cookies to be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, or Windows Media Player.
Optimal System Configuration:
Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher
Minimum Requirements:
Windows PC:
Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video
For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity | Contact support@smicaladviser.org for technical assistance