Most crises are part of normal life experiences but some people will require professional intervention to recover. This course is ideal for those who wish to broaden their counselling qualifications, including those who work in or are planning to work in trauma counselling, psychotherapy, psychology or in health or caring roles.
The Certificate of Crisis Counselling is an online program that will equip you with the skills to deal with a range of crisis situations including pandemics, assaults, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, mental illnesses and various kinds of loss.
In this professional development course, you will study the methods for crisis intervention, some of the dangers posed by intervening, and the ethical, professional and legal implications of crisis intervention.
You will also further explore the possible modes of intervention in the case of violence, sexual assault, drug addiction, family crises and post-traumatic stress disorder.
On completion of this course, you will have the skills to reduce the intensity of a person’s physical, mental, emotional and behavioural reactions to a crisis, and assist them with returning to an optimal level of functioning.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Understanding methods of crisis intervention
- Situational crisis
- Existential crisis
- Crisis responses
- Crisis intervention
- Who provides crisis intervention?
- Responding to a crisis
- Problems
- Useful definitions
- Critical incident stress management (CISM)
- Stress debriefing
- Psychological debriefing
- Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD)
- Law enforcement personnel and CISD
- Criticisms of psychological debriefing and CISD
Unit 2 - Ethical, professional and legal issues
- Professional responsibilities
- Conflicts of interest
- Duty of care
- Sexual exploitation
- Group counselling
- Diminished capacity
- Cultural issues and respect
- Client records and confidentiality
- Dual relationships
- Professional consultation
- Professional and specialist skills
- Supporting people who are grieving
- Suicide
- Dealing with anger
- Termination and referral
- Dependency
- Ending the counselling process
Unit 3 - Dangers during crisis and effective intervention
- Transference and counter-transference
- Teenage crisis
- Suicide
- Types of suicide
- Suicide intervention
- Professional ethics and suicide
- Suicide and autonomy
- Risks to the professional
- Case study – South Asian Tsunami
- Debriefing the debriefer
Unit 4 - Developmental crises
- Situational crises
- Erikson’s Psychological Stated of development model
- Model stages
- Teenagers in crisis
- Causes of teenage crisis
- Interventions
- Children coping with disaster and crisis
- Grief and children
- Developmental stages
- Preparing a child for death
- Sudden deaths
- After a death
- Childhood responses to grief
- Supporting a grieving child
- What is ok and what is not ok
- Children with serious problems with loss and grief
- Grief as a unique adolescent experience
- Differences in grief
Unit 5 - Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Common symptoms of PTSD
- Treatment of PTSD
- Avoidance
- Types of PTSD
- Components of PTSD treatment
Unit 5 - Violence and sexual assault
- Responses to assault
- Sexual assault trauma syndrome
- Assault grief
- Male survivors of sexual assault
- Stalking
- Pursuit behaviour
- False stalking syndrome
- Sexual abuse counselling
- Violent attacks
- How violence can affect the victim
- Terrorist attacks
Unit 6 - Crisis and drug addiction
- Traumatic effects that lead to drug abuse
- Why people use drugs
- Symptoms
- Men, depression and substance abuse
- Disasters and substance abuse or dependence
- PTSD and alcohol abuse
- Effect treatment patterns
- Mental health issues
Unit 7 - Family crisis
- Child abuse
- Triggers of abuse
- Stranger abusers
- Transitions
- Grandparenthood
- PTSD and the family
Unit 8 - Crisis and cultural issues
- Are counselling and therapy culture-bound?
- Culture shock
- Dealing with cultural change
- Crisis intervention
- Traumatic stress reactions
- Recovery process
- Behaviours
Assessment
When you study with Australian Online Courses you will be assessed using a competency-based training method. Competency-based training focuses on a learner’s ability to receive, respond to and process information to achieve a competency result. As such, skills-based and knowledge assessments are geared towards attainment to meet industry-defined standards.
Assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, including short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 100 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Counsellors
- Crisis Counsellors
- Trauma Counsellor
- Health Professionals