I’m Michelle, founder of Counselor
on the Go, LLC. Over my 30-year career, I’ve often felt the weight of being unprepared for the daily crises I encountered. I was inspired to create tailored training programs to help professionals discover and refine their skills to assist those in crisis.
Crisis intervention and prevention are multifaceted and complex. Like a fingerprint, each crisis is unique in its details and impact on individuals and communities. Addressing the mental health needs of those affected is crucial in the aftermath of any critical event—whether it’s a natural disaster, violent incident, or sudden loss. The emotional and psychological effects can be profound and long-lasting, making a strategic, intentional, and targeted response essential.
The Gaps in Crisis Preparedness
Research highlights significant gaps in preparing school personnel and mental health counselors to handle crisis events effectively. Many feel unprepared for the complexities and intensity of such situations, leaving schools struggling to support their communities during critical times, thus interrupting the educational process.
Facilitating Healing
To facilitate healing and restore functioning to pre-crisis levels, it is essential to:
- Understand the Facts: Sticking to a factual narrative helps people feel safe and secure. Misinformation can exacerbate fear and confusion.
- Navigate Emotional Turmoil: Helping clients express and affirm their experiences requires effort and specialized skills. These skills foster inner strength and flexibility in facing challenges. Allowing clients to ventilate while validating their experience requires an adept, skillful counselor.
- Provide Long-Term Support: The psychological impact of a crisis can persist. Early intervention helps prevent long-term issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Identifying at-risk students and those deeply affected by the event for follow-up is essential.
My Journey in Crisis Counseling
My journey in crisis counseling began with a stark realization of my own unpreparedness. Early in my career, I found myself grappling with incidents such as student shootings, car crash fatalities, deadly accidents involving viral challenges, drug-induced sexual assaults, suicides, and even the tragic beheading of three children. These emotionally charged situations, coupled with a lack of adequate training in crisis intervention, led to professional burnout. These challenging experiences ignited my passion for raising awareness and providing comprehensive training to others in the field.
The Importance of a Crisis Team
The cornerstone of effective crisis intervention is a well-informed team where each member understands and respects the role of others. Regular training and drills are essential to prepare the team to act swiftly and effectively, reducing chaos and improving outcomes during an actual crisis. It’s crucial to address potential issues and refine strategies before a crisis occurs. Attempting to learn ‘in the eye of the storm’ is simply too late.
Engaging and Equipping Professionals
At Counselor on the Go, our mission is to engage with you and recognize the crucial role you play in crisis intervention. Our training programs are designed to empower you, awakening the hero or angel inside you and equipping you with the tools, skills, and resources needed to serve your clients, school, and community effectively.
Rest assured, our training programs are designed to help you navigate these challenges and ensure you are prepared for whatever crises come your way. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most.