Why Every Therapist Needs Crisis Response Training—Before the Next Disaster Hits
In the aftermath of a wildfire that devastated a small California community, local therapists found themselves overwhelmed. They had the heart to help but lacked the specific protocols needed for mass trauma response. Many later admitted they felt unprepared and worried they might have inadvertently caused harm despite their best intentions.
This scenario plays out repeatedly across the country—and it doesn’t have to be this way.
As natural disasters, mass violence incidents, and community tragedies increase in frequency and intensity, mental health professionals often find themselves on the front lines without adequate preparation. Standard clinical training simply doesn’t equip therapists with the specialized knowledge needed for disaster response scenarios.
The Rising Need for Disaster Mental Health Preparedness
The statistics tell a sobering story. The frequency of natural disasters has increased by nearly 35% over the past decade. Mass violence incidents continue to devastate communities, while humanitarian crises unfold globally at an alarming rate. In these critical moments, mental health support isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential.
Yet most therapists receive minimal, if any, training in disaster response protocols during their education. This gap between the rising need and available skilled responders creates a critical vulnerability in our communities’ resilience.
“I’ll wait until a disaster happens in my area before getting trained,” some therapists reason. This common misconception overlooks a crucial truth: effective disaster mental health response requires preparation before the crisis hits. When communities are reeling from tragedy, that’s not the time to be learning new protocols or questioning your approach.
What Makes Trauma-Informed Disaster Response Different?
Traditional therapeutic approaches designed for weekly office visits aren’t always applicable in crisis situations. Trauma-informed disaster response recognizes the unique neurobiological impacts of mass trauma and employs specialized interventions designed for:
- Rapid stabilization during acute stress
- Scalable interventions that can help many people quickly
- Protocols that prevent trauma from becoming entrenched
- Techniques accessible to survivors in heightened states of distress
These approaches differ significantly from standard clinical work, requiring specific training and practice to implement effectively.
The ASSYST Procedure: A Game-Changer for Crisis Response
At the heart of effective crisis response lies the ASSYST procedure—a powerful protocol that offers immediate stabilization and support for individuals experiencing acute trauma reactions. This evidence-based approach provides a structured framework that therapists can quickly deploy in chaotic disaster environments.
The ASSYST procedure stands out because:
- It’s accessible to both EMDR-trained and non-EMDR clinicians
- It can be implemented in group settings, maximizing reach
- It addresses immediate nervous system dysregulation
- It helps prevent the development of PTSD and other trauma-related disorders
- It’s portable and requires minimal resources
As one crisis response trainer notes, “The ASSYST procedure gives therapists a concrete way to help when everything around them feels overwhelming. It’s like having a compass in a storm.”
Debunking Common Myths About Crisis Response Training
“I’m not qualified enough.”
Many therapists hesitate to pursue EMDR crisis response training because they believe they need extensive specialized experience. The reality is that most mental health professionals already possess the foundational skills necessary. Crisis response training builds upon your existing expertise, adding specific protocols and approaches designed for disaster contexts.
“It’s too advanced for my practice.”
Trauma-informed disaster response techniques like the ASSYST procedure are specifically designed to be accessible and practical. They’re intended to be straightforward enough to implement under stress while remaining powerful enough to make a meaningful difference.
“I don’t work in disaster zones.”
The truth is that community tragedies can happen anywhere. Schools, workplaces, houses of worship, and neighborhoods can all experience catastrophic events requiring mental health support. Being prepared doesn’t mean you need to join international relief efforts (though you could)—it means being ready when your own community needs you.
What You’ll Learn in Comprehensive EMDR Crisis Response Training
Scaling Up’s free Crisis Response Preparedness package offers thorough training that equips therapists with essential skills, including:
- Psychological first aid principles adapted for mass trauma
- Early intervention techniques that prevent trauma entrenchment
- Nervous system regulation strategies for highly distressed individuals
- The complete ASSYST procedure for individual and group settings
- Cultural considerations in disaster response
- Self-care protocols for responders
- Ethical considerations specific to crisis work
This comprehensive approach ensures that graduates feel confident and competent when called upon to serve during critical incidents.
Who Benefits from Disaster Mental Health Preparedness?
The skills gained through trauma-informed disaster response training serve various professional contexts:
- School-based therapists who may need to respond to school tragedies or community disasters affecting students
- Community mental health professionals working in vulnerable areas
- Private practitioners seeking to volunteer during crises
- Therapists working with first responders who need to understand the unique challenges of crisis work
- Clinicians interested in humanitarian deployment domestically or internationally
Perhaps most importantly, these skills benefit the communities you serve by ensuring that when disaster strikes, qualified help is available.
Scaling Up: Making Crisis Response Training Accessible
The team at Scaling Up understands the urgent need for more trained responders. Their crisis response curriculum makes these vital skills accessible to a broader range of professionals, ensuring that communities have access to qualified help when they need it most.
“We’ve designed our training to be rigorous yet accessible,” explains the Scaling Up team. “The goal isn’t just to train a few specialists—it’s to create a network of prepared professionals who can make a real difference in how communities recover from disaster.”
The Time to Prepare Is Now
The next community tragedy won’t announce itself in advance. The question isn’t if you’ll encounter individuals affected by disaster or crisis—it’s when. And when that moment comes, having the right training will make all the difference.
As one EMDR crisis response training graduate reflected, “I went from feeling helpless in the face of community trauma to knowing exactly how to show up and what to do. That confidence doesn’t just benefit me—it benefits everyone I serve.”
👉 Visit Scaling Up’s Crisis Response Preparedness page to enroll or learn more about how you can become part of the solution before the next disaster strikes.
Note: The free Crisis Response Preparedness package is only the first step. We highly recommend you follow up with receiving our ASSYST Training or EMDR GAP Trainings.
Remember: The best time to get trained in disaster mental health response was yesterday. The next best time is today.