Job

Aid

Crisis Counseling Assistance 

and Training Program (CCP) 

Affix 1”x25/8” Labelwith Information Here 

STRESS MANAGEMENT 

Typical stressors: 

• Repeatedly hearing survivors’ stories 

• Approaching survivors who may reject help 

• Feeling overwhelmed by the sadness of others 

• Feeling helpless to alleviate the pain of others 

• Working long hours 

• Personal experience with the disaster 

Warning signs of excessive stress: 

• You cannot shake distressing images from your mind. 

• You experience increased substance use or abuse. 

• You are excessively irritable and impatient. 

• You exhibit other serious or severe reactions. 

Manage stress through: 

• Self-awareness. 

• Managing workload. 

• Balanced lifestyle. 

• Stress-reduction techniques. 

• Feeling competent and confident about work. 

• Talking with your supervisor or team leader. 

QUESTIONS? 

If you would like to know more about the CCP, its eligibility 

criteria, and its application requirements, please contact the 

SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC). 

SAMHSA DTAC 

4350 East West Highway 

Suite 1100 

Bethesda, MD 20814 

Toll-Free: 1-800-308-3515 

Fax: 240-744-7005 

E-Mail: dtac@samhsa.hhs.gov 

http://www.samhsa.gov/dtac 
 

OUTREACH STRATEGIES 

Ask yourself the following: 

•	 Who	is	the	gatekeeper	for	this	specific	community?		

(There	could	be	several.)

•	 What	are	the	target	populations?	(Locate	special	

populations.)

•	 Where	are	people	in	the	community	gathering?		

(Be	practical—grocery	stores,	local	“hot	spots.”)

•	 How	will	natural	support	systems	be	contacted?		

(e.g.,	schools,	faith-based	organizations)

•	 What	other	organizations	are	doing	outreach?		

(Collaborate;	do	not	reinvent	the	wheel.)

CRISIS COUNSELING SKILLS 

Working with individuals 

Phase	of	Visit Interventions	and	Skills Tools	for	Survivors

Opening Engagement

Introductions

Opening	Skills

Calming

Screening

Information	Gathering

Identification	of	Needs

Self-Calming

Middle Emotional	Support

Education

Nonverbal	Attending

Normalizing	Reactions

Empathy

Reflecting	Feelings

Reframing/Helpful	Thinking

Paraphrasing

Practical	Assistance

Prioritizing	Needs

Goal	Setting

Social	Support

Coping	Skills

Relaxation	Techniques

Stress	Management

Positive	Activity	Scheduling

Closing Screening

Referral (if	needed)

Followup	(if	needed)

Homework	and	Next	Steps

Working with groups: 

•	 Ensure	individuals	are	ready	for	the	group	process.

•	 Facilitate	the	exchange	of	information.

•	 Foster	new	ways	of	adapting	and	coping.

•	 Provide	education	and	practical	assistance.

•	 Increase	the	social	support	network.

Working with communities: 

•	 Establish	and	maintain	contact	with	community	groups	

and	leaders.

•	 Participate	in	community	gatherings	and	rituals	by	 

maintaining	a	compassionate	presence. 

•	 Provide	education	on	disaster	reactions,	coping	strategies	

and	disaster	relief	resources.

•	 Use	public	education	and	media	messaging	to	provide	

information.

BE AWARE 

Do: 

•	 Be	respectful	and	empathetic.

•	 Provide	a	supportive	presence.

•	 Acknowledge	that	this	type	of	stress	can	take	time	to	

resolve.

•	 Reflect	that	you	have	heard	them	correctly.

•	 Show	interest,	attention,	and	care.

•	 Use	appropriate	body	language.

•	 Be	sensitive	to	cultural	differences.

Don’t: 

•	 Rush	to	tell	them	they	will	be	okay	or	should	just	“get

over	it.”

•	 Give	advice;	ask	what	works	for	them	instead.

•	 Be	insensitive	or	judgmental.

•	 Change,	modify,	or	add	to	what	they	are	saying

TOOLS FOR SURVIVORS 

Promote self-reliance by teaching the following: 

Goal-setting tools

•	 Identify	and	prioritize	needs.

•	 Develop	a	plan	of	action	to	address	needs.

•	 Follow	through,	and	remain	solution	focused.

Social support tools

•	 Identify	primary	or	familial	supports.

•	 Reach	out	to	use	available	supports.

•	 Identify	options	when	support	is	not	working.

Coping tools

•	 Positive	activity	scheduling

•	 Helpful	thinking

•	 Stress	management

Resilience building tools

•	 Maintain	a	positive	self-image	and	outlook.

•	 Utilize	effective	communication	skills.

•	 Manage	strong	feelings	and	impulses.

•	 Focus	on	finding	solutions.

•	 Make	realistic	plans,	and	carry	them	out.

EMERGENCY REFERRALS 

Call your team leader immediately if: 

•	 Someone	has	the	intent	or	means	to	harm	self	or	others.

•	 Functioning	is	so	poor	that	person’s	(or	dependent’s)	safety	

is	in	danger.

•	 Excessive	substance	use	is	placing	the	person	or	others	at	

risk.

•	 A	child’s	safety	or	health	is	at	risk.

•	 The	person	exhibits	severe	paranoia,	delusions,	or	 

hallucinations. 

When in doubt, call 911