Overview
This self-paced curriculum provides an evidenced based, standardized set of skills to help individual crisis specialists ensure competency in crisis response. The four-part course contains modules on crisis work, understanding the experiences of other people, self-harm and harm to others, and crisis worker ethics and legal considerations. The Crisis Specialist Training & Certification Course provides a standardized set of understandings and opportunities to practice basic crisis specialist skills and more advanced skills. This course is designed for current and aspiring crisis specialists.
Training Options
Crisis Specialist Training & Certification
Member: $119
Non-member: $179
Click Here to Purchase this On-Demand Course
Bulk Discount
10+ applicants 10% off
Member: $107/person
Non-Member: $161/person
Crisis Specialist Recertification
Member: $79
Non-Member: $99
If you would like to register a group of individuals for the Crisis Specialist Course, complete the Training Request Form.
Maintaining the Certification
To maintain AAS Crisis Specialist Certification, recertification must take place every 3 years. Recertification requisites:
- Complete 40 hours of crisis or mental health continuing education since initial certification.
Complete the Crisis Specialist Recertification Application and upload documentation of 40 hours of completed training to the Sharepoint link provided in question 8. Your application will be reviewed within two weeks, followed by an invoice for payment. A renewed Crisis Specialist Certification will be provided via email after both the application and payment have been processed.
Training questions should be directed to Training@suicidology.org.
Continuing Education
CE credits may be earned for successful completion of the workshop component of the certification. Participants can earn 2.5 credits.
APA: The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. AAS maintains responsibility for the program and its content.
About CSC
This course is designed for current and aspiring crisis specialists. The course begins by grounding crisis specialists in crisis theory. Building support skills along the way, candidates will be introduced to experiences callers may have, including suicidal thoughts, trauma, extreme states, altered realities, self-injury, and using substances. Candidates will learn screening and assessment strategies for substance use, suicide, and harm to others. These skills are foundational to crisis work and good decision-making in crisis situations. A thorough understanding of suicide, suicide assessment, and safety planning are central to the course, and candidates will leave with multiple assessment methods and a nuanced understanding of state and static risk for suicide. Following skill development, the certification course focuses on ethical and legal issues in crisis services, including perspectives that reframe burnout, respect autonomy, dignity, voice, and choice, and place people we serve at the center of our work.
- Candidates will be able to articulate multiple frameworks for supporting people in crisis.
- Candidates will be able to assess clients for suicide risk.
- Candidates will be able to identify crisis specialist ethics.
For additional information or questions email Training@suicidology.org.