When Things Seem Out of Control: Crisis Prevention Planning with Dysregulated Youth

Helping youth identify their trauma reactions and prevent episodes of emotional and behavioral dysregulation is an important part of providing care that is truly trauma-informed. "Crisis Prevention Planning" is a process where caregivers collaborate with youth to plan for times when they become dysregulated. It involves efforts to develop a clear picture of the situations and stimuli that tend to trigger traumatic memories and episodes of intrusive re-experiencing, and efforts to identify the maladaptive coping behaviors the youth typically engages in. Crisis Prevention plans include information to help caregivers and youth pick up on the warning signs that precede these behaviors, and identify ways a young person can soothe or distract themselves when they are having trouble regulating. Crisis Prevention Plans help caregivers anticipate what they can do that is likely to be helpful and what is not helpful when the youth becomes dysregulated. Use of these plans has been an effective strategy for decreasing use of seclusion and restraint in residential care settings. This workshop will provide tools for crisis prevention planning with youth, including a template for a safety plan developed for youth in Hawaii.

Presenters: Lesley Slavin Ph.D.; Chief Psychologist

Earn 2 Continuing Education Credit Hours!