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WHY ATTEND?

The 11th World Congress on Stress, Trauma and Coping is the premier forum for multidisciplinary exchange of ideas and information among those who provide crisis intervention & disaster mental health services. It is also ICISF’s largest training event, held once every two years.

Be among the 800 professionals from around the world and across the U.S. who will be in Baltimore for nearly 90 presentations exploring the evolving field of crisis intervention. You’ll:

• learn about innovative programs and new research,
• benefit from the lessons others have learned, and
• be a part of the discussion of the challenges and opportunities for the future

The 11th World Congress will provide an unparalleled opportunity to examine:

• what works
• what’s evidence-based &
• the challenges and opportunities for the future

Sessions during the 11th World Congress have been designed to:

• provoke critical thinking
• challenge current convention
• offer innovative ideas and insights &
• fully explore the many applications of critical incident response in various industries, settings and situations

For a complete Program Overview, click here.

 

WHAT’S NEW & NOTEABLE AT THE 11TH WORLD CONGRESS?

Keynote Presentations by:

Richard Serino
Deputy Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Building the Team for Resilience
FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino will discuss FEMA’s team approach to catastrophic preparedness, planning, and response, including the importance of engaging the public as part of the team before, during, and after disaster strikes.

 

First Officer Jeff Skiles
Co-pilot of the “Miracle on the Hudson” flight
Crisis Management at 3200 Feet
When you’re a pilot and both your engines fail over the largest city in America, you must act quickly and independently, but you must also trust in the system that has trained you and prepared you to handle such crisis moments.

James T. Reese, PhD, FAAETS, DPCP
Author, Lecturer, Consultant; Leadership, Stress Management & Violence expert
Start Thinking about What You’re Thinking about!
Blending wit and wisdom, Dr. Reese notes that each of us becomes a product of our thoughts. Taking audiences to new levels of awareness, he explains how clear-headed thoughts and emotions enable us to accomplish the most good for the most people. Open your mind; inventory your thoughts. Start thinking about what you’re thinking about!

Visit the Plenary Presentations page for details.

Don’t Miss These & Other Pre-Congress Workshop offerings:

The Bulletproof Mind
LT. COL. Dave Grossman
Wednesday, February 23
To do, for the mind and spirit, what body armor does for the torso.
Lt. Col. Grossman is the author of On Killing and On Combat, and is one of the nation’s leading law enforcement, school and mental health trainers. His presentation will include, among other topics, the incontrovertible evidence that: a) debriefings work, b) debriefings have been used throughout history, and c) debriefings are irrefutably essential to the well-being of individuals who have experienced traumatic events.

Workplace Violence: What to Do If It Happens to You
James T. Reese, PhD, FAAETS, DPCP and Jamie R. Baker, AAETS, NCCM, BCSM
Wednesday, February 23
Learn criminal profiling and behavioral assessment skills. Recognize the necessary ingredients for violence and evaluate responses to violence. Identify human issues surrounding violence; know the most significant predictor of violence; and distinguish threats from risks.

Ethics-Based Leadership: Leading for a Change
James T. Reese, PhD, FAAETS, DPCP and Jamie R. Baker, AAETS, NCCM, BCSM
Thursday, February 24
Ethics are the core ingredients in leadership. Learn top characteristics of leaders; why decisions fail; and enemies of effective leadership. Learn about your “moral compass” and application of ethics in decision making. Today’s leaders must place influence before power; people before product.

NEW ICISF WORKSHOP, offered for 1st time
Family Psychological First Aid & Crisis Intervention
Lynn Ewing, MA, LPC
Wednesday, February 23 & Thursday, February 24
Disaster and crisis events can serve as both causes and symptoms of family distress. This workshop focuses on services to the family unit in crisis and disaster. Strategies for assessment, intervention, and coping will be presented. Family PFA, Crisis Intervention, and Family CISM will be reviewed.

Visit the Education section to review all Pre-Congress and Main Congress educational offerings.

New Events, Meetings & Activities:

• New Friday Lunch Discussion program – moderated discussion on the current and evolving challenges participants’ CISM teams are facing. Our panel, with a combined 181 years of broad CISM experience, will join with program participants to weigh in on solutions. (Events section)
• Participate in a Research Project (Events section)
• Fabulous ’50s Party – Dinner & Silent Auction (Events section)
• Learn Steps to Becoming an ICISF Approved Instructor (Events section, Special Meetings)
• Learn About ATSS Certification (Events section, Special Meetings)
  

For an expanded list of Program Highlights, click here.

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Anyone interested in learning more about comprehensive crisis intervention and peer support will benefit from attending the 11th World Congress on Stress, Trauma & Coping. The World Congress brings together people from a wide variety of professions and practice settings who have an interest in helping others prepare for or deal with the aftereffects of traumatic or critical incidents.

• Disaster & first response support agencies
• Law-enforcement/corrections/security professionals
• Fire Fighters/EMTs/Paramedics
• Communications/dispatch personnel
• Military personnel & support agencies
• Homeland security personnel
• Emergency operations administrators/managers
• Healthcare professionals & administrators
• Educators/school staff/administrators
• Psychiatrists/Psychologists/Social workers/Counselors
• Grief counselors
• Suicidologists
• Employee assistance professionals
• Chaplains/clergy/faith-based providers
• Humanitarian Aid Workers
• Commercial & industrial organization employees
• Airline & other transportation industry personnel
• Employee representative organizations
• Victim’s advocates
• Risk Managers

The World Congress offers presentations appropriate for those just beginning their exploration of the field of crisis intervention, as well as those already serving on CISM or crisis intervention teams.