Congratulations on your decision to make this investment in your training, and in your choice to help First Responders in the counseling setting. 

We support First Responders in everything they do for others, and we know that they experience repeated trauma on the job, which can affect them professionally and personally, physically and mentally / emotionally.  Not just every counselor is right for a First Responder -- they need specialty trained counselors who "get" them. You're about to become one of those counselors. 

Course Description: The Cultural Competency for the First Responder Counselor training course provides counselors with a detailed look into the culture of First Responders and Law Enforcement Officers. Through this training course, counselors will learn about the unique culture, and trauma, of this population so as to be a more effective counselor with responder clients.

Goals & Objectives of the Training Course:
1) Participants will be able to recognize the differences between a civilian client and a responder client, and what behaviors are considered cultural norms for responders.
2) Participants will be able to define trauma and explain how responders experience trauma on the job.
3) Participants will be able to outline the many trauma responses experienced as the result of a responder career, as well as negative & positive coping skills used by responders.
4) Participants will gain an up-close perspective and understanding of the variety of incidents a responder manages as part of the career, and how those incidents may affect a responder's mental health.
5) Participants will be able to identify suicidal ideation of a responder and conduct a crisis intervention using the steps outlined in the training course.
6) Participants will understand vicarious trauma and list the possible effects & responses, and will gain an understanding of the importance of self-care, for the responder as well as the counselor.
7) Participants will develop a thorough understanding of holistic health and its benefit to responders and their overall well-being.

Here's some of what you will learn in the "Cultural Competency for the First Responder Counselor" training course:

1) Difficult stories - which will prepare you for those you will hear in counseling sessions;

2) The real goal(s) of working with First Responders;

3) The importance of trust & confidentiality

4) Ethics and Responsibilities of a First Responder counselor

5) An In-Depth Look at Responder Culture

6) Escapist Behaviors & Negative Coping Skills

7) Relationships of First Responders / Family

8) The Things They See, Hear, Feel, Smell, Taste, etc.

9) An In-Depth Look at Trauma

10)  The Triad of Physical, Mental & Emotional Health

11) Behavioral Health Concerns in First Responders

12) Compassion Fatigue of a Responder and a First Responder counselor

13) Burnout of a Responder and a First Responder counselor

14) Suicide - In Detail & Depth

15) Counselor Self-Care

16) Reporting vs. Non-Reporting

17) When to Refer / Do's & Don't's of a First Responder counselor

18) The Ride-Along & First-Hand Experience

19) Treatment options for a Responder

20) Resources and Providers

21) The Effects of Meditation & Yoga on Responders

22) Joining and Building the Network of Support

23) Accusations, Investigations and Public Criticism

24) A Holistically Healthy Responder (Financial, Nutritional, Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Mental, Social, Relational)

25) A Counselor’s Ongoing Relationship With a Responder for New Incidents

26) Changing the Culture of First Responder Mental Health

27) Line of Duty Death vs. Responder Suicide

The training content is released gradually, a session at a time, over the first 50 days of the 120 day access. Once you reach Day 50, you will see that you have access to everything (Days 1-50) and you will continue to have access to all of this content through the end of your 120-day access period. It is highly recommended that you view each post more than once, taking the time to learn new things and process new thoughts each time. Much like when you watch a movie twice and see things the 2nd time that you did not notice the first, you may learn something different each time you review a post. We estimate the time to complete all of the training content, PLUS the homework assignments and assessments will be approximately 50 hours.

Each new post will have a "Downloadable Worksheet" - these accumulate to form your program workbook and what you can use later as a reference manual in your office. Because you only have access to the online classroom for 120 days, we recommend you take substantial and extensive notes, a process which also helps you learn and retain the information.

Each section includes a quiz, which helps you to see how much you're learning and also helps reiterate the material for better retention.

About Your Instructor

Interactive Bio Here

Ms. Morgan is the founder and Director of Academy Hour (www.academyhour.com), a training provider offering mental health & leadership courses to law enforcement, first response teams and public safety personnel. She has earned a Master's degree in Counseling, and holds a Bachelor's of Science in Behavioral Sciences. She previously served as the Training Officer for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Ms. Morgan is TECC-LEO (Tactical Emergency Casualty Care-LEO) certified, and a member of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association.

Ms. Morgan authors therapy resource workbooks & training materials, available on Amazon. She serves as a member of the International Public Safety Association's Mental Health Committee, and as a subject matter expert and presenter of leadership & mental health training sessions for the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training, the International Public Safety Association and the Justice Clearinghouse. Ms. Morgan also serves as a curriculum developer and instructor of mental health courses for the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training in Oklahoma. Ms. Morgan is a certified trainer for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and is trained as a QPR (Question Persuade Refer) trainer as well as a Crisis Prevention Institute Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention trainer. Additionally, she holds a Life Coach certification, is Oklahoma Supreme Court certified as a civil mediator, and she has achieved Mensa membership status.  Ms. Morgan has 3 grown kids, and a granddaughter. 

If you choose to use this training program toward the Certified First Responder Counselor Certification program, the Exam will have 100 multiple-choice, True/False, and fill-in-the-blank questions, covering all parts of the training program. 

You may ask questions at any time by sending an email to: [email protected]. 

Any counselor may participate in this training program. However, only fully and independent licensed counselors/ therapists may take the CFRC Examination and earn the CFRC credentials.  If you are not a counselor, or if you are still under supervision, etc., you may take the Certified First Responder Associate Exam instead, and the training program requirement for that is the Cultural Competency for the First Responder Associate training course.

If you would like to enroll in this course but make 4 payments of $150 instead of the 1 payment, CLICK HERE.

You will not be able to take the CFRC Certification Exam until all training course payments are made.

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