G4 - Body Based Interventions: The Non-verbal De-escalation

Verbal de-escalation is an outstanding tool police officers and clinicians have at their disposal when responding to individuals in crisis within the community. However, how do we de-escalate an individual that is too dysregulated to comprehend words? When a person becomes highly escalated, their brain resorts to primal functioning. During this time, verbal de-escalation is no longer productive. The use of body based interventions can increase functioning for an individual in crisis, increases safety for all on scene, and increases the probability of a positive outcome and interaction. The goal of body based interventions is to reregulate an individual’s nervous system so verbal de-escalation can resume.C.O.R.E. (Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement) is a behavioral health co-responder team consisting of a police officer, a mental health clinician and a paramedic. CORE responds to behavioral health related calls for service. CORE diverts those in crisis from emergency departments and the criminal justice system by providing de-escalation, skill building, relationship building and resource navigation. Over the years, CORE has come to realize verbal de-escalation is not always possible or not always successful. In these circumstances, CORE turns to body based interventions.

*Profession Specific CEs:

This presentation is approved for 1.0 CE Credits by The Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency, Inc. (AACMHA) as an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.

This presentation is approved for 1 PDH from EAPA- Employee Assistance Professionals Association.

This presentation is approved for ALS NCCP Individual 1.0 Hours by Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems' Office of EMS Clinician Services.

This presentation is approved for BLS-L (Local Option) 1.0 Hours by Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems' Office of EMS Clinician Services.

1 CE Credits for NAADAC, This course has been approved by International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider # 87914, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), is responsible for all aspects of the programing.

*Review ICISF World Congress 17 CE website page for additional requirements.