Psychological First Aid (PFA) & Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR)

Practical Approaches to Psychological First Aid (PFA) & Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR): Supporting Survivors of Natural Disasters and Trauma

Course Overview:

This course provides introduction training for mental health therapists and helpers on the application of Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) to support individuals affected by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Helene, and other trauma-related incidents.

Participants will learn about evidence-based strategies for immediate crisis intervention and long-term psychological support. The training also includes an 8-session support group outline and additional practical tools for ongoing care.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Define the key principles and components of Psychological First Aid (PFA).

2. Demonstrate how to apply PFA techniques in acute trauma and disaster scenarios.

3. Outline the structure and techniques of Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR).

4. Assess survivors' psychological needs at different stages of recovery, from immediate crisis to long-term rehabilitation.

5. Develop and implement an 8-session support group format tailored to survivors of natural disasters.

6. Use practical tools, including worksheets and activities, to promote coping and resilience in disaster survivors.

Program Goals:

• Immediate Support: Introduce therapists to the tools for providing immediate psychological support to individuals in crisis following a natural disaster.

• Long-Term Recovery: Facilitate knowledge of strategies for helping survivors navigate long-term recovery, coping, and resilience building.

• Group Facilitation: Provide therapists with a structured support group format to foster community healing and promote mental health recovery for disaster survivors.

• Practical Application: Offer actionable tools, worksheets, and exercises to integrate PFA and SPR into daily clinical practice.

Outline of Course Content:

Module 1: Introduction to Psychological First Aid (PFA)

• Overview of PFA as an evidence-based intervention

• Core principles: Safety, calming, self-efficacy, connectedness, hope

• Step-by-step PFA process: Contact and engagement, stabilization, practical assistance, connection with social supports, information on coping

• Case Example: Immediate intervention with a flood survivor in crisis

Module 2: Understanding Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR)

• Introduction to SPR as a long-term psychological recovery approach

• Key Skills: Problem-solving, promoting positive activities, managing distress, helpful thinking, rebuilding social connections

• Differences between PFA and SPR in therapeutic intervention

• Case Example: SPR techniques applied at 3-6 months post-disaster

Worksheet Activity:
Developing a problem-solving plan with a client

Module 3: The 8-Session Support Group Format

• Session 1: Introduction & Grounding Techniques
  Teaching participants grounding techniques for immediate emotional regulation.

• Session 2: Understanding Stress & Trauma Responses
  Education on common emotional and psychological responses to trauma.

• Session 3: Problem-Solving & Empowerment
  Teaching clients to identify and solve everyday problems post-disaster.

• Session 4: Coping with Loss & Grief
  Strategies for managing grief and loss after a disaster.

• Session 5: Building Resilience & Reconnection
  Techniques for fostering resilience and rebuilding social connections.

• Session 6: Helpful Thinking & Emotional Management
  Cognitive restructuring techniques to address distressing thoughts.

• Session 7: Planning for the Future
  Helping clients develop future-focused coping strategies and life planning.

• Session 8: Review & Closing
  Assessing progress and developing long-term self-care plans.

Worksheets:
Downloadable PDFs with exercises and activities for each session

Join me for a free webinar on Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) to learn practical, evidence-based strategies for supporting those impacted by Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters.

Sign up today to access the recording and an eBook with an 8-week support group outline and worksheets. Let’s come together and make a real difference in our community’s healing!

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