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Armed with that initial training information the Brownwood, Texas, Crisis Trauma Team was formed in 1988-89, and would become one of the first allchaplain teams in the nation and one of the first CISD teams in Texas. Notice I said CISD teams because, in its infancy, our only tool was Critical Incident Stress Debriefing. As the movement grew, so did the tool kit as other interventions were added. These included the defusing process, one-on-one work, demobilizations, and crisis management briefings. The process soon became Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) to better reflect the tools that the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) added. While the Mitchell Model was the benchmark in critical incident debriefings, there have been modifications and even new models developed by others since. My time spent at Ground Zero following 9/11 quickly taught us that modifications and other interventions were urgently needed, especially with on-going incidents. This is why Ventilate and Validate, a brief one-on-one discussion was introduced. It allows the first responder to talk about the basic facts of the incident and enables them to explain how they initially reacted, and then to be validated by the person leading the discussion. These encounters usually closed with some tips for self care. In practice, I usually ask the responder how long it has been since they last called home and if it has been more than eight hours I hand them my cell phone, if operating. Staying in contact with a strong support system is vital. Special Agent James Horn of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the Bureau’s Behavioral Science Unit had also coined a variation of debriefings by taking the Mitchell Model following the Oklahoma City bombing, and moving the training component to the beginning of the process. Others have developed additional specialty models.
Nancy K. Bohl, PhD, a faculty member of the Law Enforcement Wellness Association, Inc. has developed a model specific to law enforcement. Dr. Bohl says, “The most important part of this model is that the officers get to be part of the process of helping each other. Officers become engaged in the conversation, which they really like. The officers feel more comfortable being involved in group conversations about their incident, rather than just responding to questions.” Another contributor to trauma intervention is Dr. Mark D. Lerner, the former president of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, who now heads the Institute of Traumatic Stress. He, along with Ray Shelton, PhD, developed a process called Acute Traumatic Stress Management (ATSM), which is now published in book form. The National Organization of Victim’s Assistance (NOVA) also assembled their own model specifically for victims. But, regardless of the models, or methods, their chief function is to do no further harm. For years, the military has had its own style of Psychological Debriefings (PD) for soldiers and it is more specialized than the civilian models. It addresses pre-deployment, in-theater, and returning home issues. The model is heavily sprinkled with military jargon and calls attention to the battlebuddy concept, promotes resiliency, and learning from the incidents. One of the key differences of the Military Model is that it offers two different types of debriefings. One is time-driven, designed to allow soldiers ever so often to vent about the cumulative trauma that has likely became embedded in their psyche, and the second is event-driven and designed to be conducted within a reasonable time after a specific traumatic event. Those of us who have worked with psychological trauma with both civilians and military over the last several decades have learned that one thing constant is change. Not change for the sake of change, but change for the better, when data points to a more enhanced way to help our fellow man. Dr. Jeffery T. Mitchell, the father of CISD, recently announced some small, cosmetic changes to his Mitchell Models. Although the Mitchell CISM process remains essentially the same, he has accepted some new terminology to use with the ICISF Models. This is a result of working with the United Nations who have now also approved the use of these models.
Want to know more about the American College of Forensic Examiners? Read the definitive history of the world's foremost association for foresnic experts, mental health professionals, and homeland security experts. If you want to understand the rise of ACFEI, this is the only book you'll ever need.
You can access United for Truth here.
Aside from our many strategic alliances and accreditations, here are some more things to keep in mind before choosing a credentialing program, and why the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute and its sister associations are a good choice to make:
For more information about credentials, the associations, or our journals, please visit us:
The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute: www.acfei.com
The American Psychotherapy Association: www.americanpsychotherapy.com
The American Association of Integrative Medicine: www.aaimedicine.com
The American Board for Certification in Homeland Security: www.abchs.com
Membership. Some of The American College of Forensic Examiners’ well-known members and Board members include; Dr. Henry Lee, Dr. Greg Vecchi, Dr. Zhaoming Chen, Dr. Marc Rabinoff, Congressmen Billy Long and Steven King, and Governor Tom Ridge. These individuals, as well as many other not listed here, have helped mold and guide ACFEI to be the prestigious, online, interactive, multimedia publisher that it is today. They have contributed their knowledge and expertise to ACFEI’s online credentialing programs such as the Certified Forensic Physician®, CFP program; the Registered Investigator®, RI®, program; and the Certified Forensic Consultant, CFC® program; to name a few.
ACFEI and all of its associations are continually seeking further validations, alliances, and accreditations in order to offer maximum continuing education benefits to its thousands of members. Sometimes it is our very members who foster these relationships; we encourage you to get involved and share your ideas for future alliances! This is a group of associations that recognize themselves as yours. We invite you to add your expertise to the pool and make it even greater.
Call (800) 423-9737 for more information, or visit acfei.com.
ACFEI is also an approved provider of training by the following professional organizations:
The outside bodies listed above, as well as the many other attest to the fact that the ACFEI has met or exceeded their regulations and standards to be approved providers of training. Organizations that represent medical doctors, accountants, psychologists, attorneys, law enforcement officers, dentists, military personnel, and numerous other professions and specialties would never approve an lesser, unregulated institution to provide training to these important persons.
Please contact either the American College of Forensic Examiners International, The American Board for Certifcation in Homeland Security, The American Association of Integrative Medicine, or the American Psychotherapy Association for more information about their respective programs, accrediting organizations, and educational opportunities:
www.acfei.com; (800) 423-9737
www.abchs.com; (877) 219-2519
www.aaimedicine.com; (877) 718-3053
www.americanpsycotherapy.com; (800) 205-9165
As the editor in chief of The Forensic Examiner, Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association, and Inside Homeland Security (all peer-reviewed and available on newsstands); and for the associations themselves (The American College of Forensic Examiners International, The American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, the American Psychotherapy Association, and the American Association of Integrative Medicine), I have the privilege of working not only with individuals with remarkable talent, credentials, experience, and professionalism here at the ACFEI Headquarters, but also with the thousands of members who renew their memberships year after year to learn, network, and even teach one another.
I am proud to work with the courses and articles conceived and written by dedicated professionals who have made it their living to help heal, defend, serve, protect, and save their fellow citizens from terrorism, criminals, mental illness, disease, and so many other world problems and pandemics. I have reviewed dozens of resumes and curriculum vitae for my peer reviewers and course authors. Their degrees, credentials, and experience speak for themselves of the excellence embraced and exuded by the associations.
Under the umbrella of the American College of Forensic Examiners International, I have reviewed and edited articles that discuss cutting-edge research written with government agents I interviewed in person at Quantico; I have met forensic legends Dr. Cyril Wecht and Dr. Henry Lee (both long-time ACFEI members); and I get to see to completion the modules and coursework that are born of the passion of many prominent individuals from an array of important fields. I know for a fact that the continuing education curricula individuals like these and others help create are forged from impeccable research, training, and consultation. These people are far too intelligent, prestigious, and philanthropic to waste their time with lesser organizations; Dr. Robert O’Block’s ACFEI stands only for legitimacy and professionalism.
What is it that draws so many—nurses, physicians, soldiers, investigators, government employees, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and a sheer multitude of other honorable professions—into the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute fold? Decide for yourself, as thousands wisely did before you:
www.acfei.com
www.abchs.com
www.americanpsychotherapy.com
www.aaimedicine.com
The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute began in 1992; it is still here. Most membership associations rise and fall in less than a decade, but the passion of ACFEI’s founder, Dr. Robert O’Block, and the thousands of reputable people his associations help each year, has fueled continued growth since ACFEI’s inception nearly two decades ago.
As we continually improve our continuing education coursework, Web presence, and printed publications, that growth is bound to continue. The fields in which our members work, study, and fight—homeland security, all areas of forensics, integrative medicine, and psychotherapy—are not going anywhere anytime soon, and are dynamic and ever evolving. When you join the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, the American Association for Integrative Medicine, the American Psychotherapy Association, or the tried-and-true American College of Forensic Examiners Institute, you will see that we rise above the competition in offering continuing education excellence. Dr. Robert O’Block has created a unique opportunity for you to meet like-minded professionals to network, learn, and teach one another and the world at large.
To learn more about each of these associations, please come see us:
The American College of Forensic Examiners: www.acfei.com
The American Board for Certification in Homeland Security: www.abchs.com
The American Association of Integrative Medicine: www.aaim.com
The American Psychotherapy Association: www.americanpsychotherapy.com
The American College of Forensic Examiners International began in 1992; it is still here. Most membership associations rise and fall in less than a decade, but the passion of ACFEI’s founder, Dr. Robert O’Block, and the thousands of reputable people his associations help each year, has fueled continued growth since ACFEI’s inception nearly two decades ago.
As we continually improve our continuing education coursework, Web presence, and printed publications, that growth is bound to continue. The fields in which our members work, study, and fight are not going anywhere anytime soon, and are dynamic and ever evolving. When you join the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, the American Association for Integrative Medicine, the American Psychotherapy Association, or the tried-and-true American College of Forensic Examiners Institute, you will see that we rise above the competition in offering continuing education excellence. Dr. Robert O’Block has created a unique opportunity for you to meet like-minded professionals to network, learn, and teach one another and the world at large.
To learn more, please visit www.acfei.com.
What is it that draws so many—nurses, physicians, soldiers, investigators, government employees, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, forensic engineers, and a sheer multitude of other honorable professions—into the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute fold? Let me share with you just a few of the numerous reasons so you can better decide for yourself, as thousands wisely did before you:
Accreditation. The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute is an approved provider of continuing education by the following:
Continuing education alignments. In addition to the several accreditations above, we are also proud to inform you that:
To learn more, visit www.acfei.com
Copyright ©2009
ABFET,
ACFEI,
and ABCHS. All rights reserved. Dr. Robert O'Block, Founder, CEO, and Publisher.
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