Continuing & Professional Studies, Palo Alto University

This training equips youth-serving professionals with the tools to recognize, de-escalate, and respond to behavioral and emotional crises among teens in community settings. Through a structured, real-world approach, participants will learn to identify early warning signs of stress and escalation, apply effective de-escalation techniques, and engage in post-crisis support strategies that prioritize safety, trust, and recovery.

Key focus areas include:

• Recognizing stress escalation and understanding the crisis cycle
• De-escalation techniques grounded in safety, communication, and empathy
• Conflict resolution skills and trauma-informed approaches
• Mental health awareness, self-care, and peer support practices
• Emergency response protocols, including preparedness, response, and recovery
• Resource knowledge to connect youth with appropriate services

Case-based learning supports application of concepts, including a detailed scenario involving a youth in crisis and reflection prompts to enhance situational awareness, preparedness, and professional response.

This program is ideal for community center staff, mentors, after-school facilitators, and others working directly with adolescents in dynamic, high-contact environments.