Stress First Aid for Behavioral Health Providers: Recognizing, Responding to, and Mitigating Stress Injury

20 Nov 2026

Description


Stress First Aid (SFA) for Behavioral Health Providers is a three-hour interactive training designed to strengthen participants’ ability to recognize and respond to stress reactions and stress injuries in themselves, their colleagues, and the populations they support. Using the Stress Continuum Model and the seven core actions of Stress First Aid - Check, Coordinate, Cover, Calm, Connect, Competence, and Confidence, participants will explore practical strategies for identifying changes in functioning, providing timely support, and connecting individuals with additional resources when needed. Through behavioral health–focused case scenarios, guided discussion, and interactive application exercises, participants will practice selecting appropriate Stress First Aid interventions while maintaining professional boundaries and recognizing when concerns exceed the scope of peer support. The course also emphasizes the application of SFA principles to provider well-being, team resilience, and supportive workplace cultures.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this presentation, participants will:

  1. Describe the purpose and principles of Stress First Aid and explain its relevance to behavioral health professionals.

  2. Differentiate among Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red zones of the Stress Continuum Model using observable indicators of stress and changes in functioning.

  3. Identify and describe the seven core Stress First Aid actions: Check, Coordinate, Cover, Calm, Connect, Competence, and Confidence.

  4. Select appropriate Stress First Aid actions based on the needs and circumstances presented in behavioral health–specific scenarios.

  5. Differentiate Stress First Aid from psychotherapy, formal clinical assessment, crisis intervention, and other professional treatment services.

  6. Recognize indicators that an individual's needs exceed the scope of Stress First Aid and identify when additional clinical, organizational, or emergency support is warranted.

  7. Apply Stress First Aid principles to support personal well-being, peer support, team resilience, and healthy functioning within behavioral health environments.

Presented by:

Kathleen M. Franco, TSgt, NVANG

Continuing Education Units:

2 CEUs

Certification Board Information

This training is approved for continuing education units by the boards listed here. Additional specifications can be found below.


NAADAC (The Association for Addiction Professionals)

This course has been approved by CASAT, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for the below # of CEUs. NAADAC Provider #98165. CASAT is responsible for all aspects of its programming.

CEUs: 2

Skills Groups

This course applies to the following Client Skill Groups as defined by NAADAC:

  • Counseling Services

NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors)

CASAT has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6492. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CASAT is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. (Continuing education hours and CEU's are synonymous for purposes of issuing CEU's from CASAT Learning)

Qualifies for NBCC Credit: Yes

NCB (Nevada Certification Board)

This course is approved by the Nevada Certification Board for the following professional certifications:

  • Certified Community Health Workers (CHW)

  • Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS)

  • Birth Doula Certification

  • Peer Recovery and Support Specialist Certification and PRSS Supervisors (PRSS(-S))

  • Family Peer Support Specialist and FPSS Supervisors (FPSS(-S))

Presentation materials are not for reproduction or distribution without specific written authorization. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in our courses are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of CASAT.

Details

Date Fri, Nov 20 2026 9:00 am GMT-8 (America/Los_Angeles)
End Date Fri, Nov 20 2026 11:00 am GMT-8 (America/Los_Angeles)
Registration Start Date Thu, Sept 10 2026 12:00 am GMT-7 (America/Los_Angeles)
Event Time Zone PDT
Capacity 50
Spots Available 50
Cut Off Date Mon, Nov 23 2026 12:00 am GMT-8 (America/Los_Angeles)
Individual Price 52.00 Regular
$41.60 Licensed or Certified Professional
$26.00 Student/Intern/Retired/Military
$52 50