De-escalation Training

The traditional goal of de-escalation “calming the patron” often has a dominant-submissive connotation but the contemporary goal is to “help the patron calm themselves” and is seen as a more collaborative technique.  The act of verbally de-escalating a person is therefore seen as a form of helping in which the patron is enabled to rapidly develop his own internal locus of control.  This presentation will help teach approaches that will result in many benefits over traditional procedures.  The patron spiraling into agitation can be calmed by the staff person in a benign manner while empowering the patron to stay in control and building trust with those in the immediate environment.  This presentation will help teach staff to assist patrons to confidently seek help earlier in the future and avoid subsequent episodes of agitation altogether.