A crisis worker is a social worker who works in a narrower field. They specialize in cases that have to do with severe mental health issues as well as cases that have to do with substances that were abused. Their main priority is to treat people who have issues to do with their mental health, emotional trauma, substance addictions (i.e., alcohol, opioids, and other addictive drugs). The crisis worker will be in charge of performing tasks such as individual therapy, group therapy sessions, crisis intervention, managing the cases, advocating for people who are dealing with any of these issues, and teaching them how to grow past the issue so they can live fulfilling lives not trapped to addictions and mental or emotional issues.

So, what type of education does one need to become a crisis worker?

1. Bachelor degree in social work
Crisis worker programs vary in name from school to school, so when you are looking at a college to apply too you should look at programs with names like clinical or medical social work, a regular social work program, or something to that effect. You will find these types of degrees at most 4-year degree colleges, and if you do not know what to look for, a guidance counselor can help you pick out the right crisis worker programs for you. You should also know, that to be a crisis worker you will have to get more than just a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields, you will have to go on to get your masters in social work and in some cases, your Ph.D. depending on what your future career goals are.

2. Masters degree in social work
After you go to school and get your masters in social work and start your career as a crisis worker, you will need to make sure that your skills stay fresh and up-to-date. You will also always have the need to find ways to improve your competence in the workplace, and your confidence in dealing with a crisis appropriately. In order to do this, you need to find crisis center training programs that are near you. Going through these programs will help you learn how to build upon the listening skills you have, and learn how to communicate better with everyone you encounter. There is always room to grow in this area no matter how long you have been on the job, or how green you may be.

3. Ongoing training
Crisis worker certifications also ensure that every worker has the right set of skills to handle any type of crisis that they encounter while on the job. This line of work can provoke a lot of anxiety and even PTSD in the crisis worker since they see so much when they are on the job, and having the right tools to handle it makes all the difference. Getting a crisis worker certification and continuing to go to as many training workshops as possible will equip you to handle the most basic day-to-day tasks as well as the crisis you will see on the field.