CRMGTPV X036 - Agitation and Coregulation: Working with People During a Crisis
This interactive training explores how professionals can effectively respond to agitation and escalation in workplace- and client-facing settings by focusing on coregulation and nervous system awareness. Participants learn how physiological states, unmet needs, and organizational pressures contribute to crisis behaviors. Through reflection, discussion, and roleplay, attendees explore de-escalation strategies grounded in compassion, clarity, and connection.
Delivery Options
Online Self-Paced: This training is constructed as a non-interactive, video-based asynchronous distance learning training.
Time to Completion
Total Asynchronous Time is approximately 3 hours.
Training Completion Requirements
- Participants must submit a pre-training survey, complete all coursework requirements, and pass the training post-test with a score of at least 80%. Unlimited attempts are allowed.
- The post-training evaluation survey will be immediately available once the required coursework and post-test are finished, and the evaluation must be completed to receive CE credit.
What You’ll Learn
After completing this training, participants will be able to:
- Define coregulation and its role in de-escalation.
- Recognize how hunger, exhaustion, and scarcity affect behavior.
- Identify early indicators of agitation.
- Apply nervous system awareness to improve responses during crisis.
- Use nonverbal and verbal techniques to promote safety and connection.
- Engage in reflective exercises to better understand their role in escalation or regulation.
What You’ll Earn
- Social workers completing this training will receive 3 clinical continuing education clock hours under ACE.
- This training is approved for 3 CE clock hours for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, as well as substance use counselors in domain TR1 – treatment field related (renewals only) in the state of Ohio.
Additional Information
Development Date: November 2025
Target Audience: 988 crisis call line staff and other human services professionals
Content Level: Beginner
Training Outline:
- Good faith; assumptions; intention-setting
- Roleplay: avoidance of suffering
- The body in crisis: nervous system and coregulation
- Self-processing activity: coaching your crisis self
- Pre-indicators and early warning signs
- Scarcity; stress; systemic factors
- Understanding conflict and interdependence
- De-escalation techniques and language that works
Instructor: Mike Gersz, LPCC-S, LICDC-CS GAMB
Director of Outpatient Services at Maryhaven
Mike Gersz, LPCC-S, LICDC-CS GAMB, has worked in the behavioral health field since 2007 and currently holds the license of LPCC-S and LICDC-CS, along with his gambling endorsement. He serves as co-chair of the Trauma-Informed Care Committee at Maryhaven. He received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University (criminology and sociology) and his graduate degree from the University of Dayton in clinical mental health counseling. Gersz holds an advanced chemical dependency certificate from Columbus State Community College (CSCC) and serves as an adjunct instructor at CSCC and Capital University. He is a proud 2023 graduate of the PGNO Ohio Gambling Treatment Fellowship Program.
Instructor: Daniel King, LCDCIII
Senior Director of Behavioral Health Clinical Services at Volunteers of America Ohio and Indiana
Daniel King, LCDCIII, has over 14 years of experience in addiction and co-occurring condition treatment and is currently completing his MSW at The Ohio State University. He has led initiatives expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)-inclusive care and developing rapid treatment pathways following overdose. King serves on the Treatment Committee for the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board. Drawing from personal experience with recovery, he is deeply committed to building systems that treat people with dignity. Outside of work, he is a proud dad of three and caretaker of seven sugar gliders.
Continuing Education Approvals
The Ohio State University College of Social Work, (Provider: 1628), is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The Ohio State College of Social Work maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 4/30/25-4/30/28. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.
The Ohio State University College of Social Work provides approvals for continuing education for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists that are accepted by the state of Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board.
The Ohio State University College of Social Work has been approved by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals (CDP) Board as a provider of Continuing Education, approval number: 50-24068.
Certificates & CE Reporting
CE certificates will be available for download in your learner portal within 1 business day after submitting the evaluation survey. Hours for Ohio licenses submitted with the evaluation survey will be reported to CE Broker every 14 days (twice per month).
⚠️ Note: You may only complete this training once for CE credit. You may revisit the content, but only one certificate will be issued and credit will only be reported to CE Broker one time.
Cancellations, Refunds, Grievances, Accessibility Requests & Learning
Please visit the Policies section of our website for information on cancellations, refunds, grievances, training completions & certificates, participant conduct, and accessibility requests and learning accommodations. We strive to host inclusive, accessible events. If you require an accommodation, contact CSW Accessibility at csw-accessibility@osu.edu or call 614-688-1657. Requests received at least 14 days prior to the date you plan to begin a training will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the College will make every effort to meet requests regardless of lead time.
Contact Us
For questions about the enrollment process, payment options, technology, or training records, please submit an inquiry and our Enrollment Support team will assist you within 24 hours during business days.
If you have any questions, concerns or feedback about the training content or delivery format, please contact the 988 training team at 988trainings@osu.edu. For questions related to the training content, our office will facilitate communication with the training instructor on your behalf and connect you, if applicable. Presenter contact information will be provided within the training for questions, feedback, or comments.
Email: 988trainings@osu.edu
Website: csw.osu.edu/continuing-education/988-lifeline-series