FORMAL TRAINING SESSIONS:  These sessions include a combination of lecture, experiential exercises, interactive exercises, films, etc. designed to acquaint you with a variety of mental health issues and how they specifically manifest themselves in hotline work. The dates and times of the formal training sessions are listed on our Training Schedule page..

COMPUTER TRAINING:  You will need to be taught how to use the computer programs we use for documentation. Complete this as soon as possible, even during the Formal Training Sessions if possible.

ROLEPLAYS:  At these small group sessions, facilitated by Crisis Center counselors, you are able to "roleplay" or practice a counseling situation with other trainees.  A minimum of seven roleplays as counselor and seven as client is required. It should be stressed that this is simply the MINIMUM--you are encouraged to do as many as you like in order to feel confident about moving to the next step and actually taking calls.

10 HOURS OF OBSERVATION:  You will schedule 10 hours to work with an experienced counselor during which you will have the opportunity to observe first-hand actual crisis intervention contacts. You are encouraged to ask a lot of questions. This is the time to work on integrating the information and techniques necessary for crisis intervention and referrals. You will also be trained to use the computers during this time.

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL PRACTICE VIGNETTES:  This tool will assist you in becoming familiar with the many resources that exist in Butler County and the surrounding area, and that the Crisis Center is able to offer. Complete this during your 10 hours of observation. 

POLICY REVIEW:  This tool is designed to ensure that you are adequately familiar with all of the Crisis Center's policies and procedures before you begin taking calls.

SUPERVISED EXPERIENCE:  You will schedule your first 4 hours of phone work with a mentor who will offer support, feedback, and guidance. This time also serves as the first evaluative step before you become an independently functioning counselor.             

EXPERIENCE SUPERVISED BY HOTLINE DIRECTOR:   Each counselor will spend 2 hours of phone work with the Hotline Director. This is the final evaluative step before reaching independent status.    

INDEPENDENT 4-HOUR PHONE SHIFT:  This is the final step in the training process. Successful completion results in Full Active Status.

COMMITMENT:  All Crisis Center counselors are required to put in a total of 60 hours per semester, which averages out to at least four (4) hours of phone coverage per week. Two of the 4 weekly hours must be scheduled on the permanent hours schedule, as a regular every-week time (like one would do if you were scheduling a class). The other two per week can be variable. In addition, at least one (1) overnight shift (midnight-8:00am) per Miami University semester, not including summer, is required. The minimum length of commitment is one year. (See Hours Commitment Policy). Because of the one-year commitment, Miami University seniors will not be accepted into the training program, unless they are able to work the summer following May graduation.