What is Crisis Counseling?
What if we told you that you could help someone in need from the comfort of your own couch whenever you want to lend a helping hand? For real, anyone can. All you have to do is become a Crisis Counselor. So, what is a Crisis Counselor? And, how do you become one anyway? I'm here as your resident Crisis Coach to break all this down for you.
First things first, let me tell you a little bit more about what I do. Being a CC can be tough work and you have a million things on your plate beyond us. So my role is to be your one-stop-shop for anything Crisis Text Line. That way, you only need to have one email address saved. Some everyday things coaches help with: general questions about our org, questions about policies or best practices, leaves of absence, sharing ideas you have to make us better. Coaches are also here to provide feedback on a tough platform conversation. They are also here to celebrate you! They will be the first to shout out your significant volunteering milestones and be your point person for access to all kinds of special prizes when you reach specific landmarks on the Platform.
I know you might be thinking, what exactly is a Crisis Counselor? At Crisis Text Line, Crisis Counselors are our trained volunteers and empathy masters who respond to texters in crisis. They all complete 30 hours of online, self-paced training to take on the same mission, bringing texters from a heated moment to a cool calm.
How do you become one, you might ask? Well, first, you fill out an application! If you're accepted, you sign up for an online training session that works best for you and your schedule. We currently offer Traditional 6-week cohorts as well as accelerated 2-week cohorts for our speed demons our there. By the end of the training, you'll be ready to take conversations on the Platform with support from Supervisors, Coaches, and the entire Crisis Counselor community.
Right now, you might be thinking, who has my back when I'm taking conversations on the Platform? Not to fear, the Supervisors are here! Every second, you're on the Platform, you will be paired with one of our empathy super star Supervisors who have quite a wide range of responsibilities. They do everything from answering your questions and popping in with feedback (things you're rocking and some things to tweak) to calling emergency services for active rescues. You might even see them on Global Chat chiming in with a movie recommendation or conversation tip if you're lucky.
Wait, What's Global Chat? Global Chat is our Platform's chat forum where you can chat in real-time with members of our Crisis Counselor community. The best part of volunteering with us is that you have the opportunity to meet like-minded people who are doing the same work you are from all across the United States and even the world. I mean, who's better to befriend than people actually trained in empathy?
I'm not going to lie; it can be nervewracking the first time you press that "Help Another Texter" button. Still, with the 30 hours of training, Supervisors, Coaches, and a fantastic community, I can promise you'll never feel like you're in this alone.
We’re here for you. We believe in your power to help someone in crisis. Join our community of Empathy MVPs. We can’t wait to meet you.