Verbal De-Escalation: The 3R Framework
In moments of crisis, words can make all the difference. In this course crisis expert Adam Graham, LPC-MHSP, equips you with practical, research-based skills to calm intense anger, fear, or agitation through verbal de-escalation. Drawing on the American Association of Emergency Psychiatry’s Project BETA Best Practices, learners will explore the 3R Approach—Reflect, Refocus, and Restore—a simple yet powerful method for calming heightened emotions and guiding clients toward safer, healthier outcomes.
Designed for mental health professionals and frontline staff, this training blends proven best practices with real-world scenarios. By the end, you’ll feel more confident managing difficult situations, keeping everyone safe, and strengthening relationships built on trust and compassion.
Course Overview
ESTIMATED COURSE LENGTH: 1.25 hours
CE CREDITS:1.25 hour continuing education/contact hours for social workers, psychologists, counselors, and marriage and family therapists
TARGET AUDIENCE: mental health practitioners, crisis teams
LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION: Introductory
PREREQUISITE(S): None
INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD: Recorded video format
ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: To request further accessibility accommodations, please email support@psychhub.com.
COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: To obtain your CE certificate, learners watch the full course, complete a participant evaluation, and obtain a score of 80% or higher on a post-test. Learners are expected to complete the quiz within 3 attempts. If unable to do so, the learner will need to re-review the course segments.
FINANCIAL/COMMERCIAL SUPPORT STATEMENT: This course has no commercial support.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: This course has no potential conflict of interest or outside commercial support. Psych Hub's conflict of interest statement is found in the footer of the training center.
GRIEVANCE AND REFUND POLICIES: Grievance and refund policies are found in the footer of the training center.
PARTICIPATION COSTS: The cost to participate in this CE activity is included in the subscription registration fee.
COURSE CREATION DATE: 10/28/2025
Learning Objectives
-
Explain the psychological and physiological factors that contribute to agitation and escalation in behavioral health crises, and identify early verbal and non-verbal indicators to distinguish between disruptive and dangerous behavior.
-
Demonstrate evidence-based de-escalation techniques, including intentional self-regulation strategies and non-verbal communication methods that promote safety and reduce conflict.
-
Apply the Reflect–Refocus–Restore model to conduct structured de-escalation conversations that validate concerns, build rapport, reduce social distance, and offer realistic choices to support resolution.
-
Evaluate de-escalation outcomes through post-crisis debriefing, and formulate strategies for ongoing improvement in team-based crisis response and individual care practices.
Course Outline
-
Why Verbal De-escalation? Introduction and Framework
-
Reaction vs. Response to an Escalating Crisis
-
The 3R Model of De-escalation: Reflect, Refocus, Restore
- Debrief
CE Information
American Psychological Association (APA)
Psych Hub is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Psych Hub maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Psychologists completing this course receive 1.25 continuing education credits.Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Psych Hub, #1750, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027.California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
Psych Hub is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. Psych Hub maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. CAMFT Approval #1000074. Course meets the qualifications for 1.25 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Psych Hub has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7051. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Psych Hub is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Counselors completing this course receive 1.25 continuing education hours.New York State Education Department - Licensed Mental Health Counselors (NYSED-LMHC)
Psych Hub, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0257. New York State licensed mental health counselors completing this course receive 1.25 contact hours.New York State Education Department - Marriage & Family Therapists (NYSED-MFT)
Psych Hub, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0109. New York State marriage and family therapists completing this course receive 1.25 contact hours.New York State Education Department - Psychology (NYSED-PSY)
Psych Hub, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0208. New York State licensed psychologists completing this course receive 1.25 contact hours.New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work (NYSED-SW)
Psych Hub, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0699. New York State social workers completing this course receive 1.25 contact hours.Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling Provider Number 50-45376. Participants completing this course earn 1.25 continuing education credits.Experts
