Is a systematic approach for reducing violent and aggressive behavior.

PCM is a detailed and highly systematic approach to crisis management. All strategies and procedures utilized in PCM are carefully described and defined. In addition, all PCM procedures are implemented in a precise fashion according to specified criteria. Detailed decision making trees and flow diagrams are provided throughout the program. PCM's "step-by-step" approach to crisis intervention eliminates much of the "guess work" and subjectivity that is often involved in other less rigorous and less systematic intervention systems. As a result, people utilizing the system have a better sense of what to do next and how to proceed, regardless of how difficult or how confusing the crisis situation might

Is designed for use in schools, hospitals & agencies

PCM is a highly flexible program that can be adapted for use with a wide range of populations in a variety of facilities and settings.

Currently, PCM is being used in: in-patient facilities; outpatient facilities; regular classrooms; classrooms for exceptional students; day treatment centers; and vocational programs. PCM can be utilized with both children and adults, and separate procedures have been developed for each population. Although flexible, PCM is not suitable for all settings or all groups. For example, the system is not intended for use with violent or aggressive adults who reside in correctional facilities.

Is over 11 years in development

PCM is not a new approach to crisis management. The system has evolved over the course of more than a decade of practical application and hands-on experience.

Based on scientific principles

One reason that PCM is highly effective is that the procedures included in the system are based on solid scientific principles for changing behavior. In particular, PCM draws upon the scientific research and findings that have emerged from applied behavior analysis. The scientific underpinnings of PCM are a hallmark of the system and a characteristic that sets it apart from other less rigorous crisis intervention programs.

Has proven effectiveness

PCM is not just a theoretical approach to crisis management. PCMA has been collecting and analyzing data on the effectiveness of the system for over a decade. During this time, PCM has been "tried and proven" in a variety of intervention settings and with heterogeneous groups of children and adults. The results are in..... the system works.

Emphasizes human dignity and choice

All procedures contained in PCM are designed to maintain the highest respect for human dignity and choice. PCM does not contain any procedures that are insulting, degrading, or personally derogatory. In addition, the system focuses on prevention rather than intervention and utilizes a least restrictive model for implementing crisis procedures. This model assures that individuals are only subjected to the minimum amount of restriction and intervention necessary to control or contain their behavior. As soon as an individual begins to behave in an appropriate manner, restrictive procedures are quickly and systematically removed. Throughout the course of crisis intervention, the individual is continually given the freedom to "make choices" and to decide to behave in a more appropriate fashion. This freedom to choose helps assure that all individuals maintain a maximum amount of dignity and "self determination."

Avoids the use of "pain"

As the title of the system suggests, all of the techniques and procedures incorporated into PCM are designed to be "painless," and have been carefully developed so as to avoid the use of physical pain or awkward positioning to control or de-escalate behavior. The inclusion of painless procedures only, contrasts markedly with other systems of crisis intervention that often utilize awkward positioning or manipulations of muscles or joints in order to control and manage crisis behavior.

Reduces liability & risk of litigation

Administrators, teachers, and therapists may be held personally liable if crisis situations are handled improperly or if there is a failure to act when action is clearly called for in order to ensure safety. Relative to a single successful or even unsuccessful lawsuit, the cost of training individuals in crisis management is negligible. School wide or facility wide implementation of PCM substantially lowers the risk of litigation which can result when dealing with violent or aggressive individuals.

Has a dynamic organization of procedures

PCM is a dynamic system of crisis management. The specific procedures used in any given situation depend upon a number of changing factors which must be taken into account when deciding when and how to intervene. Although the decision making process can be complex, PCM simplifies the process by arranging procedures according to a hierarchy (from least to most restrictive) and by providing well-defined guidelines and decision making rules for moving from one procedure to another. The result of this dynamic organization of procedures is that individuals in crisis tend to de-escalate very rapidly and return as soon as possible to their pre-intervention activities and facility wide behavioral programs.

Teaches step-by-step decision making processes

PCM gives precise instructions for when and how to intervene in any given situation. As a result, there is very little room for errors of judgment which result from individual interpretation. Practitioners are trained to implement PCM procedures in a precise manner, and to follow the detailed instructions and examples that are provided during training.

Is thoroughly integrated

PCM is a comprehensive and integrated system of procedures designed to deal with the full range of factors that are involved in crisis situations. PCM incorporates three major components: prevention, de-escalation, intervention, and post-crisis intervention. The prevention component focuses on preventing crisis situations before they occur. The de-escalation component targets pre-crisis behaviors using nonphysical, verbal strategies to facilitate a quick return to stable, on-task behaviors. The intervention component focuses on handling crisis situations when they occur. Finally, the post-crisis intervention component focuses on dealing with the results and aftermath of the crisis situations after they have occurred.

Is based on a "feedback" model of intervention

PCM procedures were designed to provide more or less immediate information (i.e. "feedback") to individuals regarding the appropriateness of their behavior and level of physiological arousal. Once this information has been made available to the person, he/she can begin to make choices and learn to control his/her behavior. This detailed feedback is a unique feature of PCM and it is the major reason why the system is so effective.

Is cost effective

Because PCM is so safe and effective, it is extremely cost effective. Intervention programs tend to be shorter and injury to staff and property is dramatically reduced. In addition, employee turnover and absenteeism are greatly decreased. Combined with the relatively inexpensive cost to train staff, the PCM system is clearly a wise investment in terms of dollars and cents.

Yields practical solutions

PCM is a practical system that was designed to be sensitive to the specific needs and requirements of schools and other facilities. For example, the physical assistance procedures incorporated in PCM can be used by both male and females, who are small or large in size. In addition, only a handful of individuals need to be trained in the PCM system in order to achieve facility wide coverage. Finally, the course has been condensed in format so that training can be completed in just three days.

Gives results that last

PCM has been extensively utilized at various schools, treatment facilities, hospitals, and residential programs for over ten years. Careful follow-up of individual cases has revealed that not only has PCM worked, the results have stood the test of time. Many of the individuals who have required PCM are now more or less fully integrated into their facility wide behavioral program, and/or have gone on to live more productive and happy lives as citizens of their community.

Was developed by a Certified Behavior Analyst

Neal N. Fleisig, M.S.,C.B.A. has over a decade of experience in treating severely violent and aggressive children and adults. He is the Executive Director of the Professional Crisis Management Association and author of Professional Crisis Management. Mr. Fleisig has specialized expertise in behavior management systems, and is a Certified Behavior Analyst in the State of Florida.

Integrates with existing treatment and management systems

PCM is designed to augment and facilitate existing facility-based behavior management systems that incorporate procedures such as time-out. Although PCM does not teach time-out per se, it provides participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement time-out in a manner that will prevent escalation of behavior to higher magnitudes. If crisis behaviors do escalate during attempts to implement time-out, PCM crisis procedures for transportation can be utilized to ensure that existing time-out programs can be implemented in a safe and effective manner.

Results in better staff confidence and increased staff morale

PCM boosts staff confidence and morale. Individuals trained in PCM will be less fearful and anxious about dealing with crisis behavior and they will experience increased job satisfaction. Because the system works so well to reduce crisis behavior, educational and/or treatment goals can be more easily achieved, and the work environment is less stressful and less dangerous.

The PCMA has certification available for Master Trainers & Practitioners

The system of Professional Crisis Management consists of three basic levels of training:

Master Trainer: are certified to implement, teach and certify others in PCM.

Practitioner 2:are certified to implement all PCM physical and non-physical procedures

Practitioner 1: are certified to implement all PCM physical procedures except for prone immobilization and all non-physical procedures

Practitioner: are certified to implement all PCM physical procedures except for prone and vertical immobilization and all non-physical procedures

Basic Practitioner: are certified to implement PCM non-physical procedures only and cannot implement any physical procedures