What is PCM ~ the History of Professional Crisis Management
Our History since 1981
Starting in 1981, Neal Fleisig, an experienced therapist and certified Behavior Analyst, structured a system of clinical physical interventions that were based on a set of ethical principles, behavior analytic teaching methodologies (including shaping and fading), biofeedback strategies, and safe bio-mechanical movements. These physical interventions were an extension of clinical client-centered therapies. They required that the person in crisis direct the physical intervention. As in the case of biofeedback therapy, the person in crisis is an active participant in the intervention and is not simply subject to it. Under these conditions individuals would often have a significantly less difficult crisis, have shorter episodes without injury, and recover quickly, thereby re-entering ongoing clinical and educational activities more easily.
The non-physical components of the system were also founded on a set of ethical principles emphasizing the importance of choice, basic human rights and behavior analytic strategies. These strategies were based on similar techniques used in main stream behavior analysis and cognitive behavioral therapies but structured for application in uncertain and unpredictable situations.
Both the physical and non-physical procedures were standardized over a number of years through clinical services conducted at the Intensive Residential Behavioral Treatment Center located in Pembroke Pines, FL, and two of the largest school systems in the United States, Broward County School District and Palm Beach County School District, with a combined enrollment of nearly 500,000 students.
Users of the Professional Crisis Management Association’s crisis management systems and services have maintained the highest level of effective and safe intervention and support services.
The effectiveness and safety of the PCM system is evidenced by research published in the only peer reviewed clinical study comparing outcomes across different crisis intervention systems.
This study was published in the Journal of Clinical Outcomes and is available here:
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Testimonials | ||
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"The Mt. Pleasant Center is currently using the Nexxus Gate, LLC Incident Management System and Restraint Tracking System. These programs have been a life saver! They have saved us an enormous amount of time in entry, tracking and report building. The ability to export the information into a word document has allowed the data and reports to be shared quickly and accurately with the persons and committees that need the information to continue to improve the quality of the services we provide to our residents. The personal service received for adapting the program to meet our needs has been excellent. Nexxus Gate exceeded all expectations for speed, accuracy and a true understanding of what we needed the programs to do! " Dawn Gilstad Quality Assurance and Risk Management | ||
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"The (Palm Beach County) school district annually trains approximately 375 staff in initial PCM procedures and re-certifies approximately 450 staff. In my 16 years as a PCM instructor, which includes 15 years in my current position, no students or staff have been injured implementing PCM procedures. I am very familiar with other restraint procedures; in fact I was a certified trainer in others. I do not think that any other crisis management programs are as safe, effective, or implemented with the individual's dignity in mind. PCM is a complete crisis management system in which the verbal de-escalation is as important as any physical interventions. PCMA staff are always available via telephone and e-mail to answer any of our questions or to provide assistance...It is without hesitation that I would recommend Professional Crisis Management to any school district or institute that has exceptional students with various degrees of dangerous behaviors." Pamela R. Tepsic Director of Special Education |