Child and family studies major certified in crisis intervention

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Alyssa Peters, a senior child and family studies major at Westminster College, received training and certification by Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) in August at George Junior Republic in Grove City, Pa.

The LSCI certification is internationally recognized and is required in several occupational roles that students with bachelor’s degrees might be interested in pursuing upon graduation. The week-long training incorporated role play between participants.

“What I learned most was empathy,” Peters said. “I will be working with traumatized youth, so the training helped me practice not taking things personally, but to try and recognize factors which may be underlying when a young person is distraught or not listening.”

In order to receive the training, Peters went through a selection process with Tamara Shepard of the Northwest Behavioral Health Partnership. Peters was nominated for the training by Diana Reed, coordinator of Westminster’s Child and Family Studies Program.  This collaborative training series and certification opportunity was offered to Westminster College students on account of Dr. Jamie Chapman, assistant professor of sociology, and her work with Shepard.

Peters will speak in classes at Westminster about her training experience. She will also conduct a four-credit internship with School-Based Behavioral Health, which is currently operational at 17 different sites in the tri-county area.

For more information, contact Diana Reed at 724-946-7181 or reedd@westminster.edu.

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