Understanding and Managing Psychological and Behavioral Manifestations of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the Military Veteran

Overview:   This segment of the seminar encompasses an in-depth discussion of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Signs and Symptoms of the condition, how it manifests, how Stigma and Stress play a factor in triggering it, and how & what strategies appear to be successful in managing those who may suffer from it.  As a result, these innovative approaches and direction will assist public safety in cultivating a more insightful appreciation of how such individuals who suffer from a condition struggle with attempts to problem solve in everyday life.  More and more of our Military Veterans and families experience an array of changes and transition from Pre-Deployment to Post-Deployment. This seminar will discuss and evaluate the dynamics surrounding suicide, violence risk, and threat assessment involving military personnel in crisis.

This seminar will not only educate others, but provide the necessary insight into what some individuals and families experience, will penetrate the Stigma dynamic, and will assist others in “normalizing” such behavioral and psychological reactions that such individuals and families endure.

• History of Post-Traumatic Disorder (PTSD) (Movie)
• What is PTSD?
• Stigma, Stress, and PTSD
• Myths about PTSD
• Fight or Flight Response (What about Freezing?)
• Perception of Danger for Someone who displays PTSD Symptoms (Movie)
• Stressors for the Military Veteran & (Movie)
• Deployment Cycle for the Veteran and Family
• Responses to Traumatic Stress
• How PTSD is different than other Mental Health Conditions
• Suicide, Suicide Threat Assessment, & Suicide Intervention Steps
• Violence Risk & Threat Assessment
• Biopsychosocial Model for Violence Risk Assessment

Class Outline:  Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention, Stress Management, & Conflict Resolution in the New Millennium

This class is designed to heighten awareness and provide viable coping skills surrounding the psychological, physical, and behavioral effects from stress for law enforcement personnel.  Law enforcement suicide prevention and intervention will be covered in this class.  Without healthy resolution, the work environment can be affected, low morale and poor productivity can also occur.  Following the completion of this class, law enforcement personnel will potentially acquire: new insight into the origins of anxiety and stress, evaluate healthy versus unhealthy coping patterns to such a process, consider how “core beliefs” affect those whom may experience such negative effects from stress, acquire a comprehensive model for law enforcement suicide prevention and intervention, and leave with tools to potentially mitigate such effects.

Suicide Prevention/Intervention, Managing Stress, & Cultural Sensitivity for Law Enforcement Personnel in the 21st Century

• What is Anxiety
• Recovery from Anxiety Responses
• Post-Traumatic Stress – Signs and Symptoms

Signs from Stress

• Physiological Signs & Effects from Stress
• Fight or Flight Response
• Psychological Effects from Stress
• Behavioral Effects from Stress
• Benefits of Relaxation and Self Talk
• Mistaken Beliefs
• Stress Symptom Checklist

Law Enforcement Suicide

• Prevention/Intervention
• Suicidal Behavior Along a Continuum
• Suicide Threat Assessment

Law Enforcement Suicide

• Assessing Suicidal Level of Intent
• Assessing Suicide Potentiality
• Actions to Avoid In Suicide Intervention
• Suicide Intervention Steps

Conflict Resolution

• Operational Definitions of Conflict
• Skills to Reduce Conflict
• Enhancing Listening Skills
• Bad Listener/Good Listener

• Offers a comprehensive picture of the psychological and behavioral aspects of adult and
adolescent active shooters

• The program utilizes the behavioral sciences as a foundation for threat assessment needed to
potentially identify and mitigate such a threat.

• Providing an overall portrait of recent and well-known active and school shooter incidents,
prevention indicators, threat assessment, and what has been learned from such incidents to
potentially prevent such acts of violence.

Dr. Robert J. Cipriano Jr., has been working with the community professionally within the field of psychology for 22 years. His undergraduate training in psychology was completed at Florida State University and he successfully completed a doctoral program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) in clinical psychology at Carlos Albizu University in Miami, Florida. He completed his doctoral internship at one of the largest state hospitals that housed the “criminally insane” within the Central United States.  He currently owns and has developed his training and consulting business, SIMCIP GROUP Forensic-Psychological Consultants, located in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

Dr. Cipriano is currently a Florida Licensed Psychologist for the past 12 years. He is board certified in Police and Public Safety Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and for the past decade had also worked as a Police Psychologist for Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD). In that role he served as a consultant for the Special Response Team (SRT -Also known as SWAT) and provided expert training and developed strategies for effectively working with and understanding the “criminal mind.”  He assisted the team in gaining insight and managing individuals who suffered from severe mental illness and who were in crisis. Additionally, he provided critical support to the crisis negotiation team when they were faced with crisis situations, hostages, career criminals, and barricaded subjects who posed a threat for police and the community at large.

His area of specialization includes utilizing his clinical skills operationally to target the spectrum of trauma and violence in the field. Such experience entails educating police, the military veteran, and the civilian population on the psychological effects from trauma as well as understanding and managing aspects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-recognizing signs and symptoms of the disorder, how it manifests, and how to work and interact with those who may suffer from it.

Dr. Cipriano offers expert training in understanding the psychological dynamics and warning signs of active shooters, school shooters, school place violence, and bully behavior. Dr. Cipriano has a strong interest in this area and has developed a clinical curriculum to target, intervene, and potentially prevent such acts along this specific spectrum of aggression. His knowledge, experience, and expertise will be passed on to parents, educational institutions, administrators, law enforcement agencies, and youth programs on a national, state, and local level.

Courses:

Morale, Motivation, Suicide Prevention-Intervention, Stress Management, & Resiliency for LEO’s

Understanding the Psychological Dynamics of Active Shooters-Offering a Violence Risk and Threat Assessment Approach for Educational Professional & Public Safety Personnel

Constructs to Critical Incident Stress Debriefings

Wellness Program for 911 Dispatchers & Complaint Officers

Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention, Stress Management, & Conflict Resolution in the New Millennium

Understanding and Managing Psychological and Behavioral Manifestations of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the Military Veteran

Crisis Negotiations Seminar

Correctional Professionals Managing those that Suffer from Mental Health Issues in Jail and/or Prisons

This two day course is designed for ALL law enforcement to attend, particularly sex crimes, homicide, probation, parole, first responders, coroners, school resource officers, victim advocates, special investigators, nurses, and patrol.

This course offers extensive examination into the mindset of sexually violent individuals from the mouths of those who preyed on unsuspecting citizens. Dr. Lawrence J Simon, who has worked in prisons and studied these individuals for years, will discuss the underlying motivations of some of the most bizarre, violent, non-violent and invasive paraphillic behaviors. This course examines the why behind the crime and its addictive progressions.  This course combines the innovative perspectives of psychology behind the crime and disturbing viewpoints from some of the most dangerous sex offenders and murderers behind bars. This innovative two day course probes the evolution and disturbing aspect of sexual deviant pathology including such topics as necrophilia, pedophilia, cannibalism, frotteurism, exhibitionism, criminal sexual sadism, war rape, voyeurism, bestiality, and serial lust murder.

Dr. Simon is one of the nation’s leading law enforcement trainers on the subject of aberrant sexual pathology. He has trained law enforcement all over the county. He is a doctor of psychology, certified sexologist and diplomat from the American Board of Sexology. He has worked in several maximum security prisons in the United States providing psychological services to violent sociopaths, murderers and rapists. He has conducted lengthy interviews and extensive research into the internal thought processes and psychosocial backgrounds of these extraordinarily violent men, including but not limited to inmates housed on death row. He has either offered his impressions, or worked directly with law enforcement agencies on hundreds of cold case homicides and numerous sex-related crimes. His seminars will intrigue and horrify.

This workshop is relevant to all law enforcement personnel and is primarily designed for homicide and sex crimes detectives. This exclusive training offers extensive analysis into the minds of violent sexual  predators and serial murderers who generally target women and children. Sexual deviant pathologies discussed at length will include criminal sexual sadism, necrophilia, bestiality, cannibalism, and some of the rarest and remarkably violent and perverse sexual deviancies ever perpetrated.

Sexual homicide case studies and crime scene photos, interview samples of serial killers, videos of violent pornography and overall mindset of criminal sexual sadists and serial killers discussed.

Primary Objective

Obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the general mindset and psychosocial backgrounds of serial killers and criminal sexual sadists in an effort to identify and better prepare for interviews and case preparation.

The workshop is set up as meeting style

Two of the most recognized “women warriors” in law enforcement have teamed up to bring an exciting day of training and inspiration to the police profession.  Sergeants Betsy Smith and Nancy Fatura will lead students through eight hours of intensive, interactive training that will inspire, inform, and provide attendees with updates and information they can use immediately to improve and enhance both their professional and personal lives.

Course Overview:

Each session begins by honoring the sacrifices of our fallen, celebrating our winners, and learning from our history.  The multi-media format keeps students engaged and entertained while we provide officers, agents, dispatchers, trainers, supervisors, managers and all other personnel with an unparalleled training experience:

During this intense session you will be learn:

·        How to have a “Not Today” mindset, on every call, on every shift

• Why “survival” is minimalistic and we must train to WIN!

·        To embrace your role in your own tactics, training, safety and career

·        How to reignite your passion for this profession

·        To properly manage a critical incident physically and emotionally

·        How to embrace warrior ethos regardless of your career path

·        To leave behind the “victim-based” mentality and take control of your own future

·        Secrets to real fitness for real women

·        Recognizing and utilizing the differences between male and female personnel

·        Effective, realistic communication and leadership skills

·        To trust and enhance your natural intuition  

·        How to enhance off duty safety and bring your family into your world

·        To “lead, mentor, and inspire” others regardless of your assignment or tenure

·        How to increase your awareness and overcome the effects of “routine”

·        What it takes to become truly resilient

·        How to utilize “gender intelligence” to improve all aspects of your life

This program is unlike any training course available on the market today and is the culmination of over twenty years of research and experience brought to you by the veteran trainer who developed the original “Street Survival for Women.”  Constantly updated, this course encourages women to look beyond the anecdotal, “that’s-the-way-we’ve-always-done-it” world of policing and utilize science, physiology and proven methods that will help them improve their career, their safety and their outlook. “The Winning Mind” philosophy of ‘teaching by storytelling’ cites inspirational examples of courageous men and women, including Sgt. Fatura’s personal story of resiliency and survival.  The atmosphere created in the classroom encourages students to network and gain strength and ispiration from each other, making this session a powerful day for everyone.  This class will inspire, motivate, and encourage women not just to survive, but to WIN!

Lt. Col.  Dave Grossman is  a former West Point psychology professor, Professor of Military Science, and an Army Ranger who has written several books for law enforcement, including the Pulitzer-nominated book On Killing. Dave has trained thousands of soldiers and police officers across the globe. He has served as a trainer and keynote speaker for all major national and international law enforcement training organizations .

This advanced eight hour training seminar will provide you with the most cutting-edge and enjoyable courtroom training to help you perform at your very best. You will learn more about testifying in homicides and other high profile cases than you ever imagined. No, we are not attorneys. This is a unique training seminar that has been developed especially for you by those who sit in your seat. “Courtroom Success” is for Police Officers, Investigators and other law enforcement professionals who are dedicated and committed to outperforming defense attorneys, hold prosecutors accountable for their responsibilities and simply win court cases.

Your expert instructors will discuss their experiences, share current success stories, and most importantly focus on crucial mistakes. You will learn your individual strong and weak points when testifying, and then discover today’s newest techniques that are guaranteed to help you become the “superstar witness”. Remember, being nervous in court is acceptable; being unprepared is not!

Blocks of Instruction:
 Self evaluation: Are you a target in court?
 Understanding today’s courtroom procedures during homicide trials
 Physical considerations that make or break the trial
 Successful verbal and nonverbal behavior when testifying
 Effective case preparation
 Handling defense attorney tactics, strategies and trap questions
 Victim and witness preparation
 Reading the jury
 And much more….

The Winning Mind© for Women

“The Winning Mind for Women” is one of the most unique and popular courses offered by the “Winning Mind Seminars” team.  Sgt. Betsy Smith guides students through 8 hours of intensive, interactive training that will provide attendees with updates and information they can employ to improve and enhance both their professional and personal lives.

Course Description:

We begin each session by honoring the sacrifices of our fallen, celebrating the law enforcement profession and asking each attendee to inwardly assess their own career. We define true “Warrior Ethos” as well as the “Guardian Mindset” as we talk about the history of women in policing and celebrate our winners and role models.  We then introduce gender-specific science and leadership principles that anyone can use to enhance their career and improve their life on and off the job. The multi-media format keeps students engaged and entertained while we provide officers, agents, dispatchers, trainers, supervisors, managers and all other personnel with a realistic view of gender differences and how these can be harnessed in both men and women to improve performance, morale, communication, relationships, and especially officer safety.

During this intense session students will also be exposed to:

• The “Not Today” mindset, on every call, on every shift

• Why “survival” is minimalistic and we must train to WIN!

• Embracing your responsibility for your own tactics, training, safety and career
• What “Guardianship” really means to you, your career and your community
• Why and how to embrace Warrior Ethos regardless of your career path
• Preventing and preparing for officer ambush
• How to leave behind the “victim-based” mentality and take control of your own future
• Recognizing and taking advantage of the differences between men and women
• Learning to communicate effectively with everyone in your agency and beyond
• How to bring your family into your world to enhance off duty safety and your relationships
• Finding and using the best female-specific equipment available
• Learning to “lead, mentor, and inspire” others regardless of your assignment or tenure
• How to increase your awareness and overcome the effects of “routine”
• Dealing with pregnancy in a high risk profession
• Assessing your own career and coming up with a plan for real success
• How “Post Traumatic Growth” can improve your career and your life
• How to truly embrace “the family” of law enforcement and stand together

This training is like no other in that it encourages women, and those who train and supervise them, to look beyond the anecdotal, “that’s-the-way-we’ve-always-done-it” world of learning and utilize science, physiology and proven methods and information that will help anyone in law enforcement improve their career and their survival.   Sgt. Smith’s philosophy of “teaching by storytelling” cites real-world, inspirational examples of courageous men and women whose stories stay with the attendees long after the class has concluded. The atmosphere created in the classroom encourages students to network and gain strength and information from each other, making this session a powerful day for all involved.  This course will inspire, motivate, and encourage women to excel and to win, regardless of assignment!