What To Do After a Crisis
Restoring Calm and Connection After Crisis
What to do after a crisis is actually one of the most important questions to ask to improve how we best prevent and de-escalate behaviours.
The post-crisis phase, often overlooked, can either restore calm and rebuild trust or risk a return to distress, confusion and further escalation.
Adopting a restorative approach guided by a structured follow-up process helps ensure that everyone involved is supported, understood and able to move forward with clarity and care.
Why the Post-Crisis Phase Matters
We recognise that crisis doesn’t end when the incident does. Immediately after, the person enters a Tension Reduction phase, a period where emotional intensity has lowered but vulnerability remains high. How you respond during this time can determine whether the situation truly de-escalates or if residual stress leads to further incidents.
Handled well, this phase presents a valuable opportunity to restore relationships, understand triggers and introduce more effective behaviour management strategies. A restorative approach focuses not just on resolving the event but on healing and prevention, supporting both the individual and the staff involved.
6 Core Steps in a Restorative Post-Crisis Process
1. Control: Support Emotional & Physical Stability
Help the individual calm down in a way that suits their needs. Emotional regulation takes time and energy, so offer rest, food, water and a quiet space. Some people may want to talk; others may need silence. Respect their coping style.
2. Orient: Establish What Happened (Without Judgement)
Once calm is restored, begin a gentle, fact-based reflection. What triggered the incident? What events unfolded and who was involved? Create a non-judgmental space where the person can speak honestly and feel safe doing so.
3. Patterns: Identify Triggers & Recurring Factors
Explore potential patterns: Is there a time of day, environment or situation that consistently precedes crisis? Are there known stressors or contextual factors? This step supports effective behaviour management by helping teams predict and prevent future escalation.
4. Investigate: Explore Alternatives to Escalation
Work with the individual to identify alternative responses to distress. Using a trauma-informed mindset, consider the behaviour as communication. What could help next time? How can staff respond differently to meet needs earlier?
5. Negotiate: Agree on Future Expectations & Supports
Collaboratively agree on what will happen if similar feelings or situations arise. What helps the person feel supported? What should staff avoid? Involving the individual in this conversation restores agency and promotes trust.
6. Give: Acknowledge Progress and Restore Responsibility
Recognise and reinforce what went well during and after the crisis, i.e. self-regulation, use of coping strategies or the ability to reflect calmly. Highlighting these positive steps helps build confidence and encourages continued growth.
Note:
At this stage, it’s important to gradually give back responsibility to the individual, while continuing to provide support and reassurance. Focusing on what’s working, rather than setbacks, helps sustain progress and develop long-term resilience.
Benefits of a Restorative Approach Post-Crisis
- Builds trust: Individuals feel heard, respected and supported rather than judged or dismissed.
- Reduces harm: A trauma-informed process lowers the risk of re-traumatisation and emotional damage.
- Improves outcomes: Understanding triggers and planning ahead leads to fewer repeated crises.
- Encourages behaviour change: Improves emotional awareness and self-regulation.
- Strengthens teams: Staff gain confidence, consistency and shared strategies for ongoing care.
Crisis care doesn’t stop when the incident ends. What happens in the minutes, hours and days after matters deeply for everyone involved. By taking a restorative approach, organisations can support recovery, prevent further escalation and promote long-term wellbeing.
It’s not just about managing behaviour. It’s about restoring dignity, rebuilding relationships and creating environments where people feel safe, understood and encouraged.
Ready to support your teams with restorative, post-crisis strategies?
Connect with our team today to learn more about how CPI training can benefit your organisation.