Disaster Mental Health Interventions uses DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and the latest research to help build disaster mental health intervention skills that will last a lifetime.

James Halpern, PhD, is Professor Emeritus and founding director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health. He has received many federal, state and United Nations grants to develop curricula and deliver trainings throughout the US and abroad.

Karla Vermeulen, PhD, is the Deputy Director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health and an assistant professor of psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz, where she oversees an advanced certificate in trauma and disaster mental health and develops trainings for disaster responders.

Disaster Mental Health Interventions uses DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and the latest research to help build disaster mental health intervention skills that will last a lifetime. Students and emerging professionals across the fields of mental health counseling, social work, school counseling, spiritual care, and emergency management will appreciate the accessible tone, level of detail, and emphasis on practice. Case studies and anecdotes from experienced professionals add an additional level of depth and interest for readers.

1. What Is Disaster Mental Health? 2. Describing Disasters 3. Typical Reactions 4. Early Interventions: Psychological First Aid 5. Early Interventions: Other Actions 6. Disaster Loss and Grief 7. Disaster's Impact: Extreme Reactions 8. Children and Families 9. Vulnerable Populations 10. Cultural Competency 11. Practical Considerations and Self-Care for the Responder 12. Conclusions and New Directions