Disaster Mental Health & Crisis Counseling
Provide mental health support and counseling after disasters
Overview
Disaster mental health providers generate $150,000-$600,000 annually through crisis counseling and contracts.
In 2025, disasters create significant mental health needs.
Services include crisis counseling and support groups, trauma and PTSD treatment, disaster survivor counseling, first responder mental health support, community resilience programs, and grief and loss counseling.
Successful disaster mental health professionals provide trauma-informed care, work with disaster survivors and responders, coordinate with Red Cross and emergency management, obtain FEMA crisis counseling grants, and support long-term recovery.
FEMA funds crisis counseling programs.
Marketing through emergency management, Red Cross, disaster recovery organizations, and mental health networks.
Required Skills
- Mental Health Counseling
- Trauma Treatment
- Crisis Intervention
- Disaster Psychology
- Group Facilitation
- FEMA Grant Programs
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Critical need after disasters
- FEMA crisis counseling funding
- Meaningful helping work
- Growing disaster mental health awareness
- Can work with multiple organizations
Cons
- Need mental health credentials
- Emotionally demanding work
- Work intensifies after disasters
- Grant-dependent funding
- Vicarious trauma risk
How to Get Started
- Get mental health counseling license
- Build disaster mental health expertise
- Get crisis counseling certifications
- Partner with Red Cross and emergency management
- Apply for FEMA crisis counseling grants
- Provide trauma-informed care
- Support disaster survivors and responders
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