Crisis Management Training Sydney

“With a workforce comprising of highly talented scientists and innovation being the key performance requirement, organisational culture is a key enabler. Thinkahead has partnered with HR in providing a work environment that is supportive and respective of all individuals. In addressing specific issues around inappropriate behaviours, Tanja Limnios – Director of Thinkahead provided advice and counsel that enabled the leadership team to raise awareness in an empathic manner, and provide pragmatic solutions that enabled staff to move from entrenched behaviours to more positive styles, resulting in an open and respectful working environment. Tanja’s area of strength is in quickly understanding the causes of issues then working empathically and strategically in achieving positive outcomes. I highly recommend Tanja Limnios – she is professional, valuesdriven, inclusive and pragmatic.”

HR ManagerJohnson & Johnson Research

**Change Manager**NSW Office of State Revenue

**HR Manager, Global**GSK Global Manufacturing

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A serious workplace incident — an accident, a threatening encounter, or the death or terminal illness of a colleague — can leave leaders making decisions in hours that they would normally plan over weeks. Thinkahead’s psychologists work with Sydney organisations to prepare leaders and teams for the human side of critical incidents, and to support them when one occurs — always shaped around the organisation and the people involved.

The focus is on people: how staff may be affected, what leaders can do in the early stages and how to support recovery. It is led by psychologists whose work includes supporting first responders, frontline services and organisations operating in high-risk and trauma-exposed environments. For ongoing organisation-wide support, see Mental Health and Wellbeing Programs.

Why Preparation Matters

Exposure to traumatic incidents is one of the adverse work experiences that can trigger occupational stress. How leaders respond can influence whether people feel supported or left to cope alone. Situations that may call for a planned psychological response include:

workplace accidents and injuries
the death or terminal illness of an employee
threatening or aggressive acts involving clients
traumatic events in frontline and high-risk roles
restructures and redundancies, which carry their own psychological impact

Preparation cannot prevent every incident. What it can do is make sure leaders are not improvising the people side of a crisis.

Preparing Leaders and Teams

Preparing for critical incidents looks different in every organisation, so the focus is shaped around your industry, your risks and the roles most likely to be affected. The kinds of areas it can address include:

how people can react to traumatic events at work
resilience for staff in high-risk roles
where psychological support and EAP access fit when something happens
supporting people back to work after an incident

Support After a Critical Incident

When an incident does occur, Thinkahead provides critical incident and crisis support tailored to what has happened and who has been affected. Depending on the situation, this may include:

On-site support — psychologists attending your workplace where the situation calls for it.
Guidance for leaders and HR — an impartial view of what is happening and advice on how to approach it.
Individual counselling — confidential sessions for affected employees on-site, in our clinics or via telehealth, using trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches.
Longer-term and return-to-work support — for employees whose recovery takes more time, including after a workplace injury.

An HR Director at GlaxoSmithKline has described working with Thinkahead’s director over many years on areas including crisis support and support for employees in need — read more on our Testimonials page. Individual support is also outlined on Trauma Counselling Sydney.

Who It’s For

Preparing for and responding to critical incidents can be relevant for:

senior leaders and executives who will make decisions during an incident
managers and team leaders who are the first point of contact for affected staff
HR and OHS personnel responsible for incident procedures and follow-up
frontline teams and high-risk roles where exposure to critical incidents is part of the work

Our psychologists are fully registered and bring both clinical and organisational experience — which matters when a workplace problem is also a deeply human one.

Getting Started

Every engagement begins with a consultation about your organisation, the risks your people face and any incidents you have already experienced. From there, we recommend an approach — preparation for leaders, support for a particular team, or both.

Services are offered on a fee-for-service basis, with details on Our Corporate Service Fees. Related support for people issues such as conflict, change and restructures is available through our Workplace Strategy Consultant service.

To talk through what would suit your organisation, use the enquiry form below or call 02 9981 3003.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is crisis management training?

In this context, it means helping leaders and teams prepare for the psychological impact of critical incidents at work — how people can be affected and how to support them. What that involves is shaped around your organisation, and it complements, rather than replaces, your operational emergency and incident procedures.

What counts as a critical incident at work?

Common examples include workplace accidents, the death or terminal illness of an employee, threatening acts involving clients and other traumatic events. Organisational change such as restructures and redundancies is not a single event, but it can also have a significant psychological impact on staff.

Can Thinkahead provide support on-site after an incident?

Yes. Critical incident support can be provided on-site where the situation calls for it, as well as in our clinics or via telehealth. The right mix depends on what has happened and how many people have been affected.

Does everyone affected by an incident need counselling?

Not necessarily — people respond to distressing events in different ways, and not everyone who experiences a traumatic event goes on to develop ongoing difficulties. When reactions such as intrusive memories, avoidance or trouble sleeping persist or get worse, support from a qualified psychologist can help.

Do affected employees need a referral?

No. Organisations can arrange psychological support for their people directly, and individuals can also self-refer. If your organisation already has an EAP arrangement with Thinkahead, we can talk through how it applies.

Should we train before an incident, or can you help afterwards?

Both are possible. Preparation helps leaders before anything happens, while critical incident support is there when something already has. After an incident, it can also be a useful time to review how leaders were supported and what would help next time.