Deëscalation works most effectively when a calming person understands proxemics (the dynamics of being proximal to another person) and the supportive stance, as explained by workers from the Crisis Prevention Institute.[1]
Hastings on nonviolence
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Deëscalation tip #8
One way to deëscalate is to convince the escalated person that you are feeling empathy for them. To do that, it is helpful to think of their behavior, including affect, volume, and other observables as their emotional data field. As you gather that data you transform into an empathic listener.[1]
[1] Noll, Douglas E. (2017). De-escalate: How to calm an angry person in 90 seconds or less. Hillsboro, OR: Atria.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Deëscalation tip #7
Learning to deescalate folks with mental health challenges is becoming an increasingly common and necessary bank of skills. Here is a 16-minute primer.
Monday, March 25, 2024
Deëscalation tip #6
People who are escalated cannot hear or understand you until they are convinced that you hear and understand them.
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Deëscalation tip #4
Peace Team member Jennifer Tenorio helps us develop our deëscalation skills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLFfeKv-L4Y
Friday, March 22, 2024
Deëscalation tip #3
I imagine that I am but a conduit of conflict and escalation. It can all pass through me into Mother Earth, who can handle it all, enabling me to stay calm in any conflict storm.
--Pat Adams, long time peace team trainer