Following the practice's emergency plan

“Activate (i.e., follow) an emergency preparedness plan for your Counseling practice in response to a relevant incident” (NBCC, 2027 task 6.1)

An emergency preparedness plan tells everyone in a counseling practice what to do when something goes wrong: a client medical emergency, a threat of violence, a fire, severe weather, a power or data outage, or a disaster. When an incident happens, the counselor follows the plan rather than improvising. The exam tests acting on the plan calmly and protecting clients and staff.

Key points

A plan typically covers medical emergencies, behavioral emergencies (suicidal or violent clients), fire and evacuation, severe weather, active threats, utility or technology failure, data breaches and public health emergencies.
Know the plan before you need it: exits, emergency numbers, who calls whom, where client contact lists are kept, and how to reach clients if the office closes.
During an incident, safety of people comes first, then securing records and restoring services.
For behavioral emergencies, follow crisis protocols: assess risk, contact emergency services or mobile crisis when danger is imminent, and stay with the client when safe to do so.
For disruptions, notify clients through the planned channels and offer alternatives such as telehealth.
After the incident, document what happened and the actions taken, and debrief with staff.
A security incident involving client information may trigger HIPAA breach notification duties.

In practice

A client collapses in the waiting room. The counselor follows the practice's medical emergency procedure: a colleague calls 911, another retrieves the first aid kit, and the counselor stays with the client while others guide other clients to a separate room. Afterward, staff document the incident and review the response.

A flood closes a clinic for two weeks. Following the plan, the office manager contacts clients by phone using the off-site contact list, and counselors move sessions to the clinic's telehealth platform.

Check yourself

What is the first priority when activating an emergency plan?

The safety of clients, staff and others, before records or services.

Why should counselors know the plan before an incident?

In an emergency there is no time to learn procedures, and quick, correct action prevents harm.

What should happen after an incident is resolved?

Documentation of the incident and actions taken, plus a debrief to identify improvements.

NBCC's knowledge and skills for Domain 6

Knowledge of: State laws (state licensure law, supervision requirements, abuse reporting, license renewal, CAQH); Federal laws (e.g., HIPAA, FERPA, immigration policy, HI-TECH, ADA, NPI); Codes of ethics; Third-party reimbursement, insurance and billing (e.g., CPT codes); Counseling Compact; Emerging technologies in Counseling; Crisis policies and procedures; Recording keeping and reporting requirements and procedures; Appropriate logistics for telemental health services; Scope of practice (e.g., letters of support, working with special populations); Alternative medical-assisted/pharmacological interventions; Accessing state licensure board; Executing voluntary and involuntary commitments.

Skill in: Maintaining confidentiality; Discerning reputable training providers and programs; Troubleshooting technological difficulties during telemental health session (e.g., session disconnects, video not working); Billing and third-party reimbursement.

A study guide written by ExamDragon from NBCC's published task; not NBCC material and not part of the exam.