Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Course · 300 h · 5 modules
Course on the Psychology of Stress in Emergencies
This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge necessary to understand and manage the impact of stress in critical situations. Learn to identify psychosocial risk factors in emergency environments, apply first-line…
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts28 December
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Course on the Psychology of Stress in Emergencies?
The Psychology of Stress in Emergencies
This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge necessary to understand and manage the impact of stress in critical situations. Learn to identify psychosocial risk factors in emergency environments, apply first-line psychological intervention techniques, and develop resilient coping strategies. This program will empower you to protect your emotional well-being and that of others, optimizing performance in high-pressure situations and minimizing the risk of burnout.
Differential Advantages
- Practical Approach: real-life case studies and simulations to apply acquired knowledge.
- Self-Assessment Tools: identify your strengths and areas for improvement in stress management.
- Effective Communication Strategies: learn to communicate under pressure and offer emotional support.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: integrate practices to reduce stress and improve concentration.
- Expert Instructors: psychologists specializing in emergencies with extensive experience in the field.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Start date
10-12-2026
Programme highlights
- Understand Stress: Identify the triggers and psychological mechanisms of stress in emergency situations.
- Coping Tools: Learn practical techniques for managing stress in the field and staying calm under pressure.
- Team Support: Develop skills to recognize and mitigate stress in colleagues, fostering a resilient work environment.
- Self-Care: Implement self-care strategies to prevent burnout and maintain long-term psychological well-being.
- Effective Communication: Improve communication in crisis situations to reduce stress and facilitate decision-making.
- Prepare to respond effectively and with well-being in the most demanding situations.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Basics of stress psychology, acute human response and cognitive processing in critical emergency situations
- Emergency stress concept: definition, neuropsychological bases and differences between adaptive activation, overload and functional disorganisation
- Physiology of acute response to danger: autonomic nervous system, hormonal axis of stress and immediate effects on perception and behaviour
- Cognitive processing under pressure: selective attention, perceptual tunnel, operational memory, bias and reduction of analytical capacity
- Emotional impact of the critical incident: fear, uncertainty, blockade, impulsivity and affective reactions in contexts of real threat
- Individual differences in stress response: previous experience, training, personality, fatigue, context and level of exposure to risk
02
Psychological reactions in victims, interveners and response teams during high-intensity emergencies
- Frequent psychological responses in victims: emotional shock, confusion, denial, behavioural disorganisation and immediate security search
- Reactions of critical incident response personnel: hypervigilance, automation, emotional overload and repeated exposure
- Acute stress in controls and operational managers: pressure for decision, perceived responsibility and management of tactical uncertainty
- Collective behaviour in emergencies: emotional contagion, panic, obedience, spontaneous leadership and dynamics of groups under threat
- Factors that increase psychological vulnerability: previous trauma, lack of support, ambiguity of the role, isolation and prolonged exposure
03
Decision making, communication and psychologically effective leadership under pressure in emergency scenarios
- Decision-making mechanisms in critical environments: pattern recognition, expert intuition, rapid evaluation and limits of reasoning under stress
- Effects of stress on operational communication: transmission errors, omissions, ambiguity and loss of interpersonal coordination
- Leadership in crisis and psychological support of the team: functional authority, clarity of slogans, perceived security and regulation of emotional climate
- Effective communication techniques with victims and intervening personnel: brief instructions, clear language, control tone and control of the focus
- Coordination of equipment in conditions of high mental load: distribution of tasks, mutual support, cross-checking and maintenance of cohesion
04
Strategies for emotional regulation, self-control and resilience applied to stress management in emergencies
- Physiological self-regulation techniques in critical incidents: tactical breathing, postural control, functional activation and rapid recovery
- Cognitive tools for stress management: reframing, self-instruction, attentional focusing and control of intrusive thoughts
- Development of operational resilience: psychological adaptation, tolerance to uncertainty and strengthening of internal resources in the face of adversity
- Management of fear, frustration and impotence in situations of loss, damage or intervention limited by the environment
- Psychological preparation routines before, during and after the emergency: anticipation, mental centreing, and subsequent controlled discharge
05
Capstone Project for Psychological Stress Management in Emergencies with Protocol Design, Simulation and Applied Assessment
- Definition of the study scenario: type of emergency, actors involved, level of criticality and relevant psychological factors of the incident
- Identification of psycho-emotional and cognitive risks: victims, response teams, controls and contextual variables that aggravate the mental load
- Design of a psychological management protocol in emergency: communication, leadership, emotional regulation and psychological first aid
- Simulation of intervention in critical incident: decision making, team coordination, emotional support and management of acute reactions
- Evaluation of psychological-operational performance: stress indicators, response efficacy, avoided errors, and protocol improvement opportunities
Workload
Study Time and Workload
300 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Healthcare, emergency, and security professionals seeking to understand and manage the impact of stress in critical situations.Rescue teams, firefighters, and first responders wishing to optimize their performance and emotional well-being in high-pressure environments.Crisis managers and emergency coordinators needing tools to support their teams and remain calm in uncertain times.Psychologi
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Mitigate the immediate psychological impact
- 02Optimizing individual and collective resilience
- 03Promote emotional and behavioral self-management
- 04Promote effective communication and social support
- 05Understanding and applying psychological crisis intervention techniques
- 06Identifying and addressing post-traumatic emotional reactions
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Emergency Response Teams: Psychological support for responders (firefighters, paramedics, police officers) and those affected.
02Humanitarian Organizations: Psychosocial intervention in humanitarian crises, natural or man-made disasters.
03Civil Protection Services: Design and implementation of stress prevention and management programs in emergency situations.
04Armed Forces and Security Forces: Psychological support for personnel deployed in conflict zones or high-risk situations.
05Companies with Emergency Plans: Development of action protocols and training for stress management in critical situations.
06Health Centers and Hospitals: Psychological care for patients and families affected by emergency situations.
07Crisis and Social Emergency Units: Psychosocial intervention in situations of Individual or collective crises.
08Research and teaching: Development of studies and delivery of training in the field of stress psychology in emergencies.
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Questions
Entry Requirements
A physiological and psychological response to internal or external demands, real or perceived, that exceed an individual's coping resources.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Anxiety, fear, panic, irritability, anger, sadness, guilt, confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, denial, emotional shock, and psychosomatic reactions such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and tremors.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna Institute + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/Professional Profile:Bachelor's/Undergraduate Degree in Psychology, Medicine, Nursing, Social Work, or related field; or accredited professional experience in the field of emergencies and disasters.Specific Competence:Basic knowledge of emergencies, post-traumatic stress, and psychological crisis intervention techniques.Documentation:Updated CV, copy of degree or professional accreditation, ID/Passport, cover letter indicating interest in emergency psychology.Technical Requirements (for online):Computer with camera/microphone, stable internet connection, platform co
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Frequently Asked Questions
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