How to Navigate Crisis: Emotional Resilience & Support Strategies

Yesterday, I had the privilege of spending 90 minutes with around 500 therapists, learning from the incredible Sylvie Taylor, one of the foremost experts in natural disaster response. She shared insights that weren’t just for therapists—they were for anyone navigating grief, uncertainty, or collective trauma.

Because the truth is, most of us have never navigated anything like this before. When disaster, crisis, or upheaval strikes—whether in our communities or across the world—we need a roadmap.

Step 1: In the Immediate Aftermath—Focus on Basics

When crisis hits, the first priority isn’t deep emotional processing. It’s survival. People need psychological first aid, and that starts with:

✔️ Food

✔️ Clothing

✔️ Shelter

✔️ Safety

This isn’t the time for long-term advice—it’s about practical, immediate support. Decision fatigue is real, and small acts of stability can make a huge difference.

💬 “I’m worried because I can’t reach [loved one] and don’t know what to do.”

💬 “I need to replace my kids’ clothes, but I don’t even know where to start.”

Be present. Offer tangible help. Emotional agility is key—needs will change daily.

Step 2: Preventing PTSD—Creating Psychological Safety

Once the dust settles, the emotional weight sets in. This is the phase where psychological safety becomes critical.

🔹 People may feel like a burden. Trauma impacts cognitive function, so some may shut down or struggle to ask for help. Gently check in.

🔹 Limit media exposure. Checking the news 2–3 times a day is fine. Endless scrolling? That’s fueling anxiety, not informing.

🔹 Normalize emotional responses. Help people recognize unhealthy patterns without judgment. This is about awareness, not fixing.

Step 3: Understanding the Trauma Timeline

We are currently in the Honeymoon Phase—a window where everyone wants to help. This typically lasts about three weeks. Then, compassion fatigue sets in.

💔 Firefighters, first responders, and relief workers will feel the weight of their work when the immediate crisis fades. Many will wrestle with guilt, thinking they “could have done more.” Acknowledging their efforts and showing gratitude—especially after the high alert is over—matters more than we realize.

🔥 Some will have lost homes. Others will have survivor’s guilt. Some will feel angry about restrictions, displacement, or bureaucratic slowdowns. Trauma presents in many forms.

Step 4: Supporting Families and Kids

👶 Children: Regression is normal. They may wet the bed, suck their thumb, or act out. This isn’t misbehavior—it’s an overwhelmed nervous system.

🛑 Limit their exposure to news. Kids under seven often believe repeated footage means an event is happening again. Instead, show them pictures of your home or neighborhood as it was, reinforcing stability.

🚨 Never tell kids “everything will be okay” if you can’t guarantee it. Instead, say: “I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.” Trust is built through honesty.

👵 Seniors: Routine disruptions can mimic cognitive decline. Be patient. If technology is frustrating, now isn’t the time to push new apps or systems. Get them connected to familiar communities instead.

Step 5: Practical Recovery Tips

✔️ Clothes & furniture exposed to toxic conditions should be cleaned or discarded.

✔️ Avoid introducing new scents in disaster zones—search dogs rely on familiar smells.

✔️ Help people reconnect to community—this is one of the most powerful tools for recovery.

Step 6: The Long Road—Disillusionment & Healing

Three to four months post-disaster, we enter the disillusionment phase. The support systems that felt so strong early on may start to wane. This is when therapists and support networks are most needed.

💡 Help people break overwhelming problems into small, actionable steps.

💡 Relationships may feel strained—validate emotions rather than rushing to “fix” things.

💡 Remind them: This is not a mental health problem. It’s a normal reaction to an abnormal experience.

Final Thoughts: Resilience in 2025

Crises reveal who we are, how we show up, and how we care for one another. Let’s commit to navigating difficult times with patience, kindness, and compassion.

If you’re feeling the weight of it all, know this: you are not broken. You are not alone. You are navigating something hard, and that is enough.