We take pride in the fact that we are what the industry would consider a “Small Business”. Although we have grown from having our first client in Virginia, to now being utilized in 18 states across the nation, we haven’t forgotten our “roots”. Customer service is taken very seriously.
Send us an email, and you will have a response within 24 hours.
Call us during business hours (or not) and we will respond within 24 hours.
To speak to the CEO press #3 when you call our Toll-Free number and you will be connected to Mr. King whenever possible.
Read through the bio’s below to find out more about the CCG team, and the experience, education, and training that stands behind every course we offer.
Brendan King, CEO / Developer / Master Instructor
Mr. King has spent nearly 18 years working and volunteering in a multitude of crisis prone human service environments. Starting his professional career working in mental health and substance abuse treatment centers in 1992, he worked in both long term and acute psychiatric and residential treatment facilities. He excelled in both direct care and supervisory positions and eventually worked his way up the professional ladder serving as a Unit Manager and Alternate Program Director for a 56-bed adolescent behavioral modification treatment program. During his tenure in that role he was also assigned to serve as a Unit Coordinator for a 19 bed Adolescent Sex Offenders program.
During those years working in the mental health and treatment industry he was certified in a number of nationally recognized Crisis Intervention Training programs and co-led ongoing employee training of nearly 140 staff members within one of the facilities for which he worked. While working he participated in over 400 documented crisis situations involving aggressive, dangerous, and mentally ill individuals where he was required to intervene both verbally and physically nearly every free moment it seemed. Though extremely disheartening, and unfortunate at the time; it was those experiences that convinced him to create a new way to successfully intervene in times of crisis, and eventually launch the Crisis Consultant Group, LLC. While working in the center, Mr. King was also responsible for the development and creation of two adolescent behavioral modification treatment models which were implemented for use for both Chemically Dependent and Dually Diagnosed patients within the residential treatment unit.
Mr. King has been honored to speak at numerous events working with the Northern Virginia Public School system regarding Substance Abuse and Drug Awareness, as well as speaking as a member of a special panel on Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation with the former Drug Czar of the United States, General Barry McCaffrey, and Virginia State Congressman Frank Wolf. Mr. King has been featured in publications and interviews regarding crisis intervention training, self-defense and workplace violence prevention as well as other related topics.
Mental Health Training, Certifications, and Experience: Over 11 years Combined Work and Volunteer participation in Mental Health/Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Field with Adolescents and Adults--Direct Care and Supervisory roles
Certified Substance Abuse / Mental Health Crisis Response Team Member, CADRE, Va.
Prior Certification as Facility Instructor/Trainer, Comprehensive Crisis Management
Prior Certification in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Crisis Prevention Institute
Prior Certification in Management of Aggressive Behavior
Prior Certification in Medication Management for Residential Settings
Distinguished Service Award, March 2004, Vanguard Inc.
Military Training and Experience:
1999-2007, Sergeant, United States Marine Corps, Reserves
Veteran- Served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Iraq 2003
Graduated, USMC Recruit training, Parris Island, S.C.
Graduated with Honors, Certified 0311, USMC School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, CA.
Prior Tan Belt Qualification, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
Medals Awarded:
Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Action Ribbon
Naval Achievement Medal
Sea Service Deployment
Good Conduct Medal
Meritorious Mast
Global War On Terrorism Medal
National Defense Medal
Marine Corps Institute Certification:
Terrorism Awareness
Military Operations in Urban Terrain
Operations Against Guerrilla Units
Fundamentals of Marine Corps Leadership
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Contamination Avoidance and Reconnaissance
Marine Rifleman
Infantry Squad Leader: Combat Leadership
Principles of Instruction For Marine NCO’s
Having served as a Sergeant in the US Marine Corps Reserve, he safely returned from deployment to Iraq to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom / Iraqi Freedom. Sergeant King participated in the liberation of the country of Iraq, while performing combat operations with the 4th Light Armored
Reconnaissance Battalion. While there, his company was attached to various infantry battalions providing armored security, combat operations, and reconnaissance for the other infantry troops on the
ground. Also having been attached to Task Force Scorpion he participated in numerous raids to capture former Baath party leaders, Republican Guard troops and Saddam Hussein loyalists. He was certified as a Tan Belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts program and is an active student of Hwal-Moo under Grandmaster Kun Hwa Lee. This art focuses on practical combat and self defense, incorporating elements from many different martial art styles, such as: Tang Soo Do, Hapkido, Judo, Jujitsu, and Muay Thai Kickboxing to defend against both single and multiple attackers.
Law Enforcement Experience and Certifications:
Sworn Deputy Sheriff, Patrol Division, Fauquier County Sheriffs Office, VA.
Defensive Tactics Instructor Certification, DCJS VA
SERT (Sheriffs Emergency Response Team Member) Certification, VA
Combat Pistol Certification Course, Central Shenandoah CJTA
SWAT Sniper Certification, Fairfax County Police Department, VA
12 GA Door Breaching Instructor, Singleton International
Live-Fire, Dynamic Clearing Techniques, Singleton International
Hostage Rescue and Drug Raids Certification, Singleton International
Specialty Impact Munitions, Distraction Devices and Chemical Munitions Course, FCSO-VA
M26 Advanced TASER® & TASER X26 Certification, FCSO- VA
Field Training Officer Certification, DCJS VA
Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs Certification-First Responder, Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA
Street Gang Investigations Certification, DCJS VA
Court Services Officer, Fauquier County Adult Court Services, DCJS VA.
FBI--NCIC/VCIN, Certified April 2002 to current
Prior Licensed Private Investigator, VA ID# 99-131299
Compliance Agent, Department of Criminal Justice Services, VA
Bail Enforcement Agent, TruthSeekers, LLP.
Loss Prevention Agent, Jamesway Corporation
Mr. King brings law enforcement training, certifications, and experience through his work as a sworn Deputy Sheriff assigned to the Patrol Division and SERT (Sheriffs Emergency Response Team) with Fauquier Country Sheriffs Office in Northern Virginia. Having been assigned to both the Entry team,
and serving as one of two team Sniper's, Mr. King has had numerous years of experience with high risk / high stress emergency situations. His criminal justice background is further rounded out as he has worked as a Community Corrections Local Probation Officer in addition to briefly working as a Bail Enforcement Agent for Truthseekers, LLC where he conducted surveillance, apprehension, and retrieval of fugitive felons.
My Google Plus Profile
Matt Thompson, Master Instructor
Matt Thompson has more than 13 years of front line and supervisory experience working with court involved youth and their families. He began his career in juvenile justice as a counselor in a secure detention facility where he worked with dually diagnosed adolescent males and females on a post-dispositional treatment unit. Matt went on to work as a counselor in a residential group home before becoming a juvenile probation officer where he supervised court involved youth in the community. Matt is currently the director of a juvenile probation unit where he supervises and trains other probation officers. Through his work with troubled youth and their families, Matt has developed a unique understanding of the challenges found when working in potentially volatile situations and has had to use his skills and training over the years to intervene and prevent crisis situations from occurring.
Matt joined the CCG team in 2007 after being introduced to Brendan by a mutual friend. Mr. King quickly realized that Matt could largely enhance and build upon the mission of CCG; to provide a safe, realistic, and effective crisis intervention program. Matt has continually brought his expertise to the table numerous times through his leadership in training and role playing during crisis scenario exercises. Together Matt and Brendan have traveled the country successfully training clients in many varying environments, including schools, treatment centers, hospitals, secure detention facilities, and corporate security, to name a few.
Matt is a graduate of the University of Virginia and currently resides in Ashburn, VA with his wife and three sons.
Amy Downes, Marketing Coordinator / Lead Instructor
CCG is very pleased to announce the addition of
Ms. Downes to the team! Amy brings an extensive, and impressive resume
which you can read for yourself (below). Monitoring the pulse of
the industry by continuing to work in the Mental Health field, Amy has agreed to assist CCG, LLC in its marketing efforts to bring
our training to many more agencies around the nation.
Having
been certified as a CCG Trainer for the past few years, her direct
knowledge of the principles, theories, techniques, and skills taught
within the CCG Curriculum makes her an excellent resource to provide
direct information about the benefits of our training to new clients. Additionally, she will also be helping to develop additional curriculum
for training courses provided by CCG in the future.
EDUCATION Temple University, August 2007,
MSW with a clinical concentration Juniata College, PA August 1998,
B.S.W. with a concentration in communication State College, PA,
2009, LSW
EXPERIENCE 2/09 – Present Family Based Mental Health Services Supervisor, Universal Community Behavioral Health, Bellefonte, PA Supervise
clinical teams trained to work with families at risk of having child
placed out of their home. Collaborate with community agencies and
referral sources to advocate for services to further support families
being served. 1/09 –
Present Consultant, Crisis Consultant Group, LLC, Northern Virginia. Hired
to assist with program development, marketing and additional curriculum
development for leading provider of crisis intervention services.
12/07 – 3/07 Adjunct Recruiter, Temple University Hired
to market and recruit qualified students for the MSW satellite program
in Huntingdon, PA for Fall 2008. Successfully contacted approximately
sixty potential students in human service agencies in nine counties.
Provided support and advising services to current cohort of MSW
students.
7/07 –Present Program Specialist, J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital, Huntingdon, PA Perform
mental health assessments and facilitate appropriate referrals to
providers in the community. Supervise interns. Provide training to
hospital staff in crisis intervention, verbal de-escalation, and
physical restraint. Created, implemented and maintain database to track
inquiry calls, assessments, and admissions. Employee Assistance Program
counselor as needed. Assist with insurance pre-certification and
utilization reviews.
03/03 – 7/07 Intake & Assessment Counselor, The Meadows Psychiatric Center, Centre Hall, PA Provided
crisis phone intervention to residents in several counties. Performed
assessments for individuals in order to determine the best level of care
(i.e., outpatient counseling, wraparound services, and inpatient care).
Coordinated recommended services through agency/community contacts.
Delegate trained. Assisted with the development of a new clinical
assessment form and training tool. Responsible for performance
improvement development and monitoring protocol. Provided staff
development in-services.
09/05 – 12/06 Drug & Alcohol Counselor, Clear Concepts Counseling, Lewistown, PA Primary
facilitator for the intensive outpatient program (IOP) for clients with
substance abuse concerns. Provided individual counseling for
adolescents and adults. Responsible for maintaining regulatory
compliance of client records. Created treatment plans, monitored client
progress while partnering with colleagues to provide resource
coordination and referral services for clients as part of integrated
services and disposition planning.
09/01 - 04/02 Case Supervisor, Zerby Gap Familyworks, Spring Mills, PA Launched
intensive family reunification service in Mifflin County. Counseled
group home residents individually and in group. Maintained resident
records and produced reports for referring agencies. Collaborated with
Penns Valley High School faculty and staff regarding resident
behavior/progress.
10/99 - 09/01 Family Counselor, Youth and Family Services, Bellefonte, PA Provided
individual and family counseling services to families in Centre County.
Interacted with other professionals involved with the family for
treatment planning, and information sharing. Delivered oral and written
reports. Responded to
crisis calls from Centre County residents. Performed assessments in
home/community to determine need for inpatient/outpatient mental health
services.
10/98-10/99 Residential Counselor, The Meadows Psychiatric Center, Center Hall, PA Provided
record management services of client medical files. Served as integral
member of compliance team by finalizing client records and reports.
Responsible for managing overflow telephone calls from crisis lines
during night shift hours. Provided coordination of services between
shifts to provide seamless client care.
UNDERGRADUATE WORK EXPERIENCE 08/97 - 12/97 Extended Orientation Instructor 08/97- 12/97 Teacher’s Assistant; Introduction to Human Communication 08/95 – 05/98 Resident Assistant
INTERNSHIPS: 09/06 – 05/07 Graduate Teacher Assistant/Coordinator of Mentoring Program, Temple University, Huntingdon, PA 01/06 – 5/06 Facilitator, PULSE Program, Clear Concepts, Lewistown, PA 09/05 – 01/06 Juvenile Sexual Offender Program, Project Compass, Milesburg, PA 01/98 - 04/98 Prevention Specialist Intern, Huntingdon Area School District, Huntingdon, PA 09/96 - 12/96 Youth Worker Intern, Juniata River Center Group Home, Huntingdon, PA 06/95 - 08/95 Youth Counselor Intern, Kids in Crisis, Cos Cob, CT
HONORS AND AWARDS 2008 Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society Alumni Inductee 2007 Temple University Alumni Award 2006 Member National Association of Social Workers 1998 Juniata College Woman of the Year 1997 Community Contribution Award Recipient – Juniata College/Huntingdon Community 1997
Inducted into Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society 1996 Member of
Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges & Universities
SPEAKING EVENTS/TRAININGS/CERTIFICATIONS: 2008: Meadows Psychiatric Center: Perception, Language, & Self Awareness in Crisis Intervention Early Intervention Conference: Mental Health, A Family Affair Juniata
College National Eating Disorder Awareness Week: The Role of the Media
in Supporting a Culture which Endorses Eating Disorders 2007: Meadows Psychiatric Center: Eating Disorders and Older Women F.E.A.R Certified Trainer from Crisis Consultant Group, LLC American Heart Association CPR 2006: Pennsylvania Crisis Association: Crisis Intervention Techniques and Boundaries; Dealing with the Frequent Caller 2005: Stepping Stone Transitional Living Program: Recognizing Eating Disordered Behavior in the Residential Setting.
Evan Dzierzynski, Assistant Instructor
Evan is the newest addition to the CCG training team, though has been committed to training others how to defend themselves during aggressive encounters for many years.
Evan has trained in multiple martial arts systems for over 7 years, and has been training in the S.P.E.A.R.(TM) and Personal Defense Readiness(TM) for over 5 years.
He is a certified Personal Defense Readiness (PDR) Fundamentals Coach registered under Blauer Tactical Systems (BTS), which is the civilian training program based upon the SPEAR system. Additionally, he holds specialized BTS certifications in Groundfighting,
and Weapons Protection. He is an avid Cross-Fitter, and Cross-Fit
Kettlebells certified instructor.
Evan is also the CEO of NOVA Self Defense, LLC a premier provider of Personal Self Defense in the Northern Virginia area.
Evan earned his Bachelors in Science in Environmental Technology from North Carolina State University, on a full academic scholarship through the College of Natural Resources. He graduated Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.37/4.0 in 2006.
Currently employed full time with the US Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, VA he is a Patent Examiner currently holding GS-13 certification.
Evan is also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Leadership Training Course, excelling in enhancing human relation and effective communication skills. We are truly happy to have him a part of the CCG Team, and appreciate the wealth of experience he brings with him.
Anthony Bowling, Assistant Instructor
Mr. Bowling currently assists CCG, LLC with
training at various locations around the country. He brings Law
Enforcement, Mental Health, and Investigations experience through his
extensive background working in various settings and diverse high-risk
populations.
Currently Mr. Bowling works as a Police Officer for
the Baltimore City PD, in Maryland. His beat is known to be one of the
most violent and crime ridden areas in the country.
His wealth of experience and background dealing with high stress crisis situations is
put to the test nearly every shift.
Mr. Bowling worked as the lead case investigator
for the Cochran Law Firm, Washington DC actively working on large scale
notorious cases involving wrongful death, insurance fraud, white collar,
and similar crimes for over 5 years. Previously, he was also the owner
of Truthseekers, LLC an investigations and private security company
based in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to that time Mr. Bowling began his
LE career working as a Police Officer in PA, and had served time in
the US Army as an MP.
Mr. Bowling met Mr. King while working
with at-risk youth in a treatment center in VA in the late 1990's and
formed a unique friendship due to their shared common interest in helping
others in need. He is another great asset to the CCG team.
Mark Elliott, Assistant Instructor
Here at CCG, LLC we are proud to announce our
first addition to the Instructor staff who was plucked from the ranks of
one of our Train-The-Trainer courses. Mark is currently the Director
of Northwest Passages, an organization built around treatment
for at-risk youth and adults throughout the state of Wisconsin.
After
having been Certified as a Trainer in the CCG curriculum, Mark
expressed an interest in one day assisting CCG with other training
opportunities that arose. After working with Mr. King directly in
training sessions for other clients it was apparent that Mark had a
unique ability to present the CCG material, he is able to connect with
audiences easily due to his grounded and practical approach.
Recognizing that half the battle in any presentation is the way the
material is presented, Mr. King was pleased to add Mark's relaxed, yet
confident training ability to the team.
Mr. Elliott has 20 plus years of extensive
front-line and administrative background working with youth and adults
in various residential and day treatment settings. Currently serving on
the board of directors for the Northwest Passage program, he was
selected for that position after having been the director of the
facility for many years. Mark is actively involved with youth outside
of his profession, serving as the school board president for the past 12
years and coaching youth at various levels. All of these experiences
have resulted in Mark having an understanding of crisis situations not
only from a policy/administrative perspective, but also the practical
day to day application.
Mark is also actively involved and
affiliated with local, state, and national associations working towards
improving the quality of care for youth, and those in treatment centers
around the nation. This experience continually aids in bringing about
various training curriculum additions and critiques which help ensure
that CCG, LLC courses are keeping in best practice and relevant to our
clients.
Mr. Jackson and Mr. King got to know each other by beating each other up.
In
truth, one of the inital ways that they met was through studying
Muay-Thai Kickboxing and Brazillian Ju-Jitsu under the teachings of a
former kickboxing heavyweight champion, Master Nathan Coryell. Through
some intense sparring matches Alex and Mr. King became great friends.
Alex was also asked to evaluate the physical intervention
techniques created by CCG, LLC for effectiveness, safety, and realism
under stress induced circumstances and role play situations.
Alex brought a wealth of real-world Martial Arts
and street level combatives experience to the development process. Over
time the practiced methods and techniques were critiqued, molded, and
blended into what is currently being utilized throughout the United
States and soon to be overseas in the CCG, LLC Facing Emergencies And
Reacting™ training curriculum.
Not only is Elisha King a phenomenal, no-nonsense attorney for DLA Piper in Washington, DC, but she is Brendan's favorite older sister who regularly offers her expertise and legal guidance to CCG when required. Ms. King provides services to a wide range of business clients in trial and appellate litigation, and counseling on litigation avoidance. Additionally, she is an experienced employment lawyer who frequently assists businesses with general personnel advice, responses to administrative investigations, drafting of employment contracts and non-compete agreements and analysis of
employment issues in corporate mergers and acquisitions.
J.D.,University of Virginia 1997
B.S.,University of Maryland
1993
Washington Business Journal named
Ms. King among the Top Washington Attorneys in the "Young Gun"
category; 2007
Washington SmartCEO magazine
named Ms. King one of Washington, DC's Legal Elite; 2009
Won monetary damages and reimbursement of
legal fees for a corporate client on claims of breach of a non-solicitation agreement and various business torts
Obtained favorable settlement for a corporate client after bringing suit for breach of contract, tortious
interference with business relations, violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and breach of fiduciary duty
Won trial on behalf of a government contractor on various business tort claims, including unjust enrichment of the defendant corporation
Obtained summary judgment in a case arising under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Obtained favorable settlement after defeating class certification in a discrimination case
Won dismissals of several unpaid wage and overtime cases for corporate clients
Won trial on behalf of a corporate client accused of professional negligence and breach of contract
Won dismissals of more than a dozen employment discrimination cases
Negotiated a favorable settlement with the US Department of Labor on behalf of a corporate client under investigation for failure to pay overtime to hundreds of employees
Admissions
Maryland
District of Columbia
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States District Court for the District of Maryland
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Civic and Charitable
Pro bono counsel, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Guardian ad litem, District of Columbia Superior Court
Serve as employment and litigation counsel to several non-profit organizations on a pro bono basis
Better Business Bureau – “A+” Rating
DUNS# 804280969
GSA CAGE Code# 6UF57 
Mr. King has spent nearly 18 years working and volunteering in a multitude of crisis prone human service environments. Starting his professional career working in mental health and substance abuse treatment centers in 1992, he worked in both long term and acute psychiatric and residential treatment facilities. He excelled in both direct care and supervisory positions and eventually worked his way up the professional ladder serving as a Unit Manager and Alternate Program Director for a 56-bed adolescent behavioral modification treatment program. During his tenure in that role he was also assigned to serve as a Unit Coordinator for a 19 bed Adolescent Sex Offenders program.
During those years working in the mental health and treatment industry he was certified in a number of nationally recognized Crisis Intervention Training programs and co-led ongoing employee training of nearly 140 staff members within one of the facilities for which he worked. While working he participated in over 400 documented crisis situations involving aggressive, dangerous, and mentally ill individuals where he was required to intervene both verbally and physically nearly every free moment it seemed. Though extremely disheartening, and unfortunate at the time; it was those experiences that convinced him to create a new way to successfully intervene in times of crisis, and eventually launch the Crisis Consultant Group, LLC. While working in the center, Mr. King was also responsible for the development and creation of two adolescent behavioral modification treatment models which were implemented for use for both Chemically Dependent and Dually Diagnosed patients within the residential treatment unit.
Mr. King has been honored to speak at numerous events working with the Northern Virginia Public School system regarding Substance Abuse and Drug Awareness, as well as speaking as a member of a special panel on Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation with the former Drug Czar of the United States, General Barry McCaffrey, and Virginia State Congressman Frank Wolf. Mr. King has been featured in publications and interviews regarding crisis intervention training, self-defense and workplace violence prevention as well as other related topics. 
Matt Thompson has more than 13 years of front line and supervisory experience working with court involved youth and their families. He began his career in juvenile justice as a counselor in a secure detention facility where he worked with dually diagnosed adolescent males and females on a post-dispositional treatment unit. Matt went on to work as a counselor in a residential group home before becoming a juvenile probation officer where he supervised court involved youth in the community. Matt is currently the director of a juvenile probation unit where he supervises and trains other probation officers. Through his work with troubled youth and their families, Matt has developed a unique understanding of the challenges found when working in potentially volatile situations and has had to use his skills and training over the years to intervene and prevent crisis situations from occurring. 
CCG is very pleased to announce the addition of
Ms. Downes to the team! Amy brings an extensive, and impressive resume
which you can read for yourself (below). Monitoring the pulse of
the industry by continuing to work in the Mental Health field, Amy has agreed to assist CCG, LLC in its marketing efforts to bring
our training to many more agencies around the nation. 
Evan is the newest addition to the CCG training team, though has been committed to training others how to defend themselves during aggressive encounters for many years. 
Mr. Bowling currently assists CCG, LLC with
training at various locations around the country. He brings Law
Enforcement, Mental Health, and Investigations experience through his
extensive background working in various settings and diverse high-risk
populations.
Currently Mr. Bowling works as a Police Officer for
the Baltimore City PD, in Maryland. His beat is known to be one of the
most violent and crime ridden areas in the country.
His wealth of experience and background dealing with high stress crisis situations is
put to the test nearly every shift. 
Here at CCG, LLC we are proud to announce our
first addition to the Instructor staff who was plucked from the ranks of
one of our Train-The-Trainer courses. Mark is currently the Director
of Northwest Passages, an organization built around treatment
for at-risk youth and adults throughout the state of Wisconsin. 
Mr. Jackson and Mr. King got to know each other by beating each other up. 
