Our Team

Aggressive Clients?

Our Crisis Intervention Training:

  • Builds Confidence
  • Reduces Injuries
  • Empowers Employees
  • Increases Safety
Contact Us Today

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.

Read Full Bio >
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.
  • Graduated, Certified 0313, LAV Crewman Course, LAV School, 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

Read Full Bio >
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

VOLUNTEER
09/94 - 06/98 Huntingdon House, Huntingdon, PA
10-91 - 08/98 Friendly Connections, Greenwich, 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.


Read Full Bio >

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.

Read Full Bio >
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.

Read Full Bio >
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.

Northwest Passages, WI

Alex Jackson, Technical Advisor

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.


Read Full Bio >

Elisha King, Esq., Legal Advisor

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

Read Full Bio >
Significant Representations
  • 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


Crisis Consultant Group, LLC  BBB Business Review Official PayPal Seal