Crisis Text Line

Spike Captain

May 2019 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I love the sense of community that this work offers. I’ve met a lot of friends and acquaintances through this organization that I know will last a lifetime.

What I wish was different

Nothing much!

Advice

This job has unconventional hours (10PM-4AM EST) so being more of a night owl is preferable.

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Crisis counselor

March 2019 • Tempe, AZ

What I liked

Opportunity to help those in need during times of crisis and poor mental health. Flexible schedule where you are able to volunteer whenever you have time.

What I wish was different

N/A

Advice

I would advise that one should be prepared to deal with some heavy issues, and in light of that, it is important to take care of your own mental health and well being.

3 ${count} people found this helpful

Crisis Counselor

January 2018 • Monroe Township, NJ

What I liked

I like that I work with people in the field that I want to go in to. There are volunteer crisis counselors who are also psychologists and have jobs pertaining to the volunteering that we do.

What I wish was different

Nothing - it's a great company. Everyone is very supportive.

Advice

It can definitely be a hard job because of the types of conversations and topics you are dealing with. It takes a lot of strength and training to be able to deal with such heavy topics and providing people in crisis with support. It's not for everyone.

2 ${count} people found this helpful

Volunteer Crisis Counselor

February 2022 • Cleveland, OH

What I liked

Love how easy it is to access volunteering - anytime anywhere. Has taught me how to sympathize with and approach different perspectives.

What I wish was different

Nothing.

Advice

Take time for you. Being a crisis counselor means dealing with intense topics - it's important you get what you need, too.

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Crisis Counselor

February 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

It has a flexible schedule and you can apply what you learn from training in real life situations or to those close to you.

What I wish was different

Nothing.

Advice

Being open and empathetic for people who text in to help. Also tone prepared for the training and constant learning, multitasking and typing.

1 One person found this helpful

Crisis Counsellor

August 2018 • Boston, MA

What I liked

I love how passionate Crisis text Line is about training their volunteers so that we have all the tools we need to support our texters.

What I wish was different

Advice

If you are passionate about mental health advocacy and have time do devote to learning the training materials, this will be a really rewarding opportunity.

2 ${count} people found this helpful

Crisis Counselor

June 2018 • Henderson, TX

What I liked

I enjoy being able to help others through their times of need.

What I wish was different

I still have a hard time not becoming to emotional if the person I am speaking with is dealing with things that I have dealt with in the past. Especially because I can not share identifying information or tell them what to do. My job is to help them find a way to help themselves.

Advice

Be prepared for any type of situation. When you are talking with your friends about something they are dealing with it is easy to give them advice that you think would work best for them based off of what you already know about them. The situations you will be dealing with when becoming a crisis counselor vary in each conversation and one piece of advice does not work for the two different people.

6 ${count} people found this helpful

Crisis Counselor

April 2021 • New York City, NY

What I liked

The gratification of helping people is what keeps me coming back. The supervisors are supportive, the other counselors are lovely to talk to, and the platform is easy to use.

What I wish was different

Some supervisors weren't always readily available during time-sensitive moments, but I understand they're probably busy with other cases and counselors.

Advice

Don't take it personally when texters don't readily open up to you or when they END a conversation. There's so much going on behind the screen we'll never know. You did the best you could, and you've helped them more than you know.

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Counselor

May - August 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

The support from other counselors and the helpful advisers.

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

It was emotionally intense but worth it when you help people through their crisis.

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Crisis Counselor

April 2018 • Tampa, FL

What I liked

Getting the chance to help others in need. I love the fact that I get hands on experience, this has been an opportunity to get a feel of the field I will be going into.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more time to be more consistent with the amount of hours I am able to take on the platform.

Advice

It seems scary at first to get online and start talking to people who are in crisis, people who you don't know. In some cases these are people who are hanging on a thread in need of your compassionate response. But the crisis team will have your back during every shift. You're not alone and the work you'll be doing here will make a difference.

3 ${count} people found this helpful

Crisis Counselor

July 2018 • Spokane, WA

What I liked

I currently am volunteering for the ongoing position of Crisis Counselor for the Crisis Text Line, which is a very innovate program, which is very well organized and the supervisors are incredibly supportive. I enjoy volunteering in this way because I am innately service oriented, and I get a great deal of life satisfaction when I can be of service to people in this way.

What I wish was different

I wish that I had more time to volunteer and take conversations. And of course, I wish that the world didn't need the Crisis Text Line, aside from that Utopian thought, I have had a great experience with the training, the volunteering, and everything. I can't think of anything that I would really like to be different.

Advice

I would recommend that everyone with a service orientation consider volunteering specifically with the CTL, because it is very versatile with hours, and you can do it from anywhere that you have an internet connection, a computer, and two hour blocks of privacy. The training really prepares you, and I feel like a better person for doing. I would go a bit further with the same train of thought and also say that I have learned the value of volunteering from my experience, and I honestly feel that everyone should try contributing to the well-being of the world by volunteering. It is really personally rewarding as well.

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Crisis counselor

September 2017 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

They are very supportive and understanding

What I wish was different

Advice

1 One person found this helpful

Crisis Counselor

July 2018 • Jackson, MS

What I liked

I liked it being on my own schedule and from home

What I wish was different

I wish we had more time for breaks between shifts

Advice

It’s a lot more stressful then it looks so don’t overwhelm yourself

1 One person found this helpful

Crisis Counselor

September 2018 • Tampa, FL

What I liked

The opportunity to make a real, lasting difference in the lives of others

What I wish was different

Advice

1 One person found this helpful

Crisis counselor

May 2019 • Tampa, FL

What I liked

Helping people

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Very rewarding but tiring

2 ${count} people found this helpful

Volunteer

March 2016 • Milwaukee, WI

What I liked

Spending my free time helping people in crisis, knowing I’m making a difference.

What I wish was different

If anything I wish I would have volunteered more hours than I did, just because it’s so rewarding

Advice

If you’re looking to volunteer, look for a cause that means a lot to you instead of something you don’t care much for. That way it will be such an amazing experience and rewarding work and can also help set yourself up for your future if you find a position that really interests you.

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Crisis Counselor

July 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Flexibility and support

What I wish was different

Earlier start date (faster clearance from training)

Advice

1 One person found this helpful

Crisis Counselor

March 2020 • None, Turin

What I liked

I really enjoyed my experience with the Crisis Text Line. I feel like I learned a lot in the training and that I made a difference every shift.

What I wish was different

N/A

Advice

Try to maintain a consistent schedule with your shifts

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crisis counselor

August 2019 • New Milford, NJ

What I liked

*Love, not like. I cherish our amazing staff members as well as brave texters. Speaking your mind is not at all easy... still, it's well worth the shot. Actively leaning on your support systems is a key of healing! My position here has allowed me to extend both support and resources to our community. I plan on continuing my journey with Crisis Text Line:)

What I wish was different

Honestly, nothing really. The team is very adaptive and responsive to any concerns/inquiries each counselor has.

Advice

Make sure to incorporate self-care time for you too! The only way you can give support to others, is if you also acknowledge your needs yourself. It's all about balance. Together, let's encourage one another to seek the support we all deserve.

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