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Critical Conversations in Emergency Psychiatry Webinar: From Crisis to Support: Converting Crisis Intervention into the BEST Model
Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM MDT
Category: Events

Critical Conversations in Emergency Psychiatry

From Crisis to Support: Converting Crisis Intervention into the BEST Model

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Date & Time: Tuesday, May 27th, 9 AM PT/10 AM MT/11 AM CT/12 PM ET

About the webinar: Join Donaldson Betts, BSN, MBA, RN, CEN, PMH-BC and Charlzetta McMurray-Horton RN, PMH-BC, NEA BC as they  share the journey of transforming a traditional Crisis Intervention Team into the Behavior Support Team (BEST) — a proactive, nurse-led model built to prevent escalation, reduce workplace violence, and support staff well-being before, during, and after psychiatric crises. Learn how this system-wide initiative integrates evidence-based practices, staff resilience programs, and real-time data tracking to create a culture of early intervention and psychological safety.

Webinar format: AAEP webinar moderators will kick off each session with a 10-15 minute introduction to the topic. The remainder of the session time is dedicated to open group discussion, allowing for deeper exploration and exchange of insights.

Moderators: Donaldson Betts, Charlzetta McMurray-Horton

About Donaldson Betts: Donaldson Betts is the Nurse Manager of the B.E.S.T. (Behavioral Support Team) at Harris Health System. With over a decade of frontline experience across psychiatric and emergency departments, he brings dual board certifications in Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing and Emergency Nursing. Donaldson has served as an Emergency Room Nursing Manager at Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital and as a frontline clinician at Ben Taub Hospital’s Emergency Psychiatric Unit. He earned his Executive MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas in December 2024, and holds a BSN from UTHealth Houston. In addition to leading system-wide behavioral crisis response efforts, Donaldson is a board member for the American Association of Emergency Psychiatry and a Steering Committee Member for APNA’s Council for Safe Environments. He is the creator of Harris Health’s Code Lavender program and the architect of the rebranding from traditional crisis intervention teams to a proactive, trauma-informed, emotionally intelligent support model known as BEST.
About Charlzetta McMurray-Horton: Charlzetta McMurray-Horton holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Oklahoma and is ANCC board certified as a Nurse Executive Advanced and Psychiatric Mental Health nurse. She has worked as a psychiatric nurse in various settings, including acute care, emergency, home health, outpatient, residential, and academic environments, and has treated patients across the lifespan. Over the last 30 years, she has practiced psychiatric nursing in numerous roles. She possesses progressive leadership experience in positions such as Clinical Nurse Specialist, University Instructor, Program Manager, Director, Administrative Director, and Associate Administrator. Charlie has been with Harris Health System for 17 years, where she has led the psychiatry, rehab, and skilled nursing departments, as well as the system's clinical case management, utilization management, occupational health, emergency medical services, transportation, outsourced clinical contracted services, and the transfer center. Currently, Charlie serves as the Administrative Director for Nursing Strategic Initiatives at Harris Health System and as Adjunct Clinical Faculty at the University of St. Thomas. Ms. McMurray-Horton is a member of the Texas Hospital Association Behavioral Health Council, serves on the Houston Community College Nursing Advisory Committee, holds the position of Program Chair on the board of The Network of Behavioral Health Providers, and is President of the executive board of the National Alliance of Mental Illness Greater Houston. 

About the series: This free webinar series is a moderator led monthly virtual forum for AAEP members to discuss important and interesting topics in the field of Emergency Psychiatry. Webinars are recorded and will be available to members in AAEP's online learning center. 

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