Western States Hostage Negotiators' Association

Training Crisis Negotiators Since 1986

Member National Council of Negotiation Associations

When Every Word Counts by Andy Young

Fight or Flight

Join Dr. Andy Young on an “up close and personal” journey into the world of crisis negotiation. Experience a 360-degree panorama of hostage situations from the vantage points of SWAT teams, police, victims, the bad guys, and the specially trained mental health professionals who help save lives and bring relief to the extreme distress that comes with the trauma of crisis.

This book is a profound and deeply human story of real people and real stories—perpetrators, victims, law enforcement, and families—and the very real challenges they face in dealing with the emotional and psychological trauma of crisis situations. It is also a story of the dedicated crisis negotiators and counselors who devote countless hours to helping those traumatized by tragedy navigate safely through some of the worst experiences of their lives. Supremely, it is a story of courage and compassion, rescue and restoration for victims, families, and law enforcement alike.

Dr. Young’s book brings long overdue and well-deserved honor to the people who risk their lives regularly, not only for public safety, but also for the often-underestimated value of the mental wellbeing of everyone involved.

When Every Word Counts

Passion and compassion lie at the heart of these stories; Andy vividly illustrates not only the passion that law enforcement personnel, and especially crisis/hostage negotiators, have for their work, but also their genuine and deep compassion for everyone caught up in a crisis situation, including the “subject” at the epicenter of the crisis, and their fervent desire to see the situation resolved peacefully and safely for everyone involved. This focus is the distinctive strength and power of When Every Word Counts because it unveils a side of law enforcement and crisis/hostage negotiation that people outside the profession generally know little of and rarely see.

Join Dr. Andy Young as he continues with an additional set of “you are there” personal stories from the front lines of crisis/hostage negotiation. He also describes some of the training law enforcement personnel go through that shows the challenges of learning how to respond to a crisis situation in a manner that both protects the officer and avoids escalating the situation.