The emotionally disturbed adolescent in residential placement is one of the most challenging situations for mental health professionals. The youth care worker with this population often demonstrates symptoms of "burnout." This study examined the effects of a specific training program, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Youth Care Worker, on the perceived competence and job stress reported by residential counselors working with seriously emotionally disturbed adolescents in residential settings. Analysis indicated that the training had no statistically significant effect on the participant's sense of job competence or stress. However, the study did find that the younger residential counselors receiving follow-up training reported a higher level of competence in support skills. In addition, a reported sense of depersonalization decreased in the groups receiving training. Most significant was the participants' overall positive response to the skills acquired through the training. (Contains 13 references and 2 tables.) (JE)