Crisis Intervention

Question 1

Advanced empathy

Answer 1

Often a hypothesis about the clients experience
Used to go below the surface of a conversation
Reflection of things not directly stated
Includes reframing and interpretation

Question 2

Protocols to break bad news

Answer 2

1) Plan (place, time, people involved)
2) Assess what is known: what do they know?
3) Assess what is wanted : What do they want to know?
4) warning: give time and psychological space to prepare. “The results have come back, are you ready to discuss them now?” Gage based on time and situation, gentle transitions if needed
5) Give the news: be kind but clear, avoid the use of words with positive or negative connotation
6) respond: use a moment of silence, use empathic statements as appropriate, don’t pre label the reaction you think you’ll get, clarify as needed, recognize if more intervention is needed

Follow up: don’t try to do too much, less detail perhaps, make yourself available, plan a follow up

Question 3

Crisis

Answer 3

A stressful event that threatens an individuals psychological equilibrium to an extent that overwhelms the normal coping responses

Client and situationally dependent

Paper by O’Daniel and Wells in JGC

Question 4

Dealing with crisis situations

ACT

Answer 4

A= acknowledge: naming the event or trauma, honour the feelings, provide facts and dispel misinformation 
C= communicate : show compassion, demonstrate competence, create a safe, supportive environment, identify the "last straw"
T = transition: normalize, promote resiliency/ past coping strategies, make plans for moving forward/ outline alternatives, agree on follow up, identify supports

Question 5

Assess for suicide ideation

Answer 5

June Peters paper in JGC

3 goals:

1) Assess adequately
2) Decrease the immediate danger
3) stabilize and triage

Question 6

Assessment

Suicide

Answer 6

Listen for 3 broad components of risk:

Haplessness (Ill fated)
Hopelessness
Helplessness (nothing you do will make a difference)

What do I do?
Intent - “you sound really down, I wonder if you ever think about hurting yourself” “what do you think about”
Support - inquire what alternatives they’ve thought about, mobilize supports to increase safety
Safety
Transfer of care