Lecture on Chapter 10: Crisis Intervention & Assessment Flashcards
According to the lecture, what is the upside to “times of crisis” with clients?
Clients can be really open to change when they are experiencing crisis, however, it is also a very risky time)
What is crisis?
When the individual does not have the coping resources to deal with a triggering event.
Is crisis objective or subjective?
Subjective (dependent on the individual and their perception/experience)
Crisis is characterized by: ______ (2 things)
- Overwhelming danger or feeling threatened
2. Feelings of helplessness
The “fight or flight” response is a _______ response to crisis.
physiological
During a “____” response to crisis, a person may become temporarily very strong.
Fight
During a “____” response to crisis, a person may become catatonic, experience depersonalization, or just not feel like themselves.
“Flight”
Define “depersonalization.”
Feeling like an experience/event (typically crisis) is happening to someone else, not themselves. It is part of the “flight” response.
A prolonged physiological response to crisis intervention typically results in…?
PTSD
Hypervigilance, Self-medicating behaviors, Nightmares, and Intrusive memories are all symptoms of _____?
PTSD
How are “intrusive memories” characteristic of PTSD different than regular memories?
It is as if the person is re-experiencing the event, similar to flashback
In what way does trauma change an individual’s life story?
Traumatic event does not become integrated into their life story. It is separated off to the side and is not processed. Treatment involves reintegrating these events and processing them.
When treating trauma, we must consider: (4 things)
- Population
- Gearing your techniques towards specific crisis.
- Coping skills of client.
- Readiness for change
When treating trauma/crisis, should a counselor be directive?
No, the counselor should not be super directive.
What is the immediate work of crisis intervention?
Get the person back to baseline functioning (it is not to do long-term change)
What are the 5 components of crisis intervention?
- Stabilization (est. sense of control & safety, show empathy, grounding)
- Assessment (try to involve other people related in event)
- Explore their feelings (normalize feelings)
- Pull out client’s strengths (resiliency, coping strategies, “exceptions,” support systems)
- Treatment plan
What are some ethical concerns related to crisis intervention?
- Because you’re working with vulnerable people it can be tempting to swoop in and save the day. Remember, it’s not about you being the hero.
- Don’t want to pathologize what may be a normal reaction.
If client is suicidal, you want to create a ______, which they commit to.
safety plan
True/False: 1 in 5 counselors lose a client to suicide.
True.
True/False: More veterans die from suicide than combat.
True.
“I will always be unlovable” is an example of a ______ thought, which is one symptom that a client may be suicidal.
internal, stable, global thought
internal: I
stable: always
global: unlovable
What are some symptoms and precursors to suicide?
- mental health disorders
- feeling like a burden to society
- horrible pain that you genuinely believe will never get better
- irrational thinking
- internal, stable, global thoughts
- poor emotional regulation
- feeling like you don’t belong (biological, evolutionarily-based need)
When doing a suicide assessment, what is your ultimate goal as a counselor?
Keep them alive
What are the 7 components of suicide assessment, as outlined by the lecture?
- What is the Intent? (suicidal ideation, which can be passive suicidal ideation)
- Do they have a Plan?
- Do they have the Means?
- How Lethal is the action that they are talking about doing?
- Ask: Why haven’t you done it yet? What is keeping you alive right now?
- Get commitment to not kill themselves (we don’t do written “no suicide” contracts anymore - instead, get verbal plan for coping); display genuine empathy
- Document all your steps
True/False: When conducting a crisis assessment, a counselor should use the client’s name, which helps them process the event.
True.
What should a counselor do if they lose a client to suicide?
seek their own counseling
Why is multiculturalism important in suicide assessments?
Cultural beliefs about suicide can vary
What are some risk factors for suicide?
- Previous attempts (reduces taboo)
Substance use (can cause impulsivity & indicates poor emotional regulation) - Loss (especially something humiliating, like a breakup; unexpected loss; loss of someone to suicide)
- Mental health issues
What are some warning signs of suicide (IS PATH WARM)?
I - Ideation S - Substance abuse P - Purposelessness A - Anxiety T - feeling Trapped, resistance to help H - Hopelessness W - Withdrawal from friends, family, society A - Anger R - Recklessness M - Mood changes
