2. A crisis is “a temporary state of upset and
disorganization, characterized chiefly by an
individual's inability to cope with a particular
situation utilizing customary methods of
problem solving, and by the potential for a
radically negative or positive outcome”
(Jackson-Cherry & Erford, 2010, pg. 2)
Trilogy Definition involves three major
components:
The individual who is in crisis
The actual event that precipitates the crisis
Not so much what happens to the individual
Their perception of the event–
Diminished functioning when the distress is not
mitigated by adequate coping resources
3. Stress
Response to a stressor that leads to a change in equilibrium
Trauma
Powerful, overwhelming, and threaten perceptions of safety and
security
Responses to trauma
Typically respond with intense fear and horror
Other physiological symptoms (difficulty eating, sleeping, and
functioning in everyday life; hypervigilence)
Coping
All actions taken in an attempt to manage the stress
Adaptive or maladaptive
Adaption
Degree to which functioning has changed
Resiliency
How well an individual bounces back from adversity
Based on physiological strengths and psychological resourcefulness
4. Brief therapeutic intervention with the goal
to return the client to their level of
functioning before the crisis designed to:
Decrease suffering/symptoms
Then refer to long term therapy if needed
Triage client problems
Resource and referral
May or may not include clinical diagnosis
Capitalize on client strengths and protective
factors that will facilitate coping
Prevention
May prevent full blown crisis or diminish the severity
5. Assessment
the stressor event
the person experiencing the crisis
the meaning of the event to the person in crisis
Reactions of others that impact the person
experiencing the crisis
Important to assess risk factors
Some of which may have been present prior to the
crisis
Intervention
Treatment plan
Resource and referral
Termination
Short term nature of crisis intervention can present
termination issues
6. Interviewing the client
Psychosocial history
Perception of the event
Presenting symptoms
Risks for self harm
Coping resources available to client
Support system available to client
Direct observations of the client during the
interview
Present to person, place, time, and circumstance?
Represents their level of contact with reality
Level of fear, anxiety, despair, sense of
hopelessness?
7. Affective Intervention:
Need to establish rapid rapport with the client
Help the client to express and manage feelings resulting from the crisis
Cognitive Intervention:
Help the client understand the connections between the traumatic
event and their response to it
Clarifying the problem
Identify factors involved
Helping the client to intellectually understand the crisis
Initiate coping strategies
Help the client to change their perceptions surrounding the trauma
Environmental intervention:
Help the client to access support
From family, friends, community resources
VOCA grant
All three of these approaches will be used at some point
8. Debriefing
Critical incident training
Individual counseling
Group counseling
Social support
Classroom guidance
Prevention programs
Resources to teachers and support staff
PTSD symptoms; suicidal ideation
Resources for parents and other stakeholders
9. Assistant clients in understanding the ways crisis
has affected their life
Cognitively
Behaviorally
Emotionally
Monitor and assess the severity of the trauma
Make referrals as needed
Provide specific crisis intervention strategies
Specific treatment plan
Safety planning
Coping skills development and stress inoculators
Provide client with resources
Prepare client to deal with future crises
Will help eliminate symptoms
10. May people report extreme personal growth
subsequent to a crisis
Effective intervention is the key to positive
outcomes
11. Jackson-Cherry, L; & Erford, B.(2010), Crisis
Intervention. Pearson, New York, New York.
Information from a website- ksu.edu