Stages of Crisis Intervention

Knowing what to do when a crisis occurs can mean the difference between life and death. Defined as a crucial, decisive point, or a turning point where there is an unstable condition involving an impending, or abrupt, change creating emotional stress and/or trauma in a person's life, a crisis is an event that requires an immediate response, or intervention. In 2005, Allen R. Roberts, Ph.D., and Allen J. Ottens, Ph.D. created a crisis intervention model of seven key steps delineating appropriate actions to take. People can learn these steps so they will be equipped to handle a situation in which someone is in crisis.

Evaluate Level of Danger and Immediate Needs

• Evaluating the level of danger is the first step in crisis intervention.

  Evaluate the situation for any possible dangers, such as whether the person in crisis is a threat to himself or others, or whether he is experiencing psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations. If such symptoms are present, the police should be called and the person in crisis will be involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric hospital. If the person is not in any danger, evaluate the person's medical and psychological states and needs, as well as his social environment. See whether friends and family are supportive and can help.

Establish a Collaborative Relationship

• Develop a collaborative relatioship with the person in crisis.

  Rapidly establish a collaborative relationship as soon as you can. This will make helping the person much easier, as she will trust you and be more likely to open up to you and explain exactly what is happening.

Identify Problem and Causes

• Identify the main problem and the possible causes.

  Identify the main problem and the possible causes. Find out exactly what is wrong, and help the person identify the events that led up to the crisis.

Explore Feelings and Emotions

• Encourage the person to express her feelings about the crisis.

  Encourage the exploration of feelings and emotions. Let the person vent and unleash his feelings. By expressing feelings about the crisis situation, you may be more able to help the person find solutions.

Generate Alternatives and New Coping Strategies

• Provide alternatives and teach coping skills.

  Generate and explore alternatives and new coping strategies. With the person in crisis, identify options and help him figure out his next move. Provide referrals to agencies that can help, such as homeless shelters or shelters for battered women. Teach a few coping skills to help her effectively deal with emotions.

Choose an Action Plan

• Help the person in crisis choose a plan of action.

  Help the person in crisis choose a plan of action. After evaluating the person's options, help him decide where to go next and help him complete the goal.

Plan Follow-Up Sessions

• Shedule a session to follow-up with the person in crisis.

  Plan follow-up and booster sessions. Schedule a time for the person to call or come to your office to check in. You may be able to provide more referrals and help the person further along the healing process at that time.