Methods of Crisis Intervention
- Treating a person who is in crisis involves creating short-term goals, since the aim is to resolve the crisis relatively quickly. Other objectives include helping the client to return to the level of functioning she was at prior to the crisis, understanding the cause of the crisis and increasing positive coping skills to use in the future.
- A therapist treating someone in crisis will begin by conducting a basic assessment of the person and her situation. The assessment involves gathering information about the person's current mental, social and biological functioning, history of factors that led to the crisis, emotions that are accompanying the crisis and coping methods.
- Establishing and maintaining safety is the primary goal for crisis intervention. However, it also can be an opportunity for change and growth. Therapists may use traditional techniques as part of crisis intervention to help the client gain insight and find new methods to solve problems and cope with life.
