Discuss about the Crisis Intervention for Implementing Crisis.
Implementing crisis intervention theory approaches into actual practice often faces unforeseen obstacles. There is need for both insight and foresight in order for crisis intervention to be successful. While applying the 7-task hybrid model for crisis intervention as advanced by Myer, James & Moulton, 2011) is necessary, the process has a number of challenges. This report presents a definition of ‘crisis’ the impacts of crisis, a description of the 7stage hybrid model for crisis intervention, the challenges of using the model for and the possible solutions to the challenges above have also been provided in the report.
A crisis refers to not only a traumatic situation and/or event affecting an individual or group, but also refers to how a person reacts to this particular event. According to Kendra (2016), a crisis includes obstacles, threats and trauma, and majorly, provides individuals with a chance to either grow or decline in their functioning. A person is said to be in a crisis when faced with an obstacle to crucial targets in their lives. Crises present as an upset in the equilibrium where an individual’s customary approaches to problem-solving fail and thus resulting into disorganization, confusion, feelings of hopelessness, panic, sadness among others (Myer et al, 2013). A crisis could also be described as a perception and/or experience of events as intolerable difficulties which exceed one’s individual existing resources and their coping approaches. There are different types of psychological crises. Developmental crisis as the first example occur as a one of the processes of one’s growth and development through the different periods of life (Brown, 2007). Secondly, a situational crisis is the one that is sudden and is not expected. Further, existential crises include conflicts that relate to issues like one’s purpose in life, general direction, and their spirituality. Usually, crises can be very obvious and include situations like loss of jobs, being divorced, and falling victim to an accident among others.
The first category of crisis impacts includes the affective impacts. This category includes feelings that result from the onset and the aftermath of a crisis. For instance, survivor guilt among those who survived particular crises can be overwhelming for an individual. Survivor guilt persists longer in one’s post traumatic life as they keep recalling the effect of the crises upon them and others who did not survive (Myer et al, 2013). Feelings of lost hope in life and in the functioning of particular social, economic and cultural systems are also among the effects of crisis. Disbelief as an impact brings about denial among individual victims and if not controlled, individuals may choose to avoid any initiatives to intervene in their situation (Kendra, 2016). Further, emotional numbing as an impact of a crisis presents with a breakdown in one’s emotional wellbeing. As a result, individuals can choose to overreact or remain emotionless in response to a particular crisis.
Secondly, behavioral impacts include first, irritability, anger and moodiness. Individuals become irritable in relationships between them and family, workmates, friends among others. Moodiness and anger can even bring up more conflicts in these relationships as partners find it difficult to cope with these individuals. Victims of crises such as battering, suicide and homicides for instance develop hyper-vigilance (Brown, 2007). In this regard, a victim can become too obsessed with ensuring that there is no factor that can bring about a similar crisis in the future (Brown, 2007). Further, individuals affected by crises choose to indulge in excessive consumption of alcohol, among other drugs such as bhang. Individuals have nightmares and sleep disturbances during and after crises and this influences their functionality in crucial duties in a particular work environment.
Thirdly, the cognitive impacts include the effects of crisis on an individual’s thinking patterns. These include also their physical, psychological and further, their social relationships. Individuals undergoing post-traumatic stress disorder present with social withdrawal (Kendra, 2016). Victims of rape and battering for instance choose to withdraw from their social relationship. This is brought about by the feeling of inadequacy and thus a need to be left alone to develop their emotional barriers to such stresses. Marital relationships sometimes break as a result of particular crises within families.
Myer, James & Moulton’s 7-task hybrid model of crisis intervention comprises of the different activities that individuals and related institutions can carry out in order to intervene in any given crises. The first task includes creation and/or initiation of the initial contact with a crisis client (Buda, 2008). The process involves establishing a connection between the two parties psychologically. It is normal that some clients may not talk while others can be uncontrollable and unaware of the presence of a crisis worker. Therefore, crisis workers need to engage in a way which can make clients receptive to particular intervention. At this point, the crisis worker establishes a therapeutic bond where they inform the client regarding their expectations and the intended purpose of interventions.
The second task in the model is problem exploration where the intervening party defines the crisis. Definition of a crisis involves the identification of the real crisis and outlining the possible impacts on the victims and/or perpetrators of the crisis (Buda, 2008). This step also involves identifying everyone affected by the crisis including any of their special perception of the crisis impacts on self and upon their families. The intervention should thus narrow down to particular needs for the affected individuals and these include need for psychological, social, logistical and further, emotional support (Walsh, 2007). This determines the action points for the intervention program with an intention to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in the intervention exercise.
The third task involves providing support to those affected by the crisis. This involves activities such as psychological, logistical, and social and information support provision. The intervening party relies on the needs identified to provide support and relieve to individuals who are undergoing certain crisis and those with post-traumatic stress disorder. Once a crisis has been clearly recognized and defined, it is usually easier to implement the intervention measures (Walsh, 2007). The intervention thus examines the primary support system of the client in order to provide them basic needs like food, water and shelter. These resources could be scarce and inaccessible to clients. In some occasions, the clients can be ashamed to seek for a particular support and thus unwilling to make an initiative to find self-help during and after a crisis.
Fourthly, the intervening party carries out an examination of any possible interventions. At one point clients usually think that they have limited options. However, situational support, their coping mechanisms and positive patterns of thinking can help in brainstorming numerous alternatives. This process should be continuous as the client’s conditions keep changing rapidly. Examining the interventions being implemented is a crucial task as it determines the effectiveness of the different intervention measures (Evans et al, 2011). This examination ensures that the interventions are in line with the necessary procedures and that they meet the expected targets. Interventions that have been successful need to be sustained, to ensure that cleints are comfortable and satisfied.
The fifth task involves the planning aimed at reestablishing the control of the crisis. Planning in this case considers the already existing intervention methods and the individuals involved. Identification of necessary resources is done to provide clients with immediate support, and the development of coping mechanisms (Myer et al, 2013). Good plans should be created by clients and should be realistic in nature, behaviorally specific and immediately implementable. Further, plans enable a client to be autonomous and become mobile in seeking for support from the intervention programs available.
According to this model, the sixth task includes obtaining of commitment from different parties and/or groups to averting the crisis in progress or in the future recurrence. Once planning has been effectively done, it is easier to obtain commitment from clients and stakeholders. The client should verbally summarize their specific individual plans. Where there is need for lethal involvement, the client should be asked to write a commitment to be signed by themselves and the intervention experts (Evans et al, 2011). Where there is no hesitation, the intervention workers should revisit the earlier tasks. However, it is necessary that crisis workers should not impose any commitment upon their clients.
The seventh task involves a thorough follow up in order to check the effectiveness and the efficiency of the plans put in place in the intervention process. This involves a special inquiry regarding the ability of the client to maintaining both mobility and equilibrium (Walsh, 2007). This process helps in reinforcing the crisis workers’ support upon the client. It also helps in ensuring that the plan which the client has chosen to follow is pursued effectively. The crisis worker thus tries to help the client reconnect back to their commitment until they are able to cope with the crisis.
The 7-stage hybrid model has two main challenges. The first challenge includes a possible maladaptation of the belief system. In this regard, clients present with assumptions that are shuttered coupled up with ambiguous losses. Clients get overwhelmed by a sense of failure and undergo self-blame, feelings of guilt and shame among others (James & Gilliland, 2013). Some individuals can be desperate and hopeless during and after the crisis despite the presence of interventional attempts upon them. Spiritual distress sometimes set in and clients experience the pain of injustice, feel culturally and/or spiritually disconnected as a result of the thought of punishment for sins.
The solutions to this particular challenge include first, making meaning of the trauma and loss experience to the client. The crisis worker should attempt to normalize and make the client contextualize their distress. Secondly, the crisis worker must ensure that they give a positive outlook to issues around the crisis (James & Gilliland, 2013). This should be aimed at instilling hope in the client and encouraging them to commit to the intervention plan. The crisis worker should also identify the client’s strengths and affirm them. As a result, the client is encouraged to use their strengths to cope with the situation. One of the crucial objectives of a crisis worker also involves making the clients understand and accept things that can never be changed in their lives (Myer et al, 2013). Further, there is need for spiritual development and sustainability, where clients need to be encouraged to trust in their faith and take part in the spiritual rituals such as prayers.
Another challenge facing the 7-stage hybrid model in crisis intervention include communication problems. The risks for maladaptation of the communication strategies include receipt and sending of ambiguous information regarding the traumatic experience (Evans et al, 2011). This brings about confusion in the planning of the necessary intervention measures for every client. Sometimes the clients and families can be secretive, the information distorted and followed by denial of the events among clients. Denial implies that crisis workers cannot engage the clients due to absence of evidence. It also involves a blocked emotional sharing which is an impediment to proper psychological counseling procedures (James & Gilliland, 2013). Poor communication brings about a blocked approach to solving problems and making of crucial decision. Clients cannot come up with clear decisions on how to cope with the situation due to poor communication.
The solution to maladaptation of the communication strategy includes first, ensuring that information sent to clients is clear and consistent. Clarity and consistency in communication prevents confusion and helps in making clear and informed choices among clients. There is need to provide messages that clarify the traumatic experiences as a result of a crisis and any related ambiguity. This enables all parties to understand their role in the intervention program. Crisis workers should engage an open emotional expression towards the clients and thus provide responses that are empathetic (James & Gilliland, 2013). Further, there is need to ensure that clients take part in proactive preparedness and in planning the intervention.
In conclusion, this report presents the definition and types of psychological crises, the affective, behavioral and cognitive impacts associated with these crises and further, a description of the 7stage hybrid model for crisis intervention. It also comprise of the challenges of using this particular model to not only the crisis workers but also to the clients. Mainly, the challenges include maladaptation to the belief system and problems related to communication strategies.
References
Brown, S., (2007)., Counseling Victims of Violence. Alameda, CA: Hunter House Publications. (2nd edition)
Buda, B. (2008). Surviving Loss and Trauma After Suicide. Crisis: The Journal Of Crisis Intervention And Suicide Prevention, 29(2), 108-109. https://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910.29.2.107
Echterling, L.G., Presbury, H.H., & McKee, J.E. (2006) Crisis Intervention: Promoting resilience and resolution in troubled times. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Evans, D., Hearn, M., Uhlemann, M., Ivey,A. (2011) Essential Interviewing: A programmed approach to effective communication. Belmony, CA: Brooks/Cole. (8thedition)
James, R.K., Gilliland, B. E.,(2013) Crisis Intervention Strategies. Belmont, California: Brooks/Cole. (7th edition)
Kendra Cherry, (2016). Common Psychological Reactions to Traumatic Events. Retrieved on 6/1/2016 https://www.verywell.com/common-reactions-to-a-crisis-2795058
Myer, R., Lewis, J., & James, R. (2013). The Introduction of a Task Model for Crisis Intervention. Journal Of Mental Health Counseling, 35(2), 95-107. https://dx.doi.org/10.17744/mehc.35.2.nh322x3547475154
Walsh, F. (2007). Traumatic loss and major disasters: Strengthening family and community resilience, Family Process, 46, 207-227. Source: www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au
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