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Introduction
A variety of professionals have proposed definitions for the term crisis. The most poignant was developed by Gerald Caplan, who stated that it is an obstacle that is insurmountable by conventional techniques used in problem-solving (Kanel, 2019). It is characterized by a precipitating event that prompts the perception of a threat which causes emotional distress and the failure of coping mechanisms. These features inform a therapist’s strategy as they attempt to restore normalcy. Helping individuals address acute and chronic crises in addition to the resultant psychological, emotional, vocational, and financial needs is the essence of crisis intervention.
The Development of Crisis Intervention
Crisis intervention developed as professionals searched for solutions to various life-threatening events. For instance, an attempt to prevent individuals with suicidal ideation from harming themselves prompted the search for lasting solutions. This was the result of Caplan’s theory and the social-activist mentality that characterized the 1960s (Kanel, 2019). Movements aimed at addressing varied crises emerge when a critical mass of affected individuals unites because of the absence of a formal system designed to address their needs. Grassroots movements such as the women’s movement, alcoholics anonymous, and the Vietnam veterans contribute to the advancement of contemporary crisis intervention.
The development of crisis intervention was marked by specific landmark events. In 1942, the Coconut Grove nightclub fire prompted the need to employ non-professionals to offer counseling services (Kanel, 2019). Between 1946 and 1964, there was a rise in thalidomide-related birth complications as well as the calamitous effects of the Second World War, and in the 1950s, the introduction of psychotropic medications facilitated the deinstitutionalization of mentally ill individuals (Kanel, 2019). The 1960s saw the publication of professional journals that sparked interest in crisis intervention, and grassroots movements increasingly used professionals to address vital issues affecting the community (Kanel, 2019). The 1970s witnessed an increase in the number of institutions focused on teaching psychology and crisis intervention (Kanel, 2019). However, there was a progressive shift to long-term mental health counseling as managed care took over the medical field. The desire to alleviate human suffering was the foundation upon which the crisis intervention strategies used in contemporary clinical practice were built.
Theories Related to Crisis Intervention
It is essential to consider sociological, developmental, ecological, situational, and ecological factors when assessing susceptibility to the pathological symptoms associated with the crisis. These perspectives are addressed in a number of theories that explain human behavior during a crisis. One such theory is the psychoanalytic theory proposed by Sigmund Freud. He surmised that psychic energy is finite, and each individual has access to a limited amount (Kanel, 2019). This helps explain the imbalance experienced by people whose coping mechanisms fail when they experience the depletion of psychological energy. In addition, it provides clues as to why individuals with psychiatric conditions handle crises poorly. In the management of individuals in crises, it is wise to evaluate the affected individual’s ego strength and take over its function (Kanel, 2019). This is because personality disorders and psychotic conditions require the use of psychic energy to deal with past traumas, which leaves the patient incapable of coping with a crisis.
The existential theory has contributed immensely to the advancement of crisis intervention. The theory proposes that anxiety is an elemental aspect of existence and can be used to facilitate self-development (Kanel, 2019). In essence, the absence of anxieties occasioned by new life events would impede individual growth. Therefore, anxiety serves as motivation for risk-taking behavior and individual growth. The belief that all human beings must suffer at one point in life supports the idea that misery can strengthen people. In addition, the theory emphasizes the acceptance of personal responsibility, which focuses the individual’s attention on the choices that precipitated the crisis (Kanel, 2019). These viewpoints help reframe the situation for an individual in crisis, thus alleviating the associated adverse effects.
Ethical Considerations
Ethical practice is important when dealing with individuals in crisis in view of the fact that they often seek help in a state of instability and disequilibrium. Mental health professionals must practice therapeutic self-awareness, which refers to an individual’s reliance on their values, emotions, behavior, and opinions (Kanel, 2019). It is essential to maintain honesty when dealing with a crisis in order to help the client navigate their psychological processes and personal dynamics. This is vital because it helps a therapist avoid countertransference with their client, which occurs when the professional’s emotions are triggered as a result of a past unresolved event. The right to detain a patient is an ethical issue that impacts the effectiveness of services delivered. The Supreme Court prohibits states from detaining non-dangerous individuals who are capable of surviving by themselves or with other people’s help (Kanel, 2019). It is essential to consider the law because it ensures that practitioners offer services in the most ethical manner possible.
Conclusion
A crisis often results in emotional distress when coping mechanisms fail to help affected individuals cope with the situation. Crisis intervention was developed as a result of the social-activist mentality and the growth of grassroots movements. The psychoanalytic theory and the existential theory offer insight into human behavior during a crisis. It is vital to note that ethical principles such as self-awareness facilitate the delivery of quality services. A professional’s ability to help their clients to address psychological, emotional, vocational, and financial challenges associated with crises is essential in crisis intervention.
Reference
Kanel, K. (2019). A guide to crisis intervention (6th ed.). MindTap.
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