The Phases Of Crisis Intervention
People react in many different ways to a crisis situation. Sometimes, the crisis sets off a cataclysmic series of unanticipated, inexplicable consequences, such as depression, over-eating, under-eating, changes in behavior, sleeplessness, anxiety, the inability to develop strong relationships with others, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, angry outbursts or some other dysfunction. To heal, a crisis intervention is needed. Intervention programs and techniques vary widely. Some people choose to attend one-on-one therapy, while others find strength in group therapy. Resources like self-empowerment seminars, joining organizations to actively take control, or medical intervention services are also accessible.
There are many situations when a crisis intervention is recommended, such as surviving suicide, rape, abuse, surviving a kidnapping, runaways, military discharge, or following the death of a loved one. These intervention services are available not only for the victims but for the loved ones as well. The support net is critical for a person’s recovery, although many of us weren’t born simply knowing the right things to say or do. An intervention program such as this is helpful in creating that strong foundation of family and friends that will ultimately provide the long-term therapy for the recovering victim.
There are generally three phases of a crisis intervention. The first of the intervention programs are designed as “psychological first aid.” Once a crisis occurs, the interventionist must establish rapport with the victim, gather information and rescue the victim from a current state of crisis. Immediate intervention also includes medical intervention if necessary, as well as addressing the mental health and personal needs of the victim. Home security, food and shelter can be arranged if needed. The sooner the victim is treated following a crisis, the better. The second of the intervention services are designed to assess the victim’s needs. Therapists will determine how the crisis is affecting the individual’s life so a recovery plan can be implemented. For instance, some people have trouble making new relationships following a crisis, whereas others may become suicidally depressed or may turn to binging, alcoholism or another vice to ease the pain. The good news is that all these reactions to a crisis can be treated to help the victim move towards the future. The third phase, called recovery interventions, helps victims to start fresh, re-stabilizing their lives again. Long-term therapy will help victims set up a health support net, maximize social services, renew self esteem and learn how to cope over the long haul.
It’s natural to feel nervous and apprehensive about calling in outside help. Families may fear rejection or resentment of their role in calling crisis intervention services. However, momentary anger or rejection from the victim can help prevent life-long mental health problems and part of the crisis intervention will be aimed at helping victims to overcome the negative feelings by reaching for more positive, productive goals, which should heal their attitude. Intervention services are structured as liaisons that will connect the victim to all available support services, whether a medical intervention or a psychological intervention is needed. There is also an emphasis on immediate stabilization, cost effectiveness and long-term support.
When To Best Consider Behavioral Interventions
Behavioral interventions come to the rescue to provide cost-effective assistance for parents of troubled adolescents. Perhaps your child is suffering from a lack of concentration or is exhibiting inappropriate behavior, as young as pre-school age. Or maybe a recent divorce, move or other event is affecting your child adversely. In the most serious cases, teens turn to drugs, alcohol, sex or violence to compensate for emotions they’re lacking. The best way to remedy the situation is to get help early, utilize all resources and have a family intervention to ensure a strong support system.
Often, children who need a behavioral intervention suffer from ADHD, autism, dyslexia or another pervasive developmental disorder. An early intervention program is the key to helping the child overcome natural difficulties and find studying techniques that work. The public school system generally only focuses on one particular learning mode, which leaves many students feeling “stupid” or frustrated.
By teaching the student more about their learning needs and focusing on self-empowerment, as well as skill development, the students will begin to learn their way at their own pace and will develop a renewed interest in school. A behavioral intervention can do more than just prevent anger or hyperactive outbursts in school. It can pave the way for your child’s future and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment.
However, a behavioral intervention can also help stop more serious patterns of behavior by attacking the mental framework that drives the individual to act out. For example, behavioral interventions may be used to reduce sexually transmitted diseases in teens. A recent intervention study showed that teens benefited from interventions aimed at reducing the risk of STDs. “In a previous randomized controlled trial, we found that the ‘Sexual Awareness For Everyone’ behavioral intervention significantly reduced the rate of recurrent gonorrhea and chlamydia infections among reproductive-age Mexican-American and African-American women,” wrote Andrea Ries Thurman, MD, from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center San Antonio. The five modifiable behaviors the group focused on were: unprotected sex with untreated partners, lack of monogamy, sex without condoms, partner turnover more than once every three months and douching after intercourse.
The human mind is a complex and mysterious thing. Sometimes behavioral outbursts correlate with deep-seated emotions and events from our past in ways we can’t even understand. Sometimes we feel trapped in our own repetitive cycles and we need an experienced interventionist to help us navigate our own minds, desires, perceptions and goals to find our way out again. Whether it’s for you or your child, behavioral interventions can be your greatest asset for moving ahead into a more successful, happier future.