Crisis Intervention: Definition, History, and Characteristics
Crisis intervention is a type of psychological treatment that focuses on helping individuals manage and resolve acute psychological distress and emotional turmoil. The goal of crisis intervention is to provide short-term therapeutic assistance to individuals in order to prevent further psychological deterioration or suicide. Crisis intervention is a distinct form of treatment, as it is designed to intervene in a single event or series of related events that constitute a crisis.
Definition
Crisis intervention is a type of short-term psychological treatment designed to provide immediate support to a person in crisis. It is an action-oriented approach that is focused on helping individuals manage and resolve acute psychological distress and emotional turmoil. Crisis intervention is designed to intervene in a single event or series of related events that constitute a crisis. It is intended to provide support, guidance, and assistance in addressing the issue at hand and preventing further psychological deterioration or suicide.
History
Crisis intervention has its roots in the work of early psychologists, such as Sigmund Freud, who developed psychoanalytic theories of mental illness. The modern field of crisis intervention is largely attributed to the work of American psychologist Gerald Caplan. In the 1950s, Caplan wrote about the importance of providing support and assistance to individuals in crisis situations. He also developed the concept of “brief psychotherapy,” which emphasized the use of short-term approaches in providing therapeutic assistance.
Since then, crisis intervention has grown into a distinct field of psychological treatment. In the 1970s, the field expanded to include the development of specialized crisis intervention teams that provide assistance to individuals in crisis. Today, crisis intervention is widely used in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, social services, and law enforcement.
Characteristics
Crisis intervention is characterized by several key elements. First, it is an action-oriented approach that focuses on helping individuals manage and resolve acute psychological distress and emotional turmoil. Second, it is a short-term approach that is designed to intervene in a single event or series of related events that constitute a crisis. Third, it is focused on providing immediate support and assistance to individuals in crisis situations. Finally, it is intended to prevent further psychological deterioration or suicide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, crisis intervention is a type of short-term psychological treatment designed to provide immediate support to a person in crisis. It is an action-oriented approach that is focused on helping individuals manage and resolve acute psychological distress and emotional turmoil. Crisis intervention has its roots in the work of early psychologists, such as Sigmund Freud, and has been developed into a distinct field of psychological treatment that is widely used in a variety of settings.
References
Caplan, G. (1964). Principles of preventive psychiatry. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Kanel, K., & Gifford, S. (2008). Crisis intervention: Theory and methodology (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Kellett, S., & Maggs, P. (Eds.). (2017). The handbook of crisis intervention and psychological trauma. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2015). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (7th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.