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Elements of Crisis Intervention Paper
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Abstract
Crisis intervention is relevant to helping people who are experiencing severe
psychological reactions at the moment. Crisis intervention is the focus of this paper, with
references to the historical background of how its theoretical approaches were incorporated. It
pinpoints a relationship between the cognitive behavioural theory (CBT) and the systems theory
and bestows sample applications of them in crisis management. CBT is applied for individual
cognitive restructuring and is therefore suitable for single, personal emergencies like anxiety and
depression. On the same note, systems theory takes into account more expansive environments.
This fact makes it possible to address mass crises, such as calamities that affect all the members
of a community, such as floods.
The ABC Model's information concerning various crises—to natural disasters and
personal trauma—also illustrates the method of contact, analysis of the issue to its core and
coping strategies. There is also a section that addresses the codes of ethics and the law that
practitioners should adhere to, such as confidentiality and informed consent and the client's duty
to warn and mandate reporting as well. Thus, the given paper emphasizes complementary views
on the nature of crisis intervention by pointing out the diverse aspects of an integrative crisis
management approach that addresses an individual and a system in need. This integrative
strategy facilitates an empowering practitioner's response to clients and communities in their
coping with the most vulnerable and threatening conditions and provides meaningful short- and
long-term recovery.
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Crisis intervention plays an essential role in identifying, addressing and supporting
people who are experiencing a sudden onset of severe psychological problems. This practice has
undergone many transformations and involves different theoretical and modelling systems. This
paper researches and analyzes the development of crisis intervention, analyzes and compares
cognitive-behavioural theory and systems theory, and explains steps in the ABC model for
different crises. Besides, it provides information regarding the ethical and legal implications to
be observed by the practitioners in providing relevant and appropriate intervention. Familiarity
with such factors provides the required knowledge for practitioners to support people and assist
them in overcoming critical situations.
Development of Crisis Intervention
The methods involved in crisis intervention have changed with the changes in the
societies that people live in. Initially, it addressed people's crises, often acute psychological
suffering. It has, however, assimilated more systematic methods and theoretical models in its
later phases to increase its efficiency. Some of the significant landmarks are hotlines and crisis
centers set up in the 1960s, which made it possible to get support right away (Mediavilla et al.,
2023). Psychological theories and the creation of specific intervention models, such as the ABC
Model, have enriched the crisis intervention strategies and improved them when applied in
different facilities, healthcare centers, and in response to emergencies.
Comparison of Two Theories Related to Crisis Intervention
1. Cognitive-Behavioral Theory
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works with how a person thinks, how they feel, and
what they do. It presupposes that the shift in the cognitive processes implies a shift in affectivity
and behaviour. Therefore, in crisis intervention, CBT assists the client in challenging his/her
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negative attitudes and maintaining a rational thought pattern, avoiding further emotional states
that can cause further deterioration of the client's physical and emotional well-being. Concerning
the treatment of personal crises, such as anxiety and depression, this theory is helpful as it offers
definite methods of how to handle stress and build up positive outlooks (Sellnow & Seeger,
2021).
2. Systems Theory
Thus, systems theory focuses on an individual as a component of a more extensive
system – a family, community or organization. It focuses on the relationships and transactions
within these systems and how they affect behaviour. In crisis intervention, Systems Theory
assists the professional in comprehending the environmental setting of the crisis. Thus, this
approach is practical in the cases of community-wide crises, including natural disasters, which
may impact different aspects and involve various actors (Sellnow & Seeger, 2021).
Comparison
Cognitive Behavioural Theory (CBT) and System Theory are vital in managing crisis
intervention, and each possesses unique qualities. CBT involves the cognitive processes of any
person to help shift their thinking pattern and also relieve feelings of psychological discomfort.
This makes it especially useful in treating individual crises such as anxiety and or depression
where cognitive restructuring has to be done on one person. On the other hand, systems theory
addresses the issues from a broader perspective, considering factors such as family, community,
and organizational factors. This model is most useful in community-wide calamities requiring
managing different components. The synthesis of the CBT and systems theory paradigms of
understanding by integrating the psychological view of individual cognition with the systems
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perspective gives a holistic view that improves the adequacy of the intervention procedures
throughout various crises.
Application of the ABC Model in Two Different Crisis Situations
Crisis Situation 1: Natural Disaster
The ABC Model can work very effectively for a natural disaster, specifically a hurricane.
First, Achieving contact (A) means reaching out to the campaign's target audience and providing
instant comfort and assurance to prevent further deterioration of patients' feelings and develop
rapport. Subsequently, analysis that leads to evaluating boiling down the problem (B) involves
coming up with the essential services that such persons require in the short-term, for instance,
safety, a place to live, and access to prompt medical attention, while recognizing that these
should be done with regards to the most urgent needs among them. Lastly, coping (C) entails
identifying and mobilizing resources and support for needed resources and teaching coping
mechanisms, such as social support mobilization and engaging in communal reestablishment
(Vega et al., 2021).
Crisis Situation 2: Personal Trauma
The ABC Model is also used in a personal trauma situation, like the case of the death of a
loved one. Achieving Contact (A) entails forming a rapport with the person and helping the
patient to work through his or her feelings and losses. Breaking it down (B) refers to the
necessity of identifying significant psychological issues that occurred following the loss and may
include the sensations of loneliness, for instance, or anger. Coping (C) refers to forming ways on
how the individual would be in a position to grab hold of the severe loss through counsel,
support group, developing new patterns, etc., although respecting appropriate coping strategies
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such as talking over the feelings and how they could celebrate the life of the dead person (Vega
et al., 2021).
Ethical Considerations of Crisis Intervention
Ethical concerns when handling a crisis intervention event are vital. These include the
requirements to respect confidentiality, to gain consent, and to exercise non-maleficence. For
instance, ensuring the individual's privacy means they are comfortable presenting their
experiences without being discriminated against. Informed consent requires that the client be
informed of the procedure to be taken and he/she agrees to it.
The last main factor is adventurous legal elements, which are involved in the process,
too. For instance, the duty to warn entails that practitioners break the patient's confidentiality if
the patient does either of the following: endanger himself or herself. The mandatory reporting
laws put into practice entail setting up guidelines that compel practitioners to report cases of
abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities (Chenneville & Schwartz-Mette, 2020). These ethical
and legal aspects allow for appropriate crisis intervention and preventing harm to others.
In conclusion, Crisis intervention has taken the central stage in dealing with complicated
circumstances. Thus, practitioners can be helpful by analyzing its creation, comparing several
essential theories, and using the ABC Model. The ethical rules and legal regulations guaranteed
are adopted to maintain ethical practice and the welfare of individuals in crisis. This model
ensures that the client's basic needs are met and also focuses on the recovery process and
building of resilience needed by the clients in periods of crisis; this demonstrates the rationale
behind informed crisis intervention in helping the clients when they are most vulnerable.
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References
Mediavilla, R., Felez-Nobrega, M., McGreevy, K. R., Monistrol-Mula, A., Bravo-Ortiz, M. F.,
Bayón, C., ... & Ayuso-Mateos, J. L. (2023). Effectiveness of a mental health stepped-
care program for healthcare workers with psychological distress in crisis settings: a
multicenter randomized controlled trial.EBMJ Ment Health,E26(1).
Sellnow, T. L., & Seeger, M. W. (2021).ETheorizing crisis communication. John Wiley & Sons.
Vega, L. A., Zamora, R., Lee, Y., Estrada-Rodriguez, Z., Rhodes, S., Mun, T., & Watson, J.
(2021). Using Social Psychology’s ABC Triad to Transcend Trauma: Improving on the
Homeostatic State.EJournal of Rehabilitation Practices and Research,E2(2), 122-128.
Chenneville, T., & Schwartz-Mette, R. (2020). Ethical considerations for psychologists in the
time of COVID-19.EAmerican Psychologist,E75(5), 644.
