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ESSAY PAPER
Elizabeth A. Jackson
Liberty University
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With an example, consider the differences between crisis counseling strategies and
psychotherapy.
“There are not much difference between crisis counseling strategies and psychotherapy.
Crisis counseling is a focusing on the emotional, cognitive, and behavior ramifications of the
crisis. It is usually done by providers with formal preparation in counseling techniques, and
Psychotherapy is a helping process, brief or over a longer term, directed toward changing a
person’s feeling’s and patterns of thought and behavior.” (Hoff and Hallisey, 2009) Crisis
intervention is related to but differs from psychotherapy. Thus, for example, a primary care
provider whose assessment of a patient reveals high risk for suicide would arrange immediate
referral to an agency’s 24/7 crisis service or to a mental health specialist on call.
Psychotherapists, on the other hand, who face a similar high risk situation typically, are
prepared to integrate the crisis intervention process into an established therapy contract (Hoff &
Morgan). We should not regard crisis intervention as a panacea for all social, emotional, and
mental problems. While crisis care is not synonymous with psychotherapy, some techniques,
such as listening and catharsis, are used in both, nor is crisis intervention intended only for poor
people reserving psychotherapy for the financially secure.
Psychotherapists treats those who wishes to correct neurotic personality or behavior
patterns, the service goals are to work through unconscious conflicts , reconstruct behavior and
personality patterns, grow personally and socially. service methods are Psychotherapist’s
introspection catharsis interpretation free association. The length of service is usually long term
and its beliefs about people are individualistic or social (depends on philosophy of therapist
whereas crisis intervention treats individuals and families in crises or precrisis state; service
goals are to promote growth, promote personal and social integration. It’s service method is
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social and environmental manipulation; it focus on feelings and problem solving; possible use of
use of medication to promote goals and decision counseling. The length of service is short term,
usually 6 session or fewer. Crisis intervention beliefs about people, social, people are capable of
growth and self-mastery.
Considering the “dangers” of a full-blown crisis state, why is it important to understand the
commonalities and differences between crisis intervention and psychotherapy, especially in
working with a client whose values beliefs are different than our own?
“The importance of knowing the differences between crises intervention and
psychotherapy is making the correct diagnosis on what type of treatment is needed. Whereas
crisis in a clinical context, refers to an acute emotional upset arising from situational,
developmental, or sociocultural sources and resulting in a temporary inability to cope by means
of one’s usual problem-solving devices. A crisis does not last long and is self-limiting.” (Huff &
Hallisey 2009). A successful crisis intervention involves helping people take advantage of the
opportunity and avoid the danger inherent in crisis. Our success in this task may hinge on our
values and beliefs about the nature of the person experiencing the crisis. In crisis work this is the
juncture point that presents great challenges and involves a twofold task.
The first task is for the individual client that we encounter today or anytime, then we “
must uncover what is unique about that person’s definition of and response to critical life events
and secondly, among the observations we make about the client(s), and without
overgeneralizing, we must ascertain what he or she has in common with other people worldwide
who have suffered a loss, serious illness or catastrophic events such as torture or disaster ” (p. 19)
“Whatever our ethnic or culture identity, we should never assume that even with extensive study
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and exposure, we can even be fully knowledgeable about people whose culture and beliefs ar
different from others. (p. 20) ”
Identify the major factors contributing to the victim-rescuer persecution triangle and what
strategies can be used to avoid enmeshment in the triangle.
“Victim-rescuer persecution triangle is better known as the “Three Faces of Victim.” To
better understand this triangle, “it is a relationship between two people that is depending upon
the third person in order to maintain the status quo.” (Dunn 2006 p. 19) It is stated that, “The
victim-rescuer-persecutor syndrome occurs frequently in human relationships of all kinds and is
common in many helping relationships.”(Haley, 1969; James & Jongeward, 1971; McKinlay,
1990 p. 130). “People view as victims are not rescued easily, so counselors who try it are
usually frustrated when their efforts fail.”
Research show, that people who are viewed as the victim are not resued easily, so the
counselors who try it are usually frustrated when their efforts fail. As we look at the major
factors we examine Rescuer role; The rescuer cannot be enacted without a complementary
“victim,” may suggest provider’s excessive: need to be needed,” and impedes growth and
empowerment of client. Whereas the victim’s role is threatens basic need for self-mastery and
self-detemination, even if overt message is demand for rescue, more help covertly leads to
resentment and role switch to “persecutor.” (Huff & Hallisey 2009 p. 131) The practice
implications are; emphasize self-awareness and focus on empathy versus sympathy, conduct
data-based assessment of client’s actual needs, provide neither more or less than needed,
promote interdependence (versus excessive dependence or independence), and avoid power and
control tactics. (Hoff, 2009, p. 131)
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Conclusion
Within this essay, we crisis counseling strategies and psychotherapy, major factors
contributing to the victim-rescuer persecution triangle and what strategies can be used to avoid
enmeshment in the triangle and major factors contributing to the victim-rescuer persecution
triangle and what strategies can be used to avoid enmeshment in the triangle. The purpose is to
identify the difference the responsibilities and the most important, making a correct diagnosis of
what form of treatment would be needed. In my personal life have seen misdiagnosis by a
professional clinician of problems my daughter was having. It is very important for correct
assessments to be done on every client and not just assume what the problem may be.
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Reference
Hoff, L.A., Hallisey, B.J., and Hoff, M. (2009). People in crisis: Clinical and diversity
perspectives, 6th ed. New York, Routledge.
Dunn, T. (2006). Triangulation and the misuse of power: A dance of victims, villains, and
rescuers. Human Development 27
Robin, M., Bronchard, M., and Kannas, S. (2008). Ambulatory care provision versus first
admission to psychiatric hospital: 5 year follow up. Social psychiatry.
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ESSAY PAPER
Elizabeth A. Jackson
Liberty University
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Why should clinicians and others take seriously even a low-lethality type of suicide attempt? Or
are such attempts really just “gestures”?
We need to understand that, whether low-lethality or high lethality suicide attempt, all
must be taken seriously. Today Suicide and its attempts are viewed as a major public health
problem in today’s society. A large number of people who committed suicide had a history of
trying to attempting suicide, therefore all types of suicide threats and self-injury to be taken is
seriously.
Suicide is considered as a “Self Destructive behavior.” Farberow (1990) “describes a -
self-destructive behavior as or includes any action by which a person emotionally, socially, and
physically damages or ends his or her life.” He further goes to say, “Broadly, the spectrum of
self-destructiveness include biting nails, pulling hair, scratching, cutting one’s wrist, swallowing
toxic substance or harming object, smoking cigarettes, banging one’s head, abusing alcohol and
other drugs, etc.” (Farberow) Even if Low-lethality type of suicide attempts do not seem to be a
“life threatening situation,” because it may consider of wrist cutting, nonprescription drugs and
tranquilizers it should still be considered seriously.
Suicide attempts are “gestures.” They are signs of some type of mental illness, and
crises that is going. When suicide attempts are not successful, it is believed be society that the
behavior needs not to be taken seriously, or even the person is “seek attention.” People who
attempt suicide are in a state of acute crisis, in difference to some who are chronically self-
destructive and now experience a very high degree of emotional turmoil.
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Identify a situation in which a danger of suicide was suspected. What was done or not done in
response, and what were the reasons why. As usual, we do not want you discussing anyone or
any facility by name or even in a potentially identifiable fashion.
A young lady whom we will refer to as Mary, age 21 made a attempt to commit suicide
by swallowing 8 sleeping pills. In some medical terms, this was not a serious suicide attempt,
although Mary did contemplated death, she also wanted to live. Mary hoped that the attempt of
suicide would bring about some changes in her unhappy family life, so that she could avoid the
last resort of suicide itself. Before Mary’s suicide attempt, she was having trouble in school, she
was a -a-away and Mary also began to experiment with alcohol and drugs. During the same run
time she engaged in which her parents disapproved of. Along with all these behaviors, Mary was
actually saying, “Don’t or can’t you see that I am unhappy with my life that I am completely out
of control, I just cannot go on with my life anymore, I am at the end of my rope. For eight
years, Mary had been very upset with her parents. She felt her parents were playing favorites
with the children. Mary’s father was an alcoholic and away from home a great deal of time.
Mary school counselor recommended counseling for the entire family, but the family refused
because of embarrassment. In evaluating Mary’s behavior, it was a cry for help. It was after
Mary’s attempt to commit suicide that her parents received counseling, which Mary’s complete
attitude changed and there were no further attempts of suicide upon her life.
In looking at this case study, if Mary had not gotten the help she needed, she most likely
would have continued to go down the road of suicide. The usual pattern in many cases is that the
suicide attempt would have become medically more serious. That person becomes more
desperate and finally they commit the unthinkable which is suicide. But in helping the unsure
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person move in the direction of life is done by understanding and responding to the meaning of
the person’s behavior.
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In sociocultural perspective, identify factors that may contribute to youth suicides in wealthy
societies like the United States and Canada.
In today’s socioculture, youth suicide is on the high in the United States and Canada.
This is a serious public health problem which is running through young people or youth between
the ages of 10 to 24. (CDC 2014) It is noted that suicide in the third leading cause of death.
From suicide, approximately 4600 lives is lost each year. The highest suicide rate comes from
three top methods, which are firearms (45%), suffocation (40%), and poisoning (8%). (CDC)
Research shows that youth suicide is related to other problems.
These problems are substance abuse which includes alcohol, violence against others, a
history of previous suicide attempts. In other of studies, family history of suicide is another
factor towards youth suicide. A history of depression or other mental illness, exposure to the
suicidal behavior of other and incarceration. (CDC) Other research says, “The tragedy of
suicide among ethnic minority and Native groups in U.S. society is often hidden behind the
predominant of the white majority. Consideration of context and culture in their full complexity
is essential in suicide prevention among specific ethnic groups. A study with young Native
Americans revealed that most participants did not seek help because of the lack of perceived
need for help, embarrassment and stigma, and feelings of loneliness, fear and hopeless.” (Hoff)
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Reference
Lee Ann Hoff, Bonnie Joyce Hallisey, Miracle Hoff People in Crisis: Clinical and (2009)
Diversity Perspectives Taylor & Franci ;
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control,
Division of Violence Prevention
