RESEARCH PAPER

ABOUT

MODELS OF CRISIS INTERVENTIONS

CRIMINOLOGY 6

(Ma’am Grace Sagun)

CRIMNOLOGY 2E:

o VELORIIA, ERICA ARMADA

o AGANON, ALEXANDER MINA
o BAUTISTA, CHRISTIAN PAUL DE LEON
o BULLANDAY, LEMUEL JAN TEGERERO
o ETRATA, STEPHEN ABAD
o JULIAN, MARK ANGELO DELA CRUZ
o PIDO, DEXTER MABUTING
o RODAS, MARK LOUIE FLORES
o LUMAGUE, FEDERICO GARCIA JR.
o HOMECILLO, RANILO SELNGA JR.
INTRODUCTION:

Crisis intervention is the most widely applied form of brief treatment used by mental health
practitioners. All crisis intervention and trauma treatment specialists are in agreement that before
intervening, a full assessment of the individual and the situation must take place.

(reference- https://www.aipc.net.au/articles/crisis-intervention-in-counselling-part-2/)

Numerous crisis response programs, services, approaches, and methods have been
developed to prevent, mitigate, and recover from the natural human stress reactions in the
aftermath of tragic events. All crisis intervention modalities have the same goals: to stabilize,
reduce symptoms, and return to adaptive functioning or to facilitate access to continued care.
Although there are some psychotherapy treatment methods that can be used appropriately for
crisis intervention and most crisis intervention techniques can be effectively used in treatment,
the methods presented here are in the context of crisis intervention, not treatment.

(reference- https://www.camft.org/Resources/Crisis-Response-education-and-Resources/Step-5-
Modalities )

BODY:

A Strategic Crisis Response planning is necessary for developing a comprehensive crisis

intervention plan before deployment and providing services. Knowing what sequence of crisis
intervention processes to use for which individuals or groups, at what times, and under what
circumstances is crucial to all effective early intervention programs. An effective strategic plan
identifies and assesses target populations and determines the types of interventions, when to
apply the interventions, and the resources available. Strategic planning and tactical decision-
making help determine one set of crisis intervention processes over another so the right choices
of interventions for the populations under specific circumstances are selected.

The crisis intervention strategic planning formula consists of six components:

I. THREAT is the event that may result in adverse reactions.

II. THEME are special conditions, which may modify the impact and response.
 III. TARGET are who should receive services.
IV. TYPE are what interventions, if any, should be used.
V. TIMING is when the interventions should be implemented, with what target groups.
VI. TEAM are the intervention resources available to be mobilized, for what target groups,
when.

(reference- http://icisf.org/strategic-response-to-crisis/ )

ABCD Crisis Intervention

Crisis Intervention helps resolve the immediate crisis and helps restore the victim to a
sense of normalcy or level of functioning

equal to or higher than prior to the crisis.

Achieve Contact – Provide safety and security, restore power and control

I. Introduce yourself, name, role, purpose.

II. Assure the victim of emotional and physical safety.
III. Ask victim how s/he would like to be addressed (if not known to caregiver).
IV. As appropriate, collect information regarding residency, health conditions, family member
contact, any support systems or friends.
V. Use discernment to learn if s/he is taking or needing medication.
VI. Identify the victim's feelings, reactions and perceptions.

Possible questions and comments: "You are safe now." "I am sorry that it happened." "Are you
ready to...?" "Are you able to...?''

"Are you ready to give a description now?'' "Do you mind if I sit here?'' ''May I speak with you
now?'' "Is this all right with you?''

Boil Down the Problem - Allow for reactions and interaction as well as ventilation and validation
by telling story; determine most

pressing problem and help to restore dignity

I. Ask victim to briefly describe what has just happened.

II. Encourage the victim to talk about the present (here and now).
III. Avoid criticism of the actions of the victim.
IV. Ask what the most pressing problem is.
V. Review and clarify what you heard as that primary and most immediate problem.
VI. Ask if the victim has ever experienced a similar situation or crisis in the past.
VII. Ask how it was handled. Consider how the victim can regain control and authority.
VIII. Review what you heard as the primary problem.
IX. Transition to "coping with the problem."

Possible questions/comments (if true and appropriate): "You did the right thing." ''You did nothing
wrong."

Cope with the Problem - Help predict and prepare for the future, explore re-sources and
suggest realistic options, accept a "new

normal" or "new reality." What does the victim want to happen?

I. Review what is the most important need-the bottom line

II. Explore what the victim feels is the best solution.
III. Help the victim formulate a plan of action: needed resources, specific actions and
timeline.
IV. Reaffirm the future and talk in hopeful terms.
V. Arrange follow-up contact or visit with the victim.
VI. Follow through!

Determine the Meaning of the Event - Assist in offering opportunities for restoration and hope,
and to find meaning in the

traumatic event

I. Assist in allowing the victim/ survivor to accept the reality and to experience the pain of
the loss.
II. Reassure the victim that s/he is not alone in suffering or in having fears.
III. Assist in accepting a new normal and new reality, and the under-standing or appreciation
of beliefs and assumptions about
our world.
IV. Allow questions about faith, God, spiritual issues. Address issues of forgiveness and
anger. Determine how the trauma fits
into the victim's life.
V. It may take some time for the victim to determine the meaning of the event.
VI. Help the victim/survivor withdraw emotional energy from the loss and reinvest it in other
relationships and other aspects of
life.

(reference- https://www.camft.org/Portals/0/PDFs/CRERC/STEP_5_ABCD.pdf?ver=2019-07-09-
122220-153 )

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

 CISM is considered comprehensive because it consists of multiple crisis intervention
components, which functionally span the entire temporal spectrum of a crisis. CISM interventions
range from the pre‐crisis phase through the acute crisis phase, and into the post ‐crisis phase.
CISM is also considered comprehensive in that it consists of interventions which may be applied
to individuals, small functional groups, large groups, families, organizations, and even
communities.

The 7 core components of CISM are defined below:

I. Pre‐crisis preparation. This includes stress management education, stress resistance,

and crisis mitigation training for both individuals and organizations.
II. Disaster or large‐scale incident, as well as, school and community support programs
including
III. demobilizations, informational briefings, “town meetings” and staff advisement.
IV. Defusing. This is a 3‐phase, structured small group discussion provided within hours of a
crisis for purposes of assessment, triaging, and acute symptom mitigation.
V. Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) refers to the “Mitchell model” (Mitchell and
Everly, 1996) 7‐phase, structured group discussion, usually provided 1 to 10 days’ post
crisis, and designed to mitigate acute symptoms, assess the need for follow ‐up, and if
possible provide a sense of post‐crisis psychological closure.
VI. One‐on‐one crisis intervention/counseling or psychological support throughout the full
range of the crisis spectrum.
VII. Family crisis intervention, as well as, organizational consultation.
VIII. Follow‐up and referral mechanisms for assessment and treatment, if necessary.

(reference- https://www.camft.org/Portals/0/PDFs/CRERC/STEP_5_CISM.pdf?ver=2019-07-09-
122219-950 )

Research indicates that CISM can be effective when two criteria are met: (1) that those who
conduct these interventions were specifically trained in the CISM model and, (2) that they
adhered to the model they were trained in. This includes applying the CISM model for those
populations for whom it is intended.

Development of Critical Incident Stress Management continues worldwide and is supported by

the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. The Foundation provides a broad level of
training both regionally, nationally, and internationally.

(reference- http://www.icisf.org/sections/education-training/ )

Psychological First Aid (PFA)

 Psychological First Aid may be thought of as a fundamental aspect of applied crisis intervention
and disaster mental health. PFA can help everyone (children, adolescents, adults, elders, families, and
communities) who has been exposed to a traumatic or emergency incident, including responders and
support service providers.

Psychological First Aid Tasks:

I. Provide a safe physical environment.

II. Supply basic first order needs such as water.
III. Reduce psychological stressors.
IV. Be a caring comforting presence.
V. Educate on common stress reactions.
VI. Empower by supporting strengths and encouraging existing coping skills.
VII. Provide connections to natural support networks.
VIII. Assess potential need to referral to the next level of care when needed.

Psychological First Aid Considerations:

I. PFA is not psychotherapy, nor is it a substitute for therapy.

II. Consider cultural determinants that may impact someone’s ability to receive service.
III. Assume you are dealing with normal people who are having normal reactions to an abnormal
event.

(reference- https://www.camft.org/Portals/0/PDFs/CRERC/STEP_5_PFA.pdf?ver=2019-07-09-122220-
153)

Psychological First Aid is a simple and practical tool that you can use to reduce stress levels. By
understanding your stress reactions and utilizing Psychological First Aid principles, you can enhance
resilience in yourself, family, and community.

(reference- http://www.nctsn.org/trauma-types/natural-disasters)

CONCLUSION:

This numerous crisis response programs, services, approaches, and methods as modalities in
crisis intervention aimed with tremendous positive outcome: It reduce the intensity of an individual's
emotional, mental, physical and behavioral reactions to a crisis. Helped individuals return to their level of
functioning before the crisis. Improved functioning above and beyond this by developing new coping skills
and eliminating ineffective ways of coping, such as withdrawal, isolation, and substance abuse. Assisting
individuals in coping with future difficulties more effectively.
(reference- https://www.csuci.edu/caps/crisis-intervention.)

In summary, crisis intervention provides the opportunity and mechanisms for change to those
who are experiencing psychological disequilibrium, who are feeling overwhelmed by their current
situation, who have exhausted their skills for coping, and who are experiencing personal discomfort.
Crisis intervention is a process by which a mental-health worker identifies, assesses, and intervenes with
the individual in crisis so as to restore balance and reduce the effects of the crisis in his/her life. The
individual is then connected with a resource network to reinforce the change.

(reference- https://www.counseling.org/Resources/Library/ERIC%20Digests/95-034.pdf)