Transcript anger
Unit 7: Crisis Management
Assignments due:
Seminar
Discussion Board
Unit 7
Managing Crises: Violence, Self
Harm and Anger
What is a crisis??
Crisis
…Client’s ‘emotional reactions to a situation, not
the situation itself’.
… Reactions to a range of external or internal events
may immobilize their normal coping capacities.
… Feelings and discussion of suicide may occur.
Sources of Crisis
Dispositional Crises
- Temperament, personal attributes
Developmental Crises
- Life changes and transitions
Trauma
- Unexpected death, injury or violence
Resilience
Why do some people seem to bounce back
from negative experiences better than
others?
What factors influence coping skills?
How to Help in Crisis
Show empathy in responses. Clients in crisis situations cope best
when they know their feelings and perceptions are understood
Immediate matters take priority over long term issues.
Stabilize the client through focusing on coping strengths.
The miracle question may have limited application in crisis.
Be realistic! Offer practical support only if client can handle.
When coping capacities are absent, hospitalization may be
necessary.
Crises may uncover opportunities for further work on grief or life
management issues.
Crisis work requires good referral sources!
Violence and Harm to Self/Others
Young adults18-30 most commonly associated
with violence
Men more likely violent toward others
Women more likely violent to self
Challenging clients to see their strengths is a
key feature of a strengths approach
Suicidal Risk for Clients
History of previous attempts
depression,
sleep disruption
feelings of hopelessness
helplessness
Background of alcohol or drug abuse increases the risk
of self-harm and suicide, as may other forms of
psychiatric illness
Address threats seriously
Suicide
Warning Signs of Acute Risk:
Threatening to hurt or kill
him or herself, or talking of
wanting to hurt or kill
him/herself; and/or,
Looking for ways to kill
him/herself by seeking access
to firearms, available pills, or
other means; and/or,
Talking or writing about death,
dying or suicide, when these
actions are out of the
ordinary.
Easy Mnemonic Device
Isolation
Substance abuse
Purposelessness
Anxiety
Trapped
Hopelessness
Withdrawal
Anger
Recklessness
Mood changes
American Association of Suicidology. (2011). Knowing the warning
signs. Retrieved January 31, 2011, from
http://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/stats-and-tools/warning-signs
Additional warning signs!!
Increased substance (alcohol or drug) use
No reason for living; no sense of purpose in
life
Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping
all the time
Feeling trapped - like there’s no way out
Hopelessness
Withdrawal from friends, family and society
Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities,
seemingly without thinking
Dramatic mood changes.
Duty to Warn
Sensitive collaboration is required to explain
professionals mandated obligations
It is essential to be familiar with national and/or
state guidelines on mandatory reporting
Requirements on warning and/or reporting can
conflict with practitioner and client
expectations about confidentiality
An honest approach will be less damaging to
trust than if covert actions follow
Safety Plans for Professionals
Risks faced by counselors include physical isolation,
dangerous premises, some clients being seen without prescreening, neglect of safety by counselors and managers
It is suggested that in meeting all clients for the first time
there is some protective plan in place and certainly so
when the client has a known background of violence.
Have exit plan at all times.
If observed, seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health
professional or calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for a referral.
Angry Clients
Set clear boundaries but do not reject
Address the anger non-aggressively
Anger is cathartic only if a sense of
control is gained from its expression
Anger management may be a key feature
of interviewing work with some clients
and duty of care issues may relate to
domestic violence
Hands On
Think about a time when you felt like you
were in crisis?
What were your immediate needs?
What helped you?