How do you choose a crisis intervention model?

If you are in a situation where you are tasked with intervention, then the most important thing to remember is that you aren't in crisis. They are. You are the grounding component, so over inserting into their crisis removes you from the solution. A crisis is when the individual's coping mechanism is overwhelmed. In other words, they are using the survival part of the brain. Logic and reasoning are not being utilized by the person in crisis. As the interventionist, you have the luxury of critical thinking, logical thought, and a bird's eye view. You also must be aware of your own biases and how that can cause your objectivity to become subjective. Self-awareness is crucial to helping another. Again - It's not your crisis.

Absolutely, as a peer support worker, it's crucial to leverage your lived experience and recovery journey to connect with and support your clients effectively. However, maintaining a clear understanding of your scope of practice and recognizing your boundaries and limitations is equally important. Knowing when to refer or collaborate with other professionals ensures the best care for your clients. Additionally, selecting a crisis intervention model that aligns with your role, training, and comfort level is essential. It's important to choose one that suits your context and expertise, allowing you to provide the most valuable assistance to those in need.

It’s important that crisis intervention models have a high level of fidelity in terms of theoretical infrastructure and delivery. The CRISIS Schema is a new evolutionary crisis intervention system which is applicable in many contexts. It is a risk-based approach designed to provide an active opportunity to integrate a critical incident by augmenting natural learning processes. The model rests upon six core elements: Communication Risk Integration Safety Information Support CRISIS is entirely person centred, and highly effective.

It's important to determine the needs of the client. Crises by definition are moments in time and intervention models should be chosen based on the needs. If its not a solution to an immediate need, perhaps considering long term options is better for the client. Additionally adding complexities of developmental crises will now require the need to address and understand the developmental disability to be able to recognize the need for a shift in strategy. Generally listening, maintaining self-control, and composure will get through the crisis spike, but determining the best course moving forward is subject to the cause and contributing factors of the crisis and individual.

The relationship and rapport you build with your client are foundational in crisis intervention. The choice of a crisis intervention model should complement your ability to connect and communicate effectively. Ultimately, the model you choose should enhance your ability to establish a strong therapeutic alliance with your client. The strength of this relationship can greatly influence the success of crisis intervention by creating an environment in which your client feels safe, understood, and supported.

Your relationship with your client is greatly enhanced if a non-analytical, non-interpretative, and non-diagnostic approach is adopted and maintained throughout the intervention. Interpretation and assertion of new realities often serve only to overwhelm and confuse clients in distress.

It's important to consider that rapport is a byproduct of trust and connection. If an individual experiences both in the workplace, it provides the psychological safety needed for informal conversations and check-ins with peers, which can serve as a combination of early warning and preventative/pre-emptive support. Models are great for informing decisions about resource allocation for processes at a macro/systems level, but they're often too rigid to support the development of organic interactions

As a specialist service provider in the mental health spectrum, the purpose of any intervention must be in providing a successful outcome. This is often through signposting to a suitable form of support. If that form of support is to signpost to a GP, the NHS or even an EAP, there will be potential waiting times before appointments or an offer of limited therapy that is not designed or capable of delivering the outcome you require. I don't know, for example, any peer mentoring training courses that inform attendees about different types of therapies, so they are left to do that research themselves, or trust that 'Talking Therapies will deliver. Research your subject then make informed decisions to maximise efficiency and outcome.

The most important goals and outcomes in crisis intervention are those of the person in crisis. Order is governed by control, and thus the crisis intervention model should facilitate empowerment at every stage.