Crisis Management Counselling
Dec 23, 2015
Crisis Management Counselling
Need to understand crisis and its management??The IDU faces number of
problems in day-to-day life- most solved by himself or with help of family members*
Certain situations are intense and unexpected and◦Can precipitate crisis◦Are out of client’s capacity to deal
with◦Require professional help
What is CrisisA temporary state of
◦emotional turmoil and disorganization
◦following a very sudden and significant stressful situation
Cannot be resolved by client alone
Crisis Situations*What situations precipitate crisis in
client’s life?
CRISIS
Personal
Financial
Occupational
Health
Drugs-related
Legal
Crisis Situations*SITUATIONS EXAMPLES OF TYPES OF CRISIS
Personal Situation Spouse leaving home; divorce notice; being thrown out of the house; violence at home; sudden death in family; death of a friend with whom injections were used/shared
Financial Loss of significant amount of money/assets; accumulated debts leading to a crisis
Occupational Situation
Being thrown out of the job; violence at work-place
Health-related Becoming aware of HIV+ status; developing a physical illness
Legal Facing legal action
Drug-related Sudden decrease in availability of usual dose of drugs; overdose; injection-related injury/infection
Stages of Crisis*
Role of counsellor*Be available and
supportiveActively listen to
client’s storyDo NOT blame the
clientExpress empathyGenrate resources Address unrealistic
expectations of client from counsellor (if any)
counselling Techniques
Providing support to client• Being empathic• Listen• Talk in calm and re-assuring way
• Instill hope
Counselling TechniquesFacilitating emotional expression*• Client is facing many negative emotions
• Encourage clients to share their feelings
Counselling Techniques
Ensure safety of client• Client vulnerable to
cause harm to self/others
• Assess for thoughts related to • Self-harm• Harming others
counselling Techniques
Defining the problem• Conceptualize problem from client’s point of view
• Reflect back to the client
Counselling Techniques
Defining the problem (cont…)
• REMEMBER:• Ask open-ended
questions• Don’t ask too many
questions together• Avoid using “WHY”*• Avoid embarrassing
questions
Counselling Techniques
Defining the problem (cont…)
• Areas to be explored:• What is the problem?• Who all are contributing
to it?• When did it happen?• What made it happen?• How can it be handled?
Counselling Techniques
Facilitating problem-solving behavior• Teach problem-solving strategy
Counselling TechniquesFacilitating problem-solving behavior*
Defining the
problem
Brainstorm all
possible solutions
Re-evaluate
Evaluate and
implement best
solution
Counselling TechniquesFacilitating problem-solving behavior*
Defining the
problem
Brainstorm all
possible solutions
Re-evaluate
Evaluate and
implement best
solution
Counselling TechniquesFacilitating problem-solving behavior*
Defining the
problem
Brainstorm all
possible solutions
Re-evaluate
Evaluate and
implement best
solution
Counselling TechniquesFacilitating problem-solving behavior*
Defining the
problem
Brainstorm all
possible solutions
Re-evaluate
Evaluate and
implement best
solution
Other services…Keep a directory of referral
services (e.g. legal aid, intensive medical care)
Talk to family members, employers… if need be
Facilitate generation of possible resources
SummaryIDU is vulnerable to crisis at any
point
Crisis is a temporary phase and timely intervention is important
Primary task of counsellor is to provide psychosocial support
Providing actual logistics in any/every crisis may not be possible