HS 266 - Crisis Intervention Strategies

Admission to a Human Services program.

Course Description: Part of a sequence of courses teaching theory and practice in assessment, intervention, and case handling strategies for the helping professional. The current course focuses on crisis situations, including assessment of function and lethality, appraisal of the individual, intervention strategies, case management, referral resources, ethical and professional issues, and specific situational stressors which may lead to a crisis state. Emphasis is on defusing the crisis situation, enhancing mobility and self-determination and ensuring the safety of the client and community. Suicide and other dangers to self and others are of particular concern, as well as the personal and social implications of involuntary hospitalization, civil commitment, and follow-up treatment, including delayed stress reactions and other consequences of crisis events.

Course Learning Outcomes:

• CLO#1: Explain characteristics of crisis, intervention models, and assessment of individuals in crisis situations.
• CLO#2: Give examples of strengths and positive coping behaviors in their clients and to collaborate with clients for resolution of crisis situations.
• CLO#3: Identify signs of decompensation and immobility and recognize the responsibility of the helping professional in assisting individuals to move through these states to a greater level of functioning and coping. (ILO: Communication)
• CLO#4: Develop skills to assist individuals in finding and using appropriate resources to reduce or manage the urgency of crisis situations.
• CLO#5: Recognize emotional intensity inherent in crisis intervention work, including personal triggers, signs of burnout and vicarious traumatization.