CDC Crisis Intervention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client says mid-session, "Sometimes I think everyone would be better off without me." What should the divorce coach do first?
- Remind the client that the divorce will be over soon
- Ask directly whether the client is thinking about suicide (Correct answer)
- Change the subject to keep the session positive
- Assign a journaling exercise for the week
Correct answer: Ask directly whether the client is thinking about suicide
Asking directly about suicidal thoughts does not plant the idea and is the first step in assessing risk.
Question 2: Which U.S. number connects a person in emotional distress to the national suicide and crisis lifeline by call or text?
- 211
- 988 (Correct answer)
- 311
- 911
Correct answer: 988
988 is the three-digit U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, reachable by call, text, or chat.
Question 3: In Roberts' Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model, what is the first stage?
- Identify major problems
- Establish rapport
- Plan and conduct a crisis and biopsychosocial assessment, including lethality (Correct answer)
- Develop an action plan
Correct answer: Plan and conduct a crisis and biopsychosocial assessment, including lethality
Roberts' model begins with assessing lethality and immediate safety before building rapport and problem-solving.
Question 4: A client who has just been served divorce papers is shaking, crying, and can't follow the conversation. Which technique is most appropriate right now?
- Setting long-term post-divorce goals
- Exploring childhood patterns behind the reaction
- Grounding, such as slow breathing and naming things in the room (Correct answer)
- Reviewing the settlement options in detail
Correct answer: Grounding, such as slow breathing and naming things in the room
Grounding brings down acute arousal so the client can think clearly again.
Question 5: What best separates a crisis from an ordinary problem in divorce coaching?
- A crisis lasts longer than six months
- A crisis always involves the court
- A crisis temporarily overwhelms the person's usual coping abilities (Correct answer)
- A crisis only happens when children are involved
Correct answer: A crisis temporarily overwhelms the person's usual coping abilities
A crisis is a state where the event overwhelms a person's normal coping resources.
Question 6: A client discloses an active plan and the means to end their life today. What is the coach's appropriate action?
- Stay connected and get immediate emergency help, such as 988 or 911 (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to a divorce support group
- Schedule an extra session next week
- Ask the client to sign a no-harm contract and end the call
Correct answer: Stay connected and get immediate emergency help, such as 988 or 911
Imminent risk calls for immediate emergency resources while staying with the client.
Question 7: Which statement best describes a divorce coach's scope in a mental health crisis?
- The coach stabilizes, connects the client to licensed or emergency help, and follows up (Correct answer)
- The coach diagnoses the client's condition to guide the referral
- The coach should end the coaching relationship permanently
- The coach provides crisis therapy until the client is stable
Correct answer: The coach stabilizes, connects the client to licensed or emergency help, and follows up
Coaches are not clinicians; their role is to stabilize, refer to appropriate professionals, and follow up.
