CDC Crisis Intervention 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client angrily says, "If he takes the kids, I'll make sure he never sees daylight again." What is the best coaching response?
- Calmly explore the statement's intent and assess risk of harm to others (Correct answer)
- Immediately end the coaching contract
- Agree the spouse deserves it to build rapport
- Laugh it off as venting
Correct answer: Calmly explore the statement's intent and assess risk of harm to others
Possible threats to others call for calm, direct risk assessment instead of dismissing them or overreacting.
Question 2: Which de-escalation behavior is most effective with a highly agitated client?
- Matching their volume to show you care
- Speaking slowly and calmly, and validating their feelings (Correct answer)
- Arguing logically against their points
- Telling them to calm down
Correct answer: Speaking slowly and calmly, and validating their feelings
A calm tone plus validation lowers emotional intensity, while arguing or commanding tends to escalate it.
Question 3: A client threatens to take the children out of state before the custody hearing. What should the coach do?
- Help plan the logistics of the move
- Contact the other spouse directly
- Explain the serious legal consequences and urge the client to consult their attorney right away (Correct answer)
- Stay silent to maintain neutrality
Correct answer: Explain the serious legal consequences and urge the client to consult their attorney right away
Removing children against court orders or jurisdiction rules can be parental kidnapping, so legal counsel is essential.
Question 4: A client in crisis has been drinking heavily every night since the separation. What is the most appropriate coaching step?
- Diagnose the client with alcohol use disorder
- Ignore it, since it's outside divorce issues
- Name the concern without judgment and refer to substance use resources (Correct answer)
- Insist the client quit before the next session
Correct answer: Name the concern without judgment and refer to substance use resources
Coaches can raise concerns and refer, for example to SAMHSA's helpline, but should not diagnose.
Question 5: In the ABC model of crisis intervention, what does the "C" stand for?
- Closure
- Coping (Correct answer)
- Confrontation
- Custody
Correct answer: Coping
The ABC model covers Achieving contact, Boiling down the problem, and Coping.
Question 6: What is the main purpose of active listening in the first minutes of a crisis contact?
- To steer the client toward a quick decision
- To build trust and help the client feel heard so they can stabilize (Correct answer)
- To fill time until a referral is found
- To gather evidence for court
Correct answer: To build trust and help the client feel heard so they can stabilize
Feeling heard reduces distress and builds the rapport needed for intervention.
Question 7: A client asks the coach to keep a disclosure of child abuse confidential. How should the coach respond?
- Promise full confidentiality to keep trust
- Tell the client to tell no one
- Explain the limits of confidentiality and follow reporting obligations and safety protocols (Correct answer)
- Wait for the custody evaluation to address it
Correct answer: Explain the limits of confidentiality and follow reporting obligations and safety protocols
Child safety overrides confidentiality, and coaches must explain those limits and follow applicable laws and ethics.
