Crisis Intervention Flashcards

A client in a substance-induced crisis presents with suicidal ideation but no specific plan. Which level of suicide risk does this represent?

Answer: Moderate risk requiring close monitoring and safety planning

Suicidal ideation without a specific plan typically indicates moderate risk, requiring a safety plan, increased contact, and close monitoring rather than immediate hospitalization.

When using the ACT model in crisis intervention, what does the 'A' stand for?

Answer: Acknowledgment

In the ACT model, 'A' stands for Acknowledgment—validating the client's feelings and experience before moving to connecting and taking action.

A counselor receives a call from a client's family member stating the client has barricaded himself with alcohol and a firearm. The FIRST priority is to:

Answer: Contact law enforcement

When there is an imminent threat involving a weapon, contacting law enforcement is the immediate priority to ensure everyone's safety.

Which therapeutic approach is most aligned with crisis intervention's focus on restoring pre-crisis functioning?

Answer: Brief problem-focused intervention

Crisis intervention is a brief, problem-focused approach aimed at restoring equilibrium and pre-crisis functioning, not long-term personality restructuring.

During a relapse crisis, a client says 'I've ruined everything—I might as well keep drinking.' This thinking pattern is best identified as:

Answer: All-or-nothing thinking

All-or-nothing (black-and-white) thinking is the cognitive distortion present when a client views a lapse as total failure with no middle ground.

A chemical dependency counselor is working a crisis hotline. A caller is intoxicated and threatening to drive. The counselor's BEST action is to:

Answer: Attempt to keep the caller on the line and involve emergency services

Keeping an intoxicated caller engaged while involving emergency services addresses both the immediate safety risk to the caller and the public.

Which factor is MOST associated with increased lethality in a suicide risk assessment for a substance-using client?

Answer: Recent loss combined with current intoxication

Recent significant loss combined with current intoxication dramatically increases lethality because impaired judgment and emotional pain converge.