Crisis Intervention for Children Flashcards

The Psychological First Aid (PFA) model includes which of the following core actions?

Answer: Contact, safety, stabilization, information, connection, linkage

PFA's core actions are: contact and engagement, safety and comfort, stabilization, information gathering, practical assistance, connection with social supports, information on coping, and linkage with collaborative services.

A child in crisis refuses all adult support and says 'I don't need help.' The MOST therapeutically appropriate response is:

Answer: Acknowledge the child's self-reliance while remaining available

Honoring the child's autonomy while maintaining a non-intrusive, available presence builds trust without power struggles that can escalate crisis.

Which developmental consideration is MOST important when providing crisis intervention to a toddler (ages 1–3)?

Answer: Caregiver co-regulation, since toddlers depend on adults for emotional regulation

Toddlers lack the neurological development for self-regulation and rely entirely on regulated caregivers to co-regulate their emotional states.

A CTC consultant working in a school setting identifies that 12 children in one classroom witnessed a peer's medical emergency. The BEST initial response is:

Answer: Implement a group psychological first aid response for the classroom

Group PFA is the recommended evidence-informed approach for classroom-level acute crisis exposure, normalizing reactions and identifying children needing further support.

Which statement BEST describes the role of cultural humility in child crisis intervention?

Answer: Acknowledging cultural beliefs and values enhances trust and intervention effectiveness

Cultural humility — recognizing and respecting the family's cultural framework — is essential for building rapport and delivering effective, equitable crisis care.

A 15-year-old in crisis reveals they have been self-harming as a coping strategy. The MOST appropriate immediate clinical response is:

Answer: Assess severity, intent, and lethality; explore safer coping alternatives

A thorough lethality and intent assessment guides the level of care decision, while exploring safer alternatives addresses the underlying coping need without shaming.

In child crisis intervention, the term 'titration' refers to:

Answer: Gradually and carefully modulating the intensity of exposure to distressing material

Titration in trauma and crisis work means carefully dosing the child's exposure to distressing content so it stays within their window of tolerance.