Crisis Intervention Flashcards
7 cards from real MFT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Crisis Intervention flashcards as text
Which client statement is the STRONGEST indicator of imminent suicide risk?
Answer: 'I have pills saved up and plan to take them tonight.'
A specific plan with a set time frame indicates imminent risk because the client has moved from ideation to preparation and intent.
A family presents to crisis services after an unexpected death by suicide of a family member. The therapist's role during this initial session is BEST described as:
Answer: Providing psychoeducation about suicide contagion, safety, and support resources
Postvention with suicide loss survivors focuses on psychoeducation, safety planning for contagion risk, and connecting the family to ongoing support.
A therapist working in a school setting learns a student disclosed to a peer that they want to die. The peer comes to the counselor. The therapist should FIRST:
Answer: Immediately meet with the student who made the disclosure and assess risk
Direct assessment of the at-risk student is the immediate ethical and clinical obligation before any other action.
Which intervention is MOST consistent with a trauma-informed approach to crisis care?
Answer: Emphasizing safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment
SAMHSA's six trauma-informed principles—safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity—guide trauma-informed crisis care.
A therapist who routinely responds to traumatic crises and begins experiencing symptoms mirroring those of their clients is MOST likely experiencing:
Answer: Secondary traumatic stress (vicarious traumatization)
Secondary traumatic stress (vicarious traumatization) involves absorbing the traumatic material of clients, producing PTSD-like symptoms in the helper.
When a therapist hospitalizes a client involuntarily, which legal standard MUST typically be met?
Answer: The client poses an imminent danger to self or others and lacks capacity for voluntary care
Involuntary hospitalization (civil commitment) requires evidence of imminent danger and typically that the client cannot adequately care for themselves or refuses voluntary treatment.
A couple presents in crisis following the revelation of an affair. Which approach is MOST appropriate in the initial session?
Answer: Stabilize safety and emotional regulation before exploring the affair's causes
Crisis stabilization and affect regulation must precede exploratory work; jumping to causes escalates dysregulation in the acute phase.