MFT Crisis Intervention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client calls in acute suicidal crisis stating they have a loaded gun nearby. What is the therapist's FIRST priority?
- Establish therapeutic rapport before addressing the weapon
- Assess lethality and remove or secure access to the means (Correct answer)
- Immediately call 911 without speaking further to the client
- Schedule an emergency in-person session for the next day
Correct answer: Assess lethality and remove or secure access to the means
Means restriction is a critical evidence-based step; securing or removing access to lethal means significantly reduces suicide risk.
Question 2: Which crisis intervention model focuses on identifying the precipitating event, the client's perception, and coping resources?
- Psychological First Aid model
- Roberts' Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention model (Correct answer)
- Equilibrium model
- ACT crisis model
Correct answer: Roberts' Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention model
Roberts' Seven-Stage model systematically addresses precipitating event, client perception, emotional support, coping assessment, and safety planning.
Question 3: During a crisis, a client exhibits dissociative symptoms and is unable to engage cognitively. The therapist should FIRST:
- Begin cognitive restructuring of the trauma narrative
- Use grounding techniques to bring the client back to the present (Correct answer)
- Explore childhood origins of the dissociation
- Administer a formal psychological assessment
Correct answer: Use grounding techniques to bring the client back to the present
Grounding techniques (5-4-3-2-1 sensory, breathing) help re-regulate the nervous system so the client can engage further.
Question 4: A survivor of sexual assault presents to your office 48 hours after the assault. Under mandatory reporting laws, what is the therapist most likely required to report?
- All adult sexual assaults regardless of victim consent to report
- Sexual assault only if the perpetrator is a licensed professional
- Sexual assault of a minor to child protective services or law enforcement (Correct answer)
- Nothing, because the statute of limitations has not been triggered
Correct answer: Sexual assault of a minor to child protective services or law enforcement
Mandatory reporting laws in the U.S. consistently require therapists to report suspected child abuse, including sexual assault of minors.
Question 5: Which factor is considered a STATIC risk factor for suicide?
- Current level of hopelessness
- Previous suicide attempt (Correct answer)
- Access to lethal means
- Recent significant loss
Correct answer: Previous suicide attempt
A prior suicide attempt is a historical, unchangeable (static) factor and one of the strongest predictors of future attempts.
Question 6: A client in crisis reports their partner just left them. Using the ABC model of crisis intervention, 'B' refers to:
- The behavioral response to the event
- The client's beliefs and perceptions about the event (Correct answer)
- The biological arousal state of the client
- The background history contributing to vulnerability
Correct answer: The client's beliefs and perceptions about the event
In the ABC model, B stands for Beliefs—the cognitive appraisal and meaning the client assigns to the precipitating event.
Question 7: When conducting a crisis assessment, the mnemonic IS PATH WARM helps identify warning signs. What does the 'A' stand for?
- Aggression
- Anxiety (Correct answer)
- Ambivalence
- Avoidance
Correct answer: Anxiety
In IS PATH WARM, 'A' stands for Anxiety—increased agitation and anxiety are recognized warning signs of suicide risk.
MFT Crisis Intervention 2
A client calls in acute suicidal crisis stating they have a loaded gun nearby.
What is the therapist's FIRST priority?