Crisis Management Counselling

Need to understand crisis and its management??The IDU faces number of

problems in day-to-day life- most solved by himself or with help of family members*

Certain situations are intense and unexpected and◦Can precipitate crisis◦Are out of client’s capacity to deal

with◦Require professional help

What is CrisisA temporary state of

◦emotional turmoil and disorganization

◦following a very sudden and significant stressful situation

Cannot be resolved by client alone

Crisis Situations*What situations precipitate crisis in

client’s life?

CRISIS

Personal

Financial

Occupational

Health

Drugs-related

Legal

Crisis Situations*SITUATIONS EXAMPLES OF TYPES OF CRISIS

Personal Situation Spouse leaving home; divorce notice; being thrown out of the house; violence at home; sudden death in family; death of a friend with whom injections were used/shared

Financial Loss of significant amount of money/assets; accumulated debts leading to a crisis

Occupational Situation

Being thrown out of the job; violence at work-place

Health-related Becoming aware of HIV+ status; developing a physical illness

Legal Facing legal action

Drug-related Sudden decrease in availability of usual dose of drugs; overdose; injection-related injury/infection

Stages of Crisis*

Role of counsellor*Be available and

supportiveActively listen to

client’s storyDo NOT blame the

clientExpress empathyGenrate resources Address unrealistic

expectations of client from counsellor (if any)

counselling Techniques

Providing support to client• Being empathic• Listen• Talk in calm and re-assuring way

• Instill hope

Counselling TechniquesFacilitating emotional expression*• Client is facing many negative emotions

• Encourage clients to share their feelings

Counselling Techniques

Ensure safety of client• Client vulnerable to

cause harm to self/others

• Assess for thoughts related to • Self-harm• Harming others

counselling Techniques

Defining the problem• Conceptualize problem from client’s point of view

• Reflect back to the client

Counselling Techniques

Defining the problem (cont…)

• REMEMBER:• Ask open-ended

questions• Don’t ask too many

questions together• Avoid using “WHY”*• Avoid embarrassing

questions

Counselling Techniques

Defining the problem (cont…)

• Areas to be explored:• What is the problem?• Who all are contributing

to it?• When did it happen?• What made it happen?• How can it be handled?

Counselling Techniques

Facilitating problem-solving behavior• Teach problem-solving strategy

Counselling TechniquesFacilitating problem-solving behavior*

Defining the

problem

Brainstorm all

possible solutions

Re-evaluate

Evaluate and

implement best

solution

Counselling TechniquesFacilitating problem-solving behavior*

Defining the

problem

Brainstorm all

possible solutions

Re-evaluate

Evaluate and

implement best

solution

Counselling TechniquesFacilitating problem-solving behavior*

Defining the

problem

Brainstorm all

possible solutions

Re-evaluate

Evaluate and

implement best

solution

Counselling TechniquesFacilitating problem-solving behavior*

Defining the

problem

Brainstorm all

possible solutions

Re-evaluate

Evaluate and

implement best

solution

Other services…Keep a directory of referral

services (e.g. legal aid, intensive medical care)

Talk to family members, employers… if need be

Facilitate generation of possible resources

SummaryIDU is vulnerable to crisis at any

point

Crisis is a temporary phase and timely intervention is important

Primary task of counsellor is to provide psychosocial support

Providing actual logistics in any/every crisis may not be possible