Welcome toWelcome to Applied Skills in Applied Skills in Human Services Human Services

Michelle Henderson, MSWMhenderson@Kaplan.edu412-310-4279

Unit 6: Q & AUnit 6: Q & AAre there any questions about

Unit 6?Seminar Alternate Assignments-

submit to Dropbox by end of unitPlease get your personal journals

into the dropbox ASAP.

Unit 7: Unit 7:

Assignments due:SeminarDiscussion Board

Managing Crises: Violence, Self Harm and Anger

What is a crisis??

Unit 7Unit 7

…Client’s ‘emotional reactions to a situation, not

the situation itself’.

… Reactions to a range of external or internal events may immobilize their normal coping capacities.

… Feelings and discussion of suicide may occur.

CrisisCrisis

Sources of CrisisSources of Crisis

Dispositional Crises- Temperament, personal attributes

Developmental Crises- Life changes and transitions

Trauma- Unexpected death, injury or violence

ResilienceResilience

Why do some people seem to bounce back from negative experiences better than others?

What factors influence coping skills?

How to Help in CrisisHow to Help in Crisis Show empathy in responses. Clients in crisis situations

cope best when they know their feelings and perceptions are understood

Immediate matters take priority over long-term issues. Stabilize the client through focusing on coping

strengths. The miracle question may have limited application in

crisis. Be realistic! Offer practical support only if client can

handle it. When coping capacities are absent, hospitalization

may be necessary. Crises may uncover opportunities for further work on

grief or life management issues. Crisis work requires good referral sources!

Violence and Harm to Violence and Harm to Self/OthersSelf/Others

Young adults18-30 most commonly associated with violence

Men more likely violent toward othersWomen more likely violent toward selfChallenging clients to see their

strengths is a key feature of a strengths approach

Suicidal Risk for ClientsSuicidal Risk for ClientsHistory of previous attempts, depression,

sleep disruption and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness

Background of alcohol or drug abuse increases the risk of self-harm and suicide, as may other forms of psychiatric illness

Address threats seriously

Duty to WarnDuty to Warn

Sensitive collaboration is required to explain professionals’ mandated obligations

It is essential to be familiar with national and/or state guidelines on mandatory reporting

Requirements on warning and/or reporting can conflict with practitioner and client expectations about confidentiality

An honest approach will be less damaging to trust than if covert actions follow

Safety Plans for ProfessionalsSafety Plans for ProfessionalsRisks faced by counselors include physical

isolation, dangerous premises, some clients being seen without pre-screening, neglect of safety by counselors and managers

It is suggested that in meeting all clients for the first time there is some protective plan in place and certainly so when the client has a known background of violence.

Have exit plan at all times.

Angry ClientsAngry ClientsSet clear boundaries but do not

rejectAddress the anger non-aggressively

Anger is cathartic only if a sense of control is gained from its expression

Anger management may be a key feature of interviewing work with some clients and duty of care issues may relate to domestic violence

Hands OnHands OnThink about a time when you felt

like you were in crisis?

What were your immediate needs?

What helped you?