Welcome to Applied Skills in Human Services Michelle Henderson, MSW

Unit 6: Q & A Are there any questions about Unit 6? Seminar Alternate Assignments- submit to Dropbox by end of unit Please get your personal journals into the dropbox ASAP.

Unit 7: Assignments due: Seminar Discussion Board

Managing Crises: Violence, Self Harm and Anger What is a crisis?? Unit 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. Crisis

Sources of Crisis Dispositional Crises - Temperament, personal attributes Developmental Crises - Life changes and transitions Trauma - Unexpected death, injury or violence

Resilience Why do some people seem to bounce back from negative experiences better than others? What factors influence coping skills?

How 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 Self/Others Young adults18-30 most commonly associated with violence Men more likely violent toward others Women more likely violent toward self Challenging clients to see their strengths is a key feature of a strengths approach

Suicidal Risk for Clients History 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 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 Professionals Risks 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 Clients Set clear boundaries but do not reject Address 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 On Think about a time when you felt like you were in crisis? What were your immediate needs? What helped you?