Crisis Theory and Crisis Intervention in Emergencies (IN: Emergencies in Mental Health Practice: Evaluation and Management, edited by P M Kleespies)

This chapter defines, explores, & discusses psychological crises, psychological emergencies, & the interactions between these 2 phenomena. The chapter offers a brief history of crisis intervention, followed by a discussion of the important components of crisis intervention as a form of brief treatment. The techniques of crisis intervention are outined, using a model based on work by Aguilera (1994) & Puryear (1979), & this model is applied to psychological emergencies as well. The limitations & contraindications of crisis intervention are also discussed. (62 refs.)