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UNIT 8
CRISIS INTERVENTION
8.1 Lead-in
Chinese for “crisis”:
danger opportunity
What do you think the Chinese wanted to express by this sign about the course of a crisis?
8.2 Reading
Read the text and translate it.
Erikson’s Stages of Development
1. Basic Trust vs. Mistrust (Birth – 18 Months)
During the first or second year of life, the major emphasis is on the mother and father’s
nurturing ability and care for a child. The child will develop trust and security if properly
cared for. If a child does not experience trust, he or she may develop insecurity and general
mistrust of the world.
2. Autonomy vs. Shame (18 Months to 3 Years)
At this point, the child has an opportunity to build self-esteem and autonomy as he or she
learns new skills and right from wrong. Children tend to be vulnerable during this stage,
sometimes feeling shame and low self-esteem during an inability to learn certain skills.
3. Initiative vs. Guilt (3 to 5 Years)
During this period we experience a desire to copy the adults around us and take the initiative
in creating play situations. We also begin to use that wonderful word for exploring the world
– “WHY”? If we’re frustrated over natural desires and goals, we may easily experience guilt.
4. Competence vs. Inferiority (6 to 12 Years)
During this stage we are capable of learning, creating and accomplishing numerous new skills
and knowledge. This is also a very social stage of development and if we experience
unresolved feelings of inferiority among our peers, we can have serious problems in terms of
competence and self-esteem.
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5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (12 to 20 Years)
An adolescent must struggle to discover and find his or her own identity, while negotiating
and struggling with social interactions and “fitting in”, and developing a sense of morality.
Those unsuccessful with this stage tend to experience role confusion and upheaval.
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (20 to 35 Years)
At the young adult stage, people tend to seek companionship and love. Some also begin to
“settle down” and start families, although this seems to have been pushed back farther in
recent years. Young adults seek deep intimacy and satisfying relationships, but if
unsuccessful, isolation may occur.
7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (35 to 65 Years)
Career and work are the most important things at this stage, along with family. People work to
establish stability and generativity – produce something that makes a difference to society.
Inactivity and meaninglessness are common fears during this stage.
8. Integrity vs. Despair (65 Years to Death)
As older adults, some can look back with a feeling of integrity – that is, fulfillment, having
led a meaningful life and made valuable contribution to society. Others may fear death as they
struggle to find a purpose to their lives, wondering “What was the point of life?” ”Was it
worth it?”
(www.learning-theories.com/eriksons-stages-of-development.html)
Topics for discussion:
• Which stage(s) did you like the most and why?
• Which life stage(s) are you looking forward to?
• Would you like to return to a certain life stage? What would you do differently?
crisis krize competence kompetence
crisis
intervention krizová intervence inferiority méněcennost
stage stádium, stupeň accomplish
dosáhnout,
uskutečnit
development vývoj, rozvoj experience zažít, zakusit
trust důvěra unresolved nevyřešený
mistrust nedůvěra inadequacy
neschopnost,
nedostatečnost
emphasis důraz peer vrstevník
nurture pečovat, starat se confusion zmatek
ability schopnost adolescent dospívající
care for pečovat, starat se struggle snažit se, usilovat
develop rozvíjet, rozvinout discover objevit
confidence důvěra negotiate
zdolat, vypořádat
se
security bezpečí, jistota morality morálka
worthlessness
neschopnost,
bezcennost upheaval zmatek, nepokoj
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shame hanba, ostuda intimacy intimita
self-esteem
sebeúcta, hodnota
sama sebe tend
mít sklon/
tendenci
skill dovednost companionship
společnost,
společenství
vulnerable zranitelný settle down usadit se
inability neschopnost relationship vztah
initiative iniciativa career
povolání, životní
dráha
guilt vina meaningless
nesmyslný,
bezvýznamný
desire touha, toužit despair zoufalství
adult dospělý contentment spokojenost
explore zkoumat fulfillment naplnění
frustrate frustrovat contribution příspěvek
goal cíl purpose účel, smysl
8.3 Use of English
Look up in the dictionary at least four words that describe characteristic features of a person
if they complete the task of the respective stage successfully or they fail to manage it.
Stage Success Failure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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8.4 Speaking
Watch the film about Erikson´s theory and write down words you do not know.
Explain the meaning of the sentences from the film:
• We care, we share.
• Mission accomplished.
• Satisfaction guaranteed.
• Mistrust spins the world.
• It´s always darkest just before it goes pitch black.
Topics for discussion:
1. Do you agree with the last two sentences? Why? Why not?
2. Do we need to care for other people?
3. What do we share with others?
4. What is, in your opinion, the mission of human life?
5. What makes you be satisfied with your life and yourself?
8.5 Ideas for Homework
John Fitzgerald Kennedy: “One person can make a difference and every person should try.”
Do you agree with this quotation from the film? Why? Why not? (Write an essay).
8.6 Reading
Read the text and translate it.
Crisis
A crisis refers not necessarily to a traumatic situation or event, but to a person’s reaction to an
event. One person might be deeply affected by an event, while another individual suffers little
or no ill effects. A crisis presents an obstacle, trauma, or threat, but it also presents an
opportunity for either growth or decline.
The following signs, symptoms, and reactions are common psychological responses to a crisis
or traumatic event:
1. Disbelief.
2. Emotional numbing.
3. Nightmares.
4. Anger, moodiness, and irritability.
5. Forgetfulness.
6. Flashbacks.
7. Increased use of alcohol and drugs.
8. Isolation from others.
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Explain the meaning of 8 responses to a crisis event in English.
event událost disbelief
nevíra, neochota
uvěřit
affect ovlivnit, účinkovat numb
necitlivý,
ochromený,
otupělý
individual jednotlivec, osoba nightmare noční můra
suffer trpět anger hněv
obstacle překážka moodiness náladovost
trauma trauma irritability podrážděnost
threat hrozba forgetfulness zapomnětlivost
growth růst flashback
záblesk minulé
události
decline úpadek
8.7 Listening
Listen to the text and complete the sentences:
a) The primary purpose of crisis intervention is .......................................................................
b) Assesing the situation involves..............................................................................................
c) People in crisis need...............................................................................................................
d) It can be very beneficial for individuals.................................................................................
e) Developing coping skills means helping the client................................................................
Crisis intervention
The primary purpose of crisis intervention is to help an individual to restore some sense of
control and mastery after a crisis event or disaster.
1. Assessing the Situation
The first element of crisis intervention involves assessing the client’s current situation. This
involves listening to the client, asking questions and determining what the individual needs to
cope with the crisis. It is also essential to ensure the client´s safety, both physical and
psychological.
2. Education
People who are experiencing a crisis need information about their current condition and the
steps they can take to minimize the damage. Crisis counsellors often help the client
understand that their reactions are normal.
3. Offering Support
One of the most important elements of crisis intervention involves offering support,
stabilization and resources. Active listening is critical, as well as offering unconditional
acceptance and reassurance. During the crisis, it can be very beneficial for individuals to
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develop a brief dependency on supportive people, these relationships help the individual
become stronger and more independent.
4. Developing Coping Skills
In addition to providing support, crisis counsellors also help clients develop coping skills to
deal with the crisis. This might involve helping the client explore different solutions to the
problem, practicing stress reduction techniques and encouraging positive thinking.
(www.ncss.org.sg/social_service/family_services_crisis_intervention.asp)
Explain the following terms from the text in English:
• to restore control and mastery
• to cope with the crisis
• to ensure client´s safety
• to minimize the damage
• to develop coping skills
• to offer unconditional acceptance
and reassurance
• to develop a dependency on
supportive people
• to encourage positive thinking
restore obnovit counsellor poradce
control řízení, kontrola support podpora
mastery
zvládnutí, výborná
znalost offer nabízet, nabídka
disaster katastrofa resource zdroj
assess (o)hodnotit, posoudit unconditional bezpodmínečný
element prvek, součást acceptance přijetí
determine určit, rozhodnout reassurance ujištění
cope
zvládnout,
vypořádat se beneficial prospěšný
essential nezbytný, podstatný dependency závislost
safety bezpečí supportive podporující
education vzdělání coping skills
dovednosti
nutné ke
zvládnutí těžké
situace
damage škoda, poškodit
8.8 Reading
Read the text and summarize its main points.
Prejudices about crisis:
1. Everybody has to cope with troubles and difficulties on his/her own.
NO – It is important to recognize if we don´t have the strength to deal with something
difficult in our lives and we should be able to ask for help.
2. It is a sign of our own incompetence when we look up professional help.
NO – It can be a sign of our courage and readiness to face our problems.
3. It isn´t appropriate to burden somebody else with our problems.
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NO – Telling somebody about our problems can bring relief. In a crisis we are not able to
realize many things. Therefore another person can help us see our situation from another
point of view.
4. If somebody gets into a difficult situation it is their fault and so they don’t deserve any
help.
NO – Even though some people contribute to their crisis situation, the most important
thing is that they want to solve it and need to get professional help.
5. If we have bad and powerful feelings such as anger, grief, jealousy or hatred, it is better
to ignore them and to behave as if we felt good.
NO – Our feelings don’t disappear by themselves and they always influence our
behaviour. It can be useful to analyze them – where they come from, who they are aimed
at and what they want to tell us.
(www.ncss.org.sg/social_service/family_services_crisis_intervention.asp)
Discuss the points of the text in pairs or in groups – one (group) gives reasons why it is a
good idea to look for help in a difficult situation and the other (group) arguments against it.
prejudice předsudek deserve zasloužit si
recognize rozeznat, zjistit nasty hrozný, hnusný
deal jednat, zacházet feeling pocit
courage odvaha powerful silný, mocný
foresight
prozíravost,
obezřetnost grief zármutek, žal
face čelit jealousy žárlivost
burden břemeno, zatěžovat hatred nenávist
relief úleva behaviour chování
fault chyba, vina refer
odvolávat se,
odkazovat
8.9 Speaking
Read the stories and answer the questions:
• What makes this situation a crisis?
• Who are the main participants in the crisis?
• What factors need to be dealt with in a crisis intervention?
• Who or what are possible sources to provide help?
1. My partner had been suffering from clinical depression and yesterday he took his own life.
I came home from work to find him hanging in our garage. I am 5 months pregnant and I
am feeling so alone and wondering how I am going to cope without the love of my life. I
am going through so many emotions today, mostly what-ifs and what I could have done
better or differently to make him feel like he wanted to live for me and the baby. All I feel
is guilt and love for the father of my child.
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2. It has been 8 weeks since my daughter was brought into the hospital and 2 days since her
life support was turned off and we watched as her heart gradually stopped beating and she
stopped breathing. All of this came out of the blue, she was at the zoo having a great day
with her sister and only that night after a sudden vomiting spell I was rushing her to the
hospital in a coma from which she never fully awoke.
3. At 11 P.M. I had just left the health sciences library at the university and was walking the
three long blocks to the parking lot where my car was parked when I was assaulted. The
man held a knife to my throat and raped me. I was sort of in shock and numb. It was a
terrifying, painful, and degrading experience. It was something you don’t expect to happen.
4. I was returning to my apartment following an afternoon appointment with my physician
when I was robbed. A guy came up to me and pressed the cold barrel of his gun on my
neck, he must have thought it easy as I am blind. He said if I don’t give him what I got he
would shoot me and the dog. I gave him all I had. About a week after the robbery, I woke
up sweating and had a serious asthma attack.
5. The last year or so I have watched my mother become a woman I don’t recognise anymore.
She’s lost her personality due to alcohol, she’d become a shell of the woman who I
remember as my mother. At first it started with phone calls about her not having any
money, and not wanting to bother my dad with it all. She confided in me, and as the eldest
daughter I did all that I could. Things didn’t get any better, instead they got a million times
worse. Suddenly I was faced with the reality of debt mounting up to over £ 50,000 and
ninety days to pay something before my parents lost their house.
6. I recently fled to a women´s refuge to escape domestic violence from my husband and his
family. I applied to a local council as homeless but despite the information from the police
they have decided I am not homeless and should return to my previous address. I can´t
return to where I came from as the violence will start again the minute I return and I will
never escape again. I am tired, stressed and very scared that he will demand I return my
daughter back. She is frightened of her father and suffers from anxiety as a result.
7. In 2012 I began to work for an electronics company. The job was really varied and the
work was exciting. Little did I know I was going to receive endless abuse from my
manager. She soon began to haul me into a side room regularly, for what I thought would
be appraisal sessions, but what really turned out to be systematic bullying. I entered the job
as a confident MA graduate and she squashed me down into a gibbering, self-conscious
wreck with absolutely no self-esteem or self-worth or belief in my ability to do anything
right at all.
8. Only minutes away from home my friend who unbeknown to me was drunk, decided to
pass another car on the wrong side. We went up and over, rolling three or four times,
smashing into a tree. I had injured three vertebrae, which meant I am paralyzed from the
chest down. At the age of 24, my so called “normal” life became anything but normal.
Why did I survive that horrible night? What is my purpose in this world now? Could I ever
be the same person I was prior this day?
Role play. Work in pairs – one of you is a person in crisis and the other a crisis counsellor
who provides crisis intervention.
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depression deprese escape
uniknout,
uprchnout
pregnant těhotná local council místní úřad
emotion cit, emoce homeless bez přístřeší
breathe dýchat demand
požadovat,
požadavek
vomit zvracet anxiety úzkost
health sciences
medicína, lékařské
vědy abuse zneužívat, týrat
assault napadnout, zaútočit appraisal
posouzení,
zhodnocení
rape znásilnit bullying šikana
degrade ponížit, znehodnotit self-conscious
bázlivý, úzkostně
se pozorující
physician lékař self-worth
pocit vlastní
hodnoty
rob oloupit, okrást belief víra, důvěra
bother obtěžovat, rušit injure zranit
confide svěřit (se) paralyze ochrnout
flee, fled, fled utéci, uprchnout survive přežít
refuge útočiště, útulek
8.10 Writing
Choose one of the cases and describe how you would work with this client – including a
process of assessment, intervention, and social services needed.
8.11 Listening
Listen to the song “All you need is love” by the Beatles and complete the lyrics.
8.12 Follow up
How Resilient Are You?
How would you fare in a crisis situation? Would you be able to stay calm, look for solutions
and manage your emotions? Test your coping skills by answering the following questions.
Score: a) 2 points, b) 1 point, c) 0 points:
Do you have strong social connections?
a) Yes
b) Somewhat
c) No
Do you find it easy to adapt to changing
situations?
a) Yes
b) Somewhat
c) No
Are you generally optimistic, even when
things are difficult?
a) Yes
Are you usually calm in high stress
situations?
a) Yes
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b) Most of the time
c) No
b) Somewhat
c) No
When something terrible happens, which of
the following statements best reflects your
feelings?
a) “Things are bad, but hopefully I'll be
able to learn from the experience.”
b) “Why does this always happen to
me!”
c) “Things will never get better and I'll
never recover from this.”
During a crisis, do you:
a) Focus on steps you can take to
resolve the problem.
b) Try to solve the problem, but become
overwhelmed.
c) Blame external events or other people
for creating the situation.
Are you able to laugh at yourself or find
humor in a situation, even during difficult
events?
a) Yes, most of the time.
b) Occasionally
c) No
Do you take the time to take care of yourself,
such as eating a healthy diet, exercising and
getting plenty of sleep?
a) Yes
b) Somewhat
c) No
Are you able to identify the emotions you are
feeling and understand what caused them?
a) Yes, most of the time
b) Sometimes
c) Rarely
Are you able to deal with situations that are
ambiguous or unclear?
a) Yes, most of the time
b) Sometimes
c) Rarely
14 – 20 points: Your resilience is strong enough. Continue to practise coping skills you use.
7 – 13 points: Your resilience is about average. Focus on developing your existing strengths
and work on cultivating new skills that will help you become more resilient.
0 – 6 points: Your resilience is quite weak. In order to effectively deal with a crisis, it is
important to work on developing your hardiness and resourcefulness.
Discuss the result of the test:
• Do you agree with it?
• In which situations have you felt that your resilience is strong or weak?
• In which areas do you need to strengthen your resilience?
8.13 Reading
Fill in the gaps with the following expressions:
• taking a quiet walk
• feeling overburdened
• a caring friend
• too much alcohol
• stressful matters
• the task at hand
• the unpleasant events
• seven hours of sleep
• two days a week
• what we say to ourselves
• beyond your limits
• those around you
• shortcomings
• a sense of control
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Coping Strategies:
1. Use your support system – You may feel better sharing your feelings with ................. or
family member.
2. Talk it over with yourself – We often have no control over ............................ that happen
in our lives, but we can change what we say to ourselves about these events. All our
feelings are greatly affected by ...............................
3. Don't demand perfection – Ease up on yourself and ............................... – accept that
everyone has both strengths and .........................
4. Just say NO – You can avoid ................................. by setting realistic goals and priorities.
Remember, it's OK to say NO to requests that push you......................................
5. Take one thing at a time – Instead of thinking of other things you should be doing, focus
on .......................... and do it well. You'll enjoy the sense of accomplishment and regain
........................
6. Strive for balance in your life – Make time for activities and people you enjoy. Taking
your mind off .......................... for a while can help you keep a healthy perspective.
7. Be active – Walk your dog, go dancing or join a gym. At least ............................, do some
muscle-strengthening activity.
8. Avoid unhealthy behaviour – Some people drink .............................. or over-eat to cope
with stress.
9. Practice rest and relaxation – Get at least .................................... nightly. Even losing
yourself in a good book or ......................................... can help you unwind.
10. Learn to laugh.
(www.uhc.com/health_topics/stress/coping_strategies.htm)
Topics for discussion:
• Which of the coping strategies have you tried?
• Which of them have you found useful?
• Which of them did not work for you?
• Which of them would you like to try?
• Which strategies not mentioned in the text would you recommend to your fellow
students?
coping strategy
strategie zvládání
obtížných situací request požadavek
caring pečující, starostlivý focus soustředit se
accept přijmout task úkol
strength silná stránka, přednost accomplishment výkon, úspěch
shortcoming nedostatek, chyba sense smysl
overburden přetížit, zatížit příliš balance rovnováha
set, set, set
uložit, nastavit,
stanovit avoid vyhnout se