Conducting a Group Crisis Intervention
Crisis Intervention
What can you do when someone you care about is participating in a harmful habit or dangerous addiction, and your attempts at reasoning have failed? There's one technique proven to be effective when others have failed. It's a group crisis intervention. Why is it so effective? There's power in numbers.
Usually, personal pleas, and appeals are ignored. Even when confronted by several people simultaneously, appeals to reason can be easily dismissed. The individual you are appealing to typically assumes people are "butting in" on things not concerning them. However, by presenting a united front extra strength is achieved. This was used even in biblical times.
Conducting a Group Crisis Intervention
To help someone from engaging in harmful habits such as drug addiction, or inappropriate behavior, there are methods one can employ:
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Educate yourself about the persons specific addiction or problem, and explore appropriate crisis interventions programs, perhaps even visiting counseling centers and treatment facilities.
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Call a treatment center, and inquire about Christian counselors trained in crisis intervention procedures.
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Have a meeting to plan a proper approach. Things to consider should include: counseling options, appropriate treatment programs with admission plans, procedures, insurance coverage, and impact counseling will have on the family and others.
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Enlist the aid of family members, friends, coworkers, employers, or anyone directly affected by the person's difficult behavior.
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Confidentially, without the individual present, schedule a meeting with these key people, and try to include a qualified leader. This enables each person to rehearse what they will say about their behavior has impacted them.
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Hold a second meeting, this time with the person involved present. One at a time, each person will express care and genuine concern.
The Don't List
You can effectively influence a person's desire to change, not by what you say, but how you say it.
During a group, crisis intervention:
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Don't attempt confrontation by name-calling, preaching, or being judgmental.
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Don't argue when facts are disputed.
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Don't defend the offender.
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Don't accept promises with no commitment for immediate action.
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Don't overreact, keep your emotions under control, even if you are attacked verbally.
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Don't shieldor run interference for the offender.
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Don't give an ultimatum unless prepared to follow through.
In the end they will either take the advice or face the consequences.