Crises are opportunities. Crisis is a time when the person in crisis is most susceptible to influence from targeted assistance from a crisis worker. In many behavioral modifications and Cognitive behavioral therapies, the crisis is a key factor used to assist the client to come through the other side of the situation so that the person in crisis stabilizes in a more adaptive level of functioning. According to leading cognitive behavioral regimens, the perception of the precipitating event is a crucial factor in the crisis. This is where the ABC Model of Crisis intervention comes into play
The subjective view, that the person in crisis holds, is the key to any interventions on the part of the helper or crisis worker. It is the starting point of the ABC model of Crisis intervention is a standard modus operandi which comes from the cognitive disputation model of cognitive behavior therapies. It is also the focus of contextual behavioral models. The context in which we view an event or the perception that we have of it is the one area that can be changed. It is the one area that can be disputed so that a crisis can be stabilized.
ABC Model of Crisis intervention
ABC Model of Crisis intervention is supported by scientific methods with evidenced based practices. They are used to treat crisis situations, change behaviors, and reduce suicidal ideation. These practices use the reframing of perception of events (thoughts about the event) to help. By helping a person to change the way that they see the event, a human services crisis worker can do the work of crisis intervention in a short amount of time. An example that many may be familiar with is at the loss of younger loved one (crisis), wherein one might ask themselves why this had to happen and why were they taken away when they were so young, it’s not fair! (perception) and the crisis begins with resistance of acceptance.
With the help of the ABC Model of Crisis intervention, the crisis worker can help the person suffering from the crisis. It can change that viewpoint or accept it by reframing. The helper may have to go with age old maxims like life must go on. They are in a better place. We just don’t know what god has planned or even that person just might be needed some place else.
Reframing techniques
Any one of these are valid reframing (cognitive disputation) techniques. These could assist in changing the way that the viewer sees that event. The ABC Model of Crisis intervention can help move a person from one perception which can cause great pain like, “it’s not fair” to another thought which may reduce crisis situation levels (the pain will probably still be there but the person can function again) like, “although it does not seem fair, how am I to question life and its plans, there may be something bigger involved here.”
This ABC Model of Crisis intervention may seem simplistic or even unreal. During a crisis, when a person needs help as quickly as possible, a rewrite of their perception is crucial. It can help that person to cope. The intervention may not completely alleviate the situation. It might just bring the levels of crisis down enough so that it can be managed. The person receiving the intervention can be helped to begin functioning again.
References
Kanel, K. (2015). A Guide to Crisis Intervention (5 ed.). Belmont, CA. Brooks/Cole.
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