Crisis Intervention Field Interview

Crisis Intervention Field Interview
In the event of a crisis, there are people such as therapists, and counselors that can be a source of help. I had the opportunity to interview a private practice therapist who is no stranger to people in crisis. At any given time a crisis can occur, it is not prejudice in whom it affects. A crisis a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change (Company., 2002, 2001, 1995 ). A crisis can affect a single person, though job loss, loss of a child, or divorce, to name a few personal crises. It can also affect several people at once during a force of nature, such as Hurricane’s, fires, or blizzards. Some crisis can be predicted when
it comes to weather, however, that doesn’t always prepare people for the repercussion of a disaster, that is when someone who has knowledge of that specific crisis will be needed.
I conducted an interview with Mary Moran, a private practice therapist. I would start the interview with the basic questions of her location and qualifications. Her specific job is long-term counseling. Mary said her office, since 1993, can be found in Illinois. She can be reached at 1-708-339-1316. Prior to her private practice she had two other offices located in Lansing, IL and South Holland, IL.
She has worked with chemical dependency, the psych, and behavioral units at two hospitals. Her initial counseling work began in 1985 with domestic violence, and did follow-up care of a year of group counseling, she adds the same was true for addictions and general psych patients. Aftercare was always a part of the treatment which affords a way to follow the progress or lack of progress. She received her Master’s degree from Governors State Counseling Psychology, a qualification in this career, she has also obtained an undergraduate in education. Mary, at the age of 66, reflected on a crisis of her own. She had stage four throat, and neck cancer three years ago, in which she is cancer free as of today. Since her recovery, she has begun accepting clients, but only works part-time. I asked Mary how she takes care of herself to avoid burnout, her reply was engaging in exercise and outside activities. She loves to be at home also, and enjoys her flowers. She frequently visits Chicago, IL to enjoy the art fairs and festivals, dinner with friends and movies. She is a huge football fan and entertains friends for Sunday games.
Mary, looking disconsolate, talked about helping her sister during her unsuccessful fight with cancer. Subsequently, this began her work with terminally, chronically ill clients, including their families. This was conducted Monday through Friday, sessions being at the clients’ home. Her other clients would be seen Tuesday-Thursday. She has attended over 500 wakes in support of the surviving families. Mary states the most frustrating part of this type of counseling was it is was never known how the families turned out after the deaths. Often times these families resumed to their lives all across the map, never to hear from them again.
What does Mary consider her best part of the career? Some of the aspects of her job include the bond of trust that is entrusted with from her clients, their spouses, and their children as the years go by. Mary finds herself privileged to listen to people’s secrets, fears, hopes and joys. She adds her current counseling is a pleasure, that it is a gift to be able to assist those searching for options which will profit them. She feels she will be sad when she is no longer able to work in this field.
I asked her personal thoughts on career burnout. She states one occurrence came 9 months prior to her cancer. Her personal physician felt working with end of life clients was draining her strength. She claims that the emotional part of death can be exhausting. Consequently she completely gave up that aspect of counseling up before her own battle began. She contributes her successful fight with cancer to her wonderful spiritual program, and terrific support system. She states she is never uninterested, or feels burnout with “well counseling.”
I asked Mary her encounters with “difficult,” patients she replied that those are the people who are not in counseling to change himself/herself. Those being the ones who manipulate their employer, the court system, the spouse etc. The only service she can offer in that situation is to point out to the family, or employer how they enable the problem. Furthermore, her job is not to “fix” a client’s problem. It is her job to listen and empathize with the client. Together they sort out options and choices, not miracles.
She works in conjunction with a physician who takes her input and will prescribe medication when needed. It is also her job to assist in changing what isn’t working, and proposes new behaviors. The client ultimately decides their path to his/her success she states. Mary says that there have been clients who are admitted in the hospital for addiction treatment, however,, it is then up to the client to decide whether or not they will stay clean and sober. She has had to refer clients to other therapists who have more experience in that particular field. I concluded the interview with the realization of how important the crisis worker is. The clients are expecting you to help rescue them, and resolve their crisis. We as people generally go through life in a self-centered state, I was awakened to the fact that there are people out there in a worse situation than I am. I have learned through this class, and my interview with Mary, that there is more to this profession than initially thought of.
I never really grasped the extent of a crisis, and the lengths a professional goes to help someone, or in some cases a multitude of people, back to an equilibrium state. I also came to the realization that if a crisis worker is in a state of burn-out or not serious about their role it can be detrimental to a person and their recovery.
This particular profession definitely needs someone who is committed and knowledgeable in a lot of areas. I feel this is a profession that you will need to continuously educate yourself, since we are confronted with new crises all the time. Someone who graduated 15 years ago in this field did not deal with problems such as Isis, Ebola, and overpopulation, to name a few. It seems that a person in the Crisis Intervention field is a something that the world will always have a need for.
Mary was a joy to interview, she was down to earth with a great sense of humor. She is educated and very compassionate. I felt a sense of honor while interviewing her, she seems passionate and zealous about her work, and she genuinely cares for the lives of others. This interview showed me the role of a crisis worker as described in our textbook. She describes the different disorders a person can have on a level I could comprehend, and, that corresponded with our
textbook.
I believe that someone can be taught or born into a family where they are the “crisis” handler. In my family, my mother was a pro at teaching us to handle certain unexpected crises, such as poverty, abuse, sickness, job loss. In the event of a crisis, depending on the crisis, there would be one of us that would be able to take control and help each other back or to a state of equilibrium.
Being a General Manager at a fast food restaurant I prepared myself for any unforeseen crises.
Having this knowledge made if possible to successfully run a smooth operation, ensuring the customers received the service they expected, and give the employees a safe and workable environment.
The knowledge obtained in this class and from my interview made me recognize that a crisis can occur at any time, you can encounter a crisis in your daily life while driving, going to the store, or in your neighborhood. You may be the one in the crowd that can clearly think through a crisis, even without training, maybe through experience or you may just be able to handle stressful circumstances naturally. It may not be a textbook solution, but I believe that everyday ordinary people can help someone through a crisis.
I, personally, am going through a crisis of my own, suffering from Bipolar, I am presently in a state of major depression. I am finding it difficult to complete any school work, leave the house, talk to people, and stay out of the bed. I have had to seek the help of a professional because after two years I have been unsuccessful in digging myself out of this depression. After trying several medications, I still suffer, nothing seems to be working. The knowledge I had from prior episodes are not functional in this situation, this forces my doctor and I have to create a fresh solution to my
crisis.
A crisis worker is there to help someone or several people get through a difficult time in their life. You need to constantly learn new solutions to many different crises. You need to deal with people from diverse cultures, and people with mental and physical disorders. This occupation can be rewarding, and it can also drain you. A healthy balance in life is needed to be effective, not just for yourself but to proficiently help someone.