HN 220 Unit 5 Assignment The ABC Model of Crisis Intervention
The ABC Model of Crisis Intervention
HN220: Prevention and Crisis Intervention
Kaplan University
The ABC model of crisis intervention refers to the conduction of very brief mental health interviews with clients whose functioning level has decreased following a psychosocial stressor also known as a crisis (Kanel, 2007). This method was first introduced by Gerald Caplan and Eric Lindemann in the 1940s, other variations of this model have developed over the years. The ABC model is a 3 step problem-focused approach used to provide temporary and immediate relief that has been known to work best when applied within 4 to 6 weeks of the precipitating event (Kaplan, 2007). The focus of the ABC model is to identify the aspects of a crisis or precipitating event/crisis, the client 's perceptions about the event, personal anguish, failed internal coping mechanisms, and the inability to function (Kanel, 2007).
The first phase or the A phase of this interviewing process is creating contact with the client. This is accomplished by establishing an informational, trusting and mutually respectful relationship between the clinician and the client. This is established through attending behaviors such as maintaining focus on the client and active listening to the client. This helps the clinician gain a clear understanding of how the client perceives the crisis. Lacking this understanding the clinician is unable to assist the client in changing their perception of the event and therefor unable to help the client improve their level of functioning. Without building this basis, foundation or rapport the client may not feel as though the clinician is trusting, empathic, accepting or non-judgmental and will not move into the B or C phase of the model (Kanel, 2007).
The B phase of the model is identifying the problem, this is known as the most critical part of the process. During this stage there is a number of specific items that the clinician needs to identify:
HN220: Prevention and Crisis Intervention
Kaplan University
The ABC model of crisis intervention refers to the conduction of very brief mental health interviews with clients whose functioning level has decreased following a psychosocial stressor also known as a crisis (Kanel, 2007). This method was first introduced by Gerald Caplan and Eric Lindemann in the 1940s, other variations of this model have developed over the years. The ABC model is a 3 step problem-focused approach used to provide temporary and immediate relief that has been known to work best when applied within 4 to 6 weeks of the precipitating event (Kaplan, 2007). The focus of the ABC model is to identify the aspects of a crisis or precipitating event/crisis, the client 's perceptions about the event, personal anguish, failed internal coping mechanisms, and the inability to function (Kanel, 2007).
The first phase or the A phase of this interviewing process is creating contact with the client. This is accomplished by establishing an informational, trusting and mutually respectful relationship between the clinician and the client. This is established through attending behaviors such as maintaining focus on the client and active listening to the client. This helps the clinician gain a clear understanding of how the client perceives the crisis. Lacking this understanding the clinician is unable to assist the client in changing their perception of the event and therefor unable to help the client improve their level of functioning. Without building this basis, foundation or rapport the client may not feel as though the clinician is trusting, empathic, accepting or non-judgmental and will not move into the B or C phase of the model (Kanel, 2007).
The B phase of the model is identifying the problem, this is known as the most critical part of the process. During this stage there is a number of specific items that the clinician needs to identify:
References: Kanel, Kristi. A Guide to Crisis Intervention, 3e, 3rd Edition. Cengage Learning, 02/2006. VitalBook file. Ray, L. (2015). Characteristics of a Good Crisis Counselor. The Houston Chronicle, pp. http://work.chron.com/characteristics-good-crisis-counselor-7007.html.