SOWK 613

SOWK 613: Crisis Intervention

Prerequisite: Accepted into School of Social Work or permission of the instructor

Credit Hours: (3)

This course will focus on developing basic crisis intervention skills (interviewing, assessment, intervention and follow-up). Special topics of concern in populations at risk will be highlighted: lethality/suicide/homicide; partner abuse; child abuse; school violence, workplace violence, substance abuse and the chronically mentally ill. Students will also become aware of the role of various agencies within the realm of crisis intervention and the importance of collaboration.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

1. Crisis Theory
2. A comprehensive model of crisis intervention
3. Assessment: lethality and mental status
4. Legalities and Ethics in crisis intervention
5. Practice: Assessment Skills
6. Partner Abuse and Crisis intervention
7. Addiction and Crisis Intervention
8. Knowing the Community Resources: Magistrate, J & DR Court
9. Chronically Mentally Ill and Crisis Intervention
10. Workplace Violence
11. School Violence
12 Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
13. Bereavement and Crisis Intervention
14. Post Traumatic Stress and Crisis Intervention
15. Practice: Crisis Intervention Skills

Detailed description of content of the course

This course will be delivered via lecture, discussion, videos, guest speakers, and role play. Students will arrive to class ready to discuss the readings. Hands-on experience with local professionals in crisis interventions and with the local emergency resources is required.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Students in this course will:

1. Assess persons, families, and groups in crisis situations across a broad spectrum of problem configurations.
2. Learn a comprehensive model of crisis intervention using the ecological-strengths persepctive.
3. Gain familiarity with a variety of crisis interventions (mental health, legal, etc.) and the ethical implications of the interventions.
4. Examine the role that cultural bias may play in crisis assessment. Specialized assessments and inventions with several populations at risk will be taught.
5. Will explore the roles of the various agencies in crisis intervention services, as well as the important community resources. The public nature of the crisis worker role in the community and the importance of collaboration will be clear.

At the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Accurately assess persons, families, and groups in crisis situations across a broad spectrum of problem configurations.
2. Apply a comprehensive model of crisis intervention.
3. Analyze and apply a a variety of crisis interventions, including various legal remedies.
4. Identify potential issues with cultural bias and demonstrate competence in working with populations at risk.
5. Demonstrate competent knowledge of various agencies and community resources, the nature of the crisis worker role, and the importance of collaboration.

Assessment Measures

Reading reflections

During each class which has a reading assignment, you will be asked to share a written reflection on your reading. Please be ready to share your thoughts and reactions to the reading.

Role Plays and Feedback

On two occasions we will practice specific crisis intervention skills in class. This will be informally done, generally in triads, so there can a "clinican, client and an observer". You will be expected to participate actively in the experiential format and you will give feedback to your peers.

Case application paper/ exam

You will be given a case and asked to apply appropriate theory, assessment, and crisis intervention skills. In this paper you will be expected to use references and APA format.

Community Resources / Systemic Interactions

A variety of resources will be used to expose students to the community resources available to help clients in crisis.

Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

ACPR 1/14/05
VPPA 1/27/05