Essay on Crisis Intervention PDF

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SAFE 109 Assignment September 11th, 2020 Tava Cook Introduction to Crisis Intervention Shelann Bundus

Why is it important to learn about crisis prevention w when hen dealing with at risk youth with behavioral and emotional problems ? Youth Care Worker’s must learn about Crisis prevention because there is a higher risk of a situation becoming out- of-control or violent behavior by a client or student in our work environment. Due to Nature of the work, which could be an example of you discussing difficult problems or working through academics. These will increase strong emotions (stress, frustration, anxiety, etc.) Factors tied to the Youth/Child; They may have experienced trauma, such as violence, abuse, or may be dealing or dealt with mental illness. They may also have grown up with a lack of positive role models. Lastly, Skillset of the Youth/Child; due to lack of communication skills instead, you will find often that a Child/Youth may rely on aggressive behavior to display emotions. For example, they may destroy property, hurt themselves or others, to get your attention. Our job as a Youth Care Worker is to understand that many do not have the skills to cope with a crisis. Therefore, we must excel at understanding and able to support the Child/Youth with positivity, teaching skills, while also developing trust. During this course, I would like to be more educated about the Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA). This is important to me because violence prevention is a community responsibility, we should be able to work together to promote and maintain safety and strive to prevent violence. The second topic, I would like to be educated more about prejudice attitudes and how preconceived notions about a person’s race, color, gender, or sexual orientation could affect a

Youth Care Worker from properly supporting a Youth/Child. Being aware of any preconceived notions, that I have will allow me to be aware of them so I can leave them, behind before entering my workplace, so I can give a Child/Youth my full support. Lastly, I want to learn more about how to take a supportive approach instead of a defensive approach. This is important to me too because I want to be able to build relationships with my clients, I do not want them to feel strong emotions such as anger and anxiety. I want to be able to prevent a crisis. Using the defensive approach, only adds fuel to the fire. What are your personal strengths, attributes, an and d abilities? I am an observant person; I tend to notice every little detail about someone, especially their body language. Over time, I have determined which emotions a person may be feeling, due to looking at them closely. For example, I might see that my friend is showing signs of being anxious because they are biting their nails, shaking their leg, and speaking quickly. Being an observant person will help me in future situations as Youth Care Worker because I can read signals and signs, which will help me prepare, intervene, and prevent a crisis from starting or becoming out-of -control. In a situation where because observant does not help myself or my client, I will still be able to use my communication skills to ask the Youth/Child what may be going on. I am also an empathetic person. I find it easy to put myself in other shoes and see their point of view. Which will make it easier for me to connect with a client. This will help me have a better understanding of what the client may be going through when it comes to a crisis. Although being empathetic is a wonderful thing, it can also have its downfalls. I tend to feel people's emotions more strongly, which can cause stress, grief, and helplessness. Being aware of my feelings can help me, push forward, and give the Youth/Child the full support they need. I

am trustworthy and have patience. Which is particularly important when you are building a relationship with a client. Trust, allows the client to know that they’re able to open up to you and talk about whatever is on their mind, patience helps the client understand that you aren’t there to rush them that what they’re telling you is valid, which reduces the risk of a crisis taking place. In a case where trust and patience do not work, I would ask for help. What are your greatest co concerns ncerns and/or ffears ears aab bout being involved in a potentially threatening or dangerous sit situ uation? My greatest concern about being in a potentially threatening and dangerous environment would be my client, co-workers, and I’s safety. The most important thing to do is to recognize precipitating factors that can help us predict future acting out behaviors. Common precipitating factors would be fear, pain, loss of personal power, etc. Being aware of signs and signals will help you prepare, intervene, and prevent a crisis from happening. If there is a case where a client is not calming down, there are many steps to take when a crisis occurs to ensure safety. First step, do not be aggressive or intimidating, taking it personally is the main reason workers escalate crises this might provoke the client even more. The second step makes sure to avoid staring but remember that you do need to make some sort of eye contact to see what is going on in the situation. The third step always checks the client's muscles, fists, and fingers, and pupils (clenching fist, white knuckles, and dilating.) The fourth step minimized the target area, take a defensive stand. Then allow the client to end the conflict on by their choice. Always remember when in doubt, exit the situation and always have someone as a backup. You do not have to be the hero.

What are your ve verb rb rbal al triggers (wo (word rd rdss by others that atta attacc k oorr put you down)? Give a couple of examples an and d explain why they are triggers for you?

The problems with triggers are that they produce reactions, for example, the fight or flight responses. Flight is a defensive behavior and fight is an aggressive behavior. Triggers may also cause strong emotions. There are three steps to avoid being triggered. Step one is defusing yourself; take a breath. Step two do not take things personally, when a client is upset, they often do thing or say thing they do not mean when they are hurting. One of the worse things you can do as Youth Care Worker is take are hurting personally. Step three is watching your non-verbal signs; do not roll your eyes this will just add fuel to the fire and often upsets the client even more which can cause a situation to become out-of -control. I feel triggered when someone says, “What do you want me to do about it?” I feel like this is a sarcastic response, that only makes me feel even more alone in a situation. Another verbal trigger of mine would be “What’s your problem?” This triggers me because it is a useless phrase that puts the problem back on the person who needs aid. I do not like admitting that I have a problem, so instead of using this phrase, I am more comfortable with people saying, “How can I help?” or “I see you need help, let me suggest.” What are your nonverbal triggers (behavior/gestures bbyy others that se sett you ooff)? ff)? Give a couple of examples an and d explain why they are triggers for you? Non-verbal triggers are behavior or gestures that set people off. One of my main non-verbal triggers would be when someone rolls their eyes at me. I feel like this trigger me because I have

always been told it is a sign of disrespect. I also feel like it is a passive-aggressive response to a situation or person. It is often used to dismiss someone or disagree without physical contact. My second non-verbal trigger would be when someone invades my personal space. I feel like it is important for me to feel comfortable in a situation. I did not grow up in an overly loving and friendly family. Therefore, when someone is in my personal space, I often feel overwhelmed and extremely uncomfortable. My last non-verbal trigger would be when people get upset and kick, throw and punch objects or people. This triggers me because when I was younger, I lived in an abusive environment. I also find it highly disrespectful. After being triggered, what can you say or do to calm yourself do down wn and and/o /o /orr not escalate the situation situation?? When handling my triggers, I always make sure not to deny them. This is important because then I am more prepared when I do become triggered. I always make sure to defuse myself and take a deep breath when I am triggered, this helps me clear my mind and calm down. The second thing that I do is tell myself, not to take things personally. This helps a lot because I am often triggered over things that I have no control over and either does the other person. For example, I plan a night out with my friend, and he gets an important phone call saying there is a family emergency. It is not his fault, and he is not leaving me on purpose, so by telling myself it is not personal you did nothing wrong, it helps my anxiety. Lastly, when I am triggered, I always make sure that I am aware of my non-verbal signs because I know that it, can cause even more trouble. For example, my friend says something rude that triggers me, I need to be aware of my facial expressions because it could add fuel to the fire . My friend could see my facial expression as an open gate to start more conflict.

What attitudes and/or prejudices do you have that could influence and/or affect your abilit abilityy to respond to crisis? A prejudice that I have is that sometimes I think children should know things that they do not. For example, I often believe that they should come into my life with a specific skill set and that is not always the case. Which can in times become frustrating when they do not. We tend to blame others, but that does not end up doing any good for or our client. Instead of assuming a child has a specific skill set, I should often be flexible and adapt to my client’s need, so they can grow and develop their skills. Another prejudice that I have is all kids that have been in the system are trouble. Although deep down I know this is not the case this is a prejudice that I have. Instead of assuming this, I should understand the struggles that a Youth/Child in the system has faced and how it has affected them mentally, emotionally, psychically, and even spiritually. Being able to understand this, will help me become a great support. Identify and discuss three feelings (an emotion) tha thatt might affect your ability, as a helper, to handle a conflict situation effectively effectively.. There are many feelings as a Youth Care Worker that can affect your ability to handle a conflict situation effectively. For example, fear would be one of them. If a client happens to be yelling and this causes you to become triggered and you become afraid of handling a conflict situation, you could find yourself in a situation where you do not handle it correctly. Another example would be if a client opens to you about abuse or neglect. This could cause strong emotions (Anger, Anxiety, Hopelessness) This could get in the way of you supporting your client

to the fullest and being able to handle a conflict situation effectively. Another feeling that could affect the way you had a conflict situation effectively would be anger. If you are angry at a client over something they said or did, you might not what to support them and help them with a conflict. Instead, of being anger always remember not to take things personally. Identify and discuss three respon response se patterns (an action, thought or attitude) that might a affect ffect your ability, aass a helper, to han handle dle a confli conflict ct situation effectively effectively.. When children often do not have the skill sets, they become aggressive to communicate sometimes I forget about this and often assume that their behavior has no other meaning than they are just being bad. I must realize that this behavior does not always mean that the Youth/Child is being bad, it could be a desperate way of communicating. Another thing could be a child rolling their eyes, this could be bad behavior but also could just be a cry out for help. Lastly, swearing this is often something a Youth/Child will do when they are feeling threatened and powerless, this could also be a way of showing that something isn't right This could affect the way I handle a conflict situation because I could assume that the Youth/Child is just being bad but it could be something more than just that. What is th thee relationship between ffeelings eelings and response patterns patterns?? The relationship between feelings and response patterns is that feelings are emotions we experience when we are triggered, aroused/and or stressed out, and response patterns are behavioral actions or an attitude or belief that we have towards someone or something. When you are feeling different emotions, your behavioral actions may be different . Reflecting on changing your attitudes and beliefs and even your triggers will produce different response

patterns. Although this will not eliminate them, sometimes we as Youth Care Workers cannot escape the way that we may be feeling and our response. Although, knowing how to manage our feelings helps us prevent a crisis from happening. There are a few steps we can take to help us with feelings. First step is self-talk, second step is thinking the situation through, third step is be aware of the environment (people, doors, etc.) Always remember not to ignore but acknowledge and accept your feelings. For example, if there is a client that is a lot larger than you are, that begins at yell you during a hard conversation. You might start feeling fear or uneasiness. Your response pattern is important instead of freaking out, you may want to consider, self-talk; he is yelling is not directed at me, but more so the subject of the conversation. Think through the situation; This conversation is a hard topic to talk about, we should take a break. Be aware of your environment, there are other adults in the room that can help you in case the situation begins becoming out- of-control....