Crisis Counseling Research Articles

A Qualitative Case Study on the 24/7 Hotline Crisis Telephone Counseling Experience in University Counseling Institutions

본 연구는 대학 내 학생상담센터에서 근무하는 24시간 위기전화 상담자의 경험을 다각적인 측면에서 탐색한 질적 사례연구이다. 이를 위해 대학상담기관에서 위기전화상담 경험이 있는 3명의 상담자를 대상으로 심층 면접을 실시하였으며, 위기사례 경험, 위기전화상담의 어려움, 위기전화상담의 보람과 소명, 위기전화 상담자가 인식한 개선사항 등의 주제로 나누어 살펴보았다. 자료를 분석하기 위해 질적 연구 방법인 사례연구법을 활용하였다. 연구 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 위기전화 상담자들은 위기사례 경험으로 인한 불안과 긴장을 느끼고, 이차외상 및 대리 외상을 경험하는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 24시간 근무의 특성이 본인 수면의 양과 질에 영향을 미치며, 자신의 주변인에게도 부정적인 영향을 주는 것으로 나타났다. 셋째, 전화상담이라는 매체적 특성과 관련하여 일방향이고 일회적이라는 점, 그리고 익명이라는 점에서 스트레스를 경험하였다. 넷째, 위기전화 상담자들은 위기사례에 있어서 일차적이고 직접적인 도움을 줄 수 있으며, 학내의 자살사건을 예방하는 역할을 한다는 보람과 소명을 경험하고 있었다. 마지막으로, 위기전화 상담자들은 위기전화상담 서비스에서 개선되어야 할 사항으로 위기상담 및 전화상담에 대한 체계적 교육과 처우 개선, 심리적 소진 관련 지원 등을 꼽았다. 이러한 결과를 바탕으로 대학상담기관의 위기전화상담 서비스에 대한 시사점과 제한점을 논의하였다.This study is a qualitative case study to explore various aspects of the experience of 24/7 Hotline Crisis Telephone Counselors working at the student counseling center in university. To that end, the researchers conducted in-depth interviews with three counselors who had experience in crisis telephone counseling in the university counseling institution and divided the data into subjects of work in general, crisis case experience, difficulty in crisis counseling, value and calling, and areas of improvement the counsellors identified. The results of the study are as follows. First, crisis phone counselors said they felt anxiety and tension from experience of crisis cases, experiencing secondary trauma and vicarious traumatization. Second, 24 work hours a day affect the amount and quality of the counsellors’ sleep and negatively affect their acquaintances. Third, crisis phone counselors experienced stress as the counselling is one-way, one timeand anonymous, due to the characteristics of the channel of the phone counseling. Fourth, crisis phone counselors found it rewarding and felt the sense of calling of being able to provide primary and direct help in crisis cases and playing a role in preventing suicide attempts at the school. Fifth, for the area of improvement, they called for systematic education, better treatment of crisis counseling and telephone counseling, and psychological exhaustion-related support. Based on these results, the study defined the implications and limitations of crisis telephone counseling services of university counseling institutions

Bill Aimed at Replicating Oregon Mobile Crisis Program

Bill Aimed at Replicating Oregon Mobile Crisis Program

Lessons as a prevention intern: Eliminating sexual violence through school-based programs

Every 73 seconds another person in America is sexually assaulted. For my senior practicum, I worked at Sexual Assault Resource Center, which provides advocacy and support services, including crisis intervention and counseling, for survivors of sexual violence. My goals for my time with SARC included developing knowledge and skills related to being a trauma therapist, learning about how a nonprofit operates, and gaining an understanding of sex education and sexual violence prevention programs. As a Sexual Assault Advocate and Education and Prevention Intern at SARC, my primary responsibilities involved engaging in community outreach events, delivering educational workshops, and presenting prevention curriculum in schools. As a result of my participation, I became interested in researching school-based prevention strategies and programs aimed at reducing sexual violence, as well as their focus areas, strengths, and limitations. My research and practicum experience reframed the way I viewed prevention work, provided insight into effective prevention strategies, and reminded me of why I believe so strongly in early prevention education to reduce sexual violence.

FCC votes to designate 988 as new MH crisis hotline

The Federal Communications Commission on July 16 adopted rules to establish 988 as the new, nationwide, three‐digit phone number for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors, according to an FCC press release. The rules require all phone service providers to direct all 988 calls to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1‐800‐273‐TALK, or 1‐800‐273‐8255) by July 16, 2022. The new rules will apply to all telecommunications carriers as well as all interconnected and one‐way voice over Internet Protocol service providers. During the two‐year transition to 988, Americans who need help should continue to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling and through online chats. To ensure that calls to 988 reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, all covered providers will be required to implement 10‐digit dialing in areas that both use seven‐digit dialing and use 988 as the first three numbers in seven‐digit phone numbers.

The Effectiveness of the Discrimination Model-Based Counseling Supervisory Program in Improving Crisis Counseling Skills among Family Reform Counselors in Jordan

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a counseling supervisory program based on the discrimination model in improving crisis counseling skills for family reform counselors in Jordan. The sample of the study consisted of 30 female and male counselors, who were randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group (15) male and female counselors received the supervisory program according to the discrimination model with 90-minute 18 weekly sessions over 9 weeks, whereas the control group (15) female and male counselors did not receive the supervisory program. The Family Crisis Skills Scale which consists of 59 items was divided into three subscales: Family Crisis Counseling, Counseling Relation Skills, and Procedures of Intervention & Response to Crisis. It was used with the total sample in the pre-post-test, and in the follow-up test only with experimental group. The results of the study showed that there are statistically significant differences in the overall mean scores of the posttest and all sub-scales of the Family Crisis Skills Scale between the two study group, in favor of the experimental group. Also, the results showed that although the differences between the two groups in the overall mean scores of the post-follow-up test and all sub-scales of the Family Crisis Skills Scale were not statistically significant, there was a positive gain of improvement for the experimental group. These findings suggest that the counselors in the experimental group retained the impact of the program, and provided evidence that the impact of the program was efficient and sustainable.

The Effectiveness of the Discrimination Model-Based Counseling Supervisory Program in Improving Crisis Counseling Skills among Family Reform Counselors in Jordan

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a counseling supervisory program based on the discrimination model in improving crisis counseling skills for family reform counselors in Jordan. The sample of the study consisted of 30 female and male counselors, who were randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group (15) male and female counselors received the supervisory program according to the discrimination model with 90-minute 18 weekly sessions over 9 weeks, whereas the control group (15) female and male counselors did not receive the supervisory program. The Family Crisis Skills Scale which consists of 59 items was divided into three subscales: Family Crisis Counseling, Counseling Relation Skills, and Procedures of Intervention & Response to Crisis. It was used with the total sample in the pre-post-test, and in the follow-up test only with experimental group. The results of the study showed that there are statistically significant differences in the overall mean scores of the posttest and all sub-scales of the Family Crisis Skills Scale between the two study group, in favor of the experimental group. Also, the results showed that although the differences between the two groups in the overall mean scores of the post-follow-up test and all sub-scales of the Family Crisis Skills Scale were not statistically significant, there was a positive gain of improvement for the experimental group. These findings suggest that the counselors in the experimental group retained the impact of the program, and provided evidence that the impact of the program was efficient and sustainable.

Male Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence: MCMI III Profiles, Grossman Facet Scales, Family of Origin Experiences and Attitudes Toward Women in a Small Cohort of Men in India

Background: Personality psychopathology, substance abuse, family of origin experiences, and patriarchal attitudes are variables associated with intimate partner violence. Aim: This pilot study aimed to explore clinical and personality profiles and psychosocial variables in a small cohort of male perpetrators of intimate partner violence. Methodology: 20 men from informal settlements presenting to crisis counseling centers in Mumbai were administered the Millon Clinical Mulitiaxial Inventory III, the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale Short Form, and the Attitudes toward Women scale. Results: Millon Clinical Mulitiaxial Inventory III profiles and scores on Grossman Facet scales suggest personality psychopathology in the profiles of 95% of the men, and 85% reported anxiety. Less than 20% reported substance abuse. The men reported mutuality of violence in the relationship and espoused moderately liberal attitudes toward women. 55% of them reported violence in the family of origin. Conclusion: Our findings are helpful in providing therapeutic pointers for working with male perpetrators of violence.

Telepsychotherapy during a pandemic: A traumatic stress perspective.

The coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak poses unique challenges for psychotherapists and other mental health professionals. The widespread fear, helplessness, illness and death, economic hardship, and disruption of social support caused by the pandemic will create a global need for both supportive crisis counseling and formal mental health treatment. As physical distancing aimed at reducing contagion sharply limits in-person contact, psychotherapists have suddenly been forced to adopt new technologies and learn to provide telepsychotherapy. At this same time, psychotherapists must contend with their own stressors as part of the pandemic-exposed population. We integrate several different literatures to outline how telepsychotherapy can help psychotherapists address patient needs during this pandemic. We review epidemiological literature on the mental health impact of pandemics, crisis counseling approaches developed from prior disasters, and clinical research on telepsychotherapy treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Based on this research, we provide a roadmap for ways that clinicians can use telepsychotherapy technologies for 2 levels of intervention: (1) providing strengths-based preventive interventions to help people cope with distress during a period of disruption, life-threat, and loss, and (2) delivering effective treatments to people who develop chronic conditions in response to traumatic stress.

Analyzing Patient Experiences From Crowd-Sourced Reviews of Crisis Pregnancy Centers in California [05I

INTRODUCTION: Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) are non-profit organizations that claim provision of pregnancy counseling resources. As more patients utilize online reviews to select healthcare providers, we evaluated patient experiences of CPCs through analysis of crowd-sourced review forum, specifically Yelp. METHODS: Active CPCs were identified using the Crisis Pregnancy Center Map, derived from directories maintained by CPC national organizations. Yelp listings were identified using business name or address. Reviews were collected from every CPC in California with a Yelp listing. Repeated ideas and concepts were tagged with codes extracted from data. RESULTS: We identified 145 active California CPCs. 122 had Yelp listings. 619 total Yelp reviews were extracted by October 1st, 2019. There were 503 5-star reviews, 14 4-star, 3 3-star, 16 2-star, and 83 1-star in total. Among negative reviews (n=102), 6 themes emerged: inadequacy of medical care, lack of transparency, paternalistic approach, poor customer service, psychological harm. Among a positive review set (n=100), patient satisfaction resulted from faith-based care, accessibility of CPCs for uninsured individuals, free services, patient treatment, crisis counseling. 12.5% of reviews voiced financial stress or lack of insurance. CONCLUSION: Crowd-sourced review forums may provide data into the quality of care perceived by patients in CPCs. 84% of CPCs in California use Yelp. Patients ambivalent on pregnancy outcome felt their care was inappropriate, whereas patients continuing pregnancy felt supported. Positive reviews were not related to quality of medical care. The results of this study may help explain the wide disparity commonly observed between conventional quality metrics and crowd-sourced online reviews.

COVID‐19 prompts new executive orders from Minnesota governor

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed Executive Orders 20‐28 and 20‐29, which will expand mental health counseling options for Minnesotans and streamline the process for Minnesotans applying for unemployment insurance, Minnesota Bring Me the News reported April 6. Executive Order 20‐28 authorizes out‐of‐state mental health providers to treat Minnesota patients via telehealth services to “help ensure that the mental health needs of Minnesotans are met during the stress and uncertainty of the COVID‐19 pandemic.” The order notes that many Minnesotans receive mental health care from providers in neighboring states, and this order will allow them to continue that care via virtual means. Gov. Walz has been trying to expand Minnesota's mental health care options during COVID‐19, asking President Trump for a major disaster declaration so the state can be reimbursed for expanding community‐based crisis counseling services. Executive Order 20‐29 amends a previous order, EO 20‐05, that was designed to help Minnesotans get unemployment insurance as quickly as possible rather than waiting the previous week following the loss of their jobs. Gov. Walz also announced $6.2 million in financial assistance grants that is earmarked for Minnesota veterans and their families who have been impacted by COVID‐19 and will provide one‐time payments of $1,000.

Psychiatry’s Niche Role in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Article Abstract Because this piece does not have an abstract, we have provided for your benefit the first 3 sentences of the full text. The challenges that confront mental health professionals during a pandemic reach beyond the realm of disaster psychiatry to encompass skills in crisis counseling, public health, organizational behavior, psychopharmacology, and providing mental health support services to nonpsychiatric health care workers. Psychiatrists, like all physicians, may respond to the "all hands on deck" battle call from many health care institutions—deploying wherever and however the communal effort demands. Our primary expertise, however, entails distinguishing and managing normal from pathological responses to stress.

Federal government provides support for Tennessee tornado victims

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) announced in a March 26 press release its receipt of nearly $500,000 from the federal government to support the mental health needs of survivors of recent tornadoes. Tornadoes and severe storms on March 3 caused 25 weather‐related deaths; damaged or destroyed more than 4,000 structures, including five public schools; left more than 100,000 residents without power; and closed state government offices. The grant for $476,061 is through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Crisis Counseling & Training Program. “On top of the tragic deaths, injuries and destruction that comes with a natural disaster like this, there's also invisible damage to the mental health of storm survivors. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, post‐traumatic stress or some other trauma, it's natural for people to need professional help and healing,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams. “We're grateful to FEMA for this grant, and we're thankful for our community behavioral health providers who will be delivering these services.”

“I’m here to listen and want you to know I am a mandated reporter”: Understanding how text message-based crisis counselors facilitate child maltreatment disclosures

BackgroundEmerging research suggests technology-facilitated crisis services are a promising method to support young people during child maltreatment disclosure. Little is known about how employees/volunteers respond to child maltreatment disclosure in these platforms and how they may support young victims through the disclosure process. ObjectivesWe sought to determine how crisis counselors respond to child maltreatment disclosures using a content analysis of all conversations within a text-based crisis organization that resulted in a mandatory report. MethodsWe conducted an iterative team-based content analysis of 244 conversations (24,730 text messages) between a young person and a crisis counselor from an anonymous text-based crisis service. All conversations included in the sample resulted in a mandatory report to child protective services. ResultsThere were two crucial points in maltreatment disclosure conversations. The first occurred immediately after the disclosure. At this point, crisis counselors most often provided sympathy and affirmation. The second crucial point after disclosure was the discussion of mandatory reporting. In many cases, crisis counselors confirmed both parties understood mandatory reporting and encouraged young people to consider the repercussions of their decision to share identifiable information that would permit a mandatory report. ConclusionUnderstanding how crisis counselors responded to young people in one text-based crisis service, particularly characteristics of well-received conversations, may inform the policies and processes for other organizations. Continued exploration of crisis text-based services may improve the disclosure process for young victims.

In Case You Haven't Heard…

Crisis Text Line, a not‐for‐profit organization that provides free, 24/7 confidential crisis counseling via text, on Feb. 10 released its first‐ever national report identifying the underlying reasons people in the United States are in crisis. The report, Everybody Hurts: The State of Mental Health in America, draws on data from more than 129 million messages across 50 states since Crisis Text Line's launch in 2013, a news release stated. The report dives into mental health trends both nationally and by state. For 37% of texters, Crisis Text Line was the first time they'd ever reached out for support. And 68% of texters say they have shared something with a crisis counselor that they have never shared with another human being. Crisis counseling via text is filling a gap in the mental health care system, officials said. People in the West (Montana, Wyoming and Utah) send more texts than average about suicide, while people in the South (Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi) send more texts about depression. People on the coasts send more texts about anxiety. The issues that most often lead people to reach out for crisis counseling are depression, relationships, anxiety and suicide.

Considering methodological integrity in counselling and psychotherapy research

AbstractWithin the field of counselling and psychotherapy research, qualitative methods have been a longstanding tradition of inquiry due to the mutual interest of therapists and researchers in both internal experiences and intersubjective processes. Methodological integrity is a conceptual framework that has been advanced to increase the rigor of these methods. In this paper, we consider the value of this concept for counselling and psychotherapy researchers and reviewers. This framework guides investigators and reviewers to consider how procedures can be adapted to meet the goals of specific studies, given their characteristics and approach to inquiry. In this brief article, we exemplify the relevance and application of this concept to this field by describing the decision‐making process within the designing of a qualitative research project to investigate clients' needs within rape crisis counselling. Through this exemplar, we also provide guidance to counselling and psychotherapy researchers on considerations during the process of research review and reporting.

A Phenomenological Study on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Crisis Counseling Experience for Adolescent: Focused on Counselors’ Counseling Experience

A Phenomenological Study on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Crisis Counseling Experience for Adolescent: Focused on Counselors’ Counseling Experience

Adolescents' Engagement with Crisis Hotline Risk-management Services: A Report from the Emergency Department Screen for Teen Suicide Risk (ED-STARS) Study.

This study examines the feasibility of a risk-management protocol for adolescent research participants at risk for suicide that relies on engagement with telephone crisis counselors. The study also examines whether engagement is moderated by adolescent demographics and clinical characteristics. Participants were 234 adolescents (83% female; 63% White) ages 12-18 (M=15.3years) drawn from the national study, Emergency Department Screen for Teens at Risk for Suicide (ED-STARS) Study One sample of adolescents randomized for 3-month telephone follow-up (n=2,850). This study's sample was comprised of adolescents who completed the follow-up (69% retention), met study risk criteria, and were transferred to a crisis hotline for risk management. Engagement with a counselor was assessed by successful call connection, call duration, and information sharing. Ninety-four percent of calls resulted in a successful call transfer, and the majority of youth (84%) shared information with counselor about one or more coping strategies. Average call length was 12.6min (SD=9.9). Engagement did not vary by gender, race, age, ethnicity, or clinical characteristics. Adolescents' engagement with telephone risk-management services was strong, suggesting that this strategy can address safety. Further, findings suggest telephone risk-management services effectively engage youth across demographic and clinical subgroups.

Safety Planning on Crisis Lines: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Perceived Helpfulness of a Brief Intervention to Mitigate Future Suicide Risk.

The role of crisis hotlines traditionally was limited to de-escalation and service linkage. However, hotlines are increasingly recruited to provide outreach and follow-up to suicidal individuals. Hotlines have the opportunity to not just defuse current crises but also provide brief interventions to mitigate future risk. The Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) is a brief intervention designed to help manage suicidal crises, but its feasibility and effectiveness on hotlines are not established. This study examined feasibility and perceived effectiveness of SPI, as reported by 271 crisis counselors at five centers in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. Counselors were trained to use SPI. Self-report surveys were completed immediately after training (time 1) and at the end of the study, approximately 9months later (time 2). Counselors reported that SPI was feasible and helpful, and was used on both incoming and follow-up calls. Utilization and perceived effectiveness at time 2 were predicted by self-efficacy, feasibility, and helpfulness at time 1. Results are preliminary and limited to counselors' perceptions. Future RCTs should establish efficacy of SPI for crisis callers. The Safety Planning Intervention is a promising approach to reduce crisis callers' future suicide risk that hotline counselors report is both feasible and helpful.

Identity crisis among rural-to-urban migrant children in China: a proposal for school and government interventions

ABSTRACTAs millions of school-aged migrant children are being deprived of educational resources, social identity crisis has developed throughout schooling and become a prominent issue in contemporary China. The purpose of this article is to pull together existing empirical evidence with direct bearing on migrant children’s acculturation experiences and place these studies within a framework of compulsory education policies that can facilitate a better understanding of the insufficiency of current policies in addressing the migrant identity crisis. To alleviate the crisis, we inform policy practice by proposing three intervention approaches, directly influencing migrant children’s access to crisis counselling, validation, and support.

The importance of the post-disaster context in fostering human resilience

The importance of the post-disaster context in fostering human resilience