Abstract
The subjects of the stages and the definition of crisis will be explored in this research paper. A type of crisis and an interventions strategy will be applied. The story of Mark who is a student that is having problems with binge drinking will be applied. The multicultural perspectives that are applied in crisis intervention and the ethical considerations will be explored. These perspectives will be explored from the contributions of Baldwin (1978), Beck (2010), Fairchild (1997), Flannery and Everly (2000), Gilliland and James (1993), Hendrix et al. (2003), Hendrix- Ferguson (2000), James and Gilliland (2013), Roberts (2000), Rueveni (1979) and Slaikeu (1990).
Crisis is the individual perception of an event that is intolerable and difficult to address. The crisis usually surpasses the capacity of the individual’s coping mechanisms, and available resources. The crisis can derive acute cognitive and behavioral outcomes in the event that relief is not provided. The crisis could be the outcome of barriers to the individual’s objectives and hindrances to the individual objectives that appear to be insurmountable. In the event that specific situations cannot be addressed, the crisis results in a disorganization that disrupts the individual’s conventional coping mechanisms. Crises are produced in four stages. The stages take place when the critical situations happen and the individual’s coping strategy is sufficient. The second part of the crisis takes place when the individual’s experienced an augmented perception of disorganization and stress that correlate to the event. The increased disorganization and stress usually lead to perceptions that the crisis surpasses the individual’s coping abilities. Additional cognitive resources may be required in order to address the disorganization and stress related components of the crisis (James & Gilliland, 2013). The definition of crisis, crisis intervention strategies and the multicultural and ethical perspectives will be explored from the perspectives of Baldwin (1978), Beck (2010), Fairchild (1997), Flannery and Everly (2000), Gilliland and James (1993), Hendrix et al. (2003), Hendrix- Ferguson (2000), James and Gilliland (2013), Roberts (2000), Rueveni (1979) and Slaikeu (1990).
The primary elements of the personality disorganization may require a point of reference in order to find a resolution. In the event that the crisis escalate to the point of the circumstances requiring intervention in order to avoid the individual causing damage or mortality, a behavioral emergency takes place. The crises are not only perceived as dangerous due to their overwhelming characteristics. The crisis can derive severe pathological problems that include homicide, suicide. In addition, the crisis is an opportunity that compels the individual to seek for assistance. Crisis can have a dangerous quality when the crisis becomes overwhelming to the individual (James & Gilliland, 2013).
In the search of a reference point for the resolution of the crisis, the potential for self-growth becomes possible while the individual who is experiencing the crisis is receiving assistance. Crises are complicated; they are difficult to comprehend and are defiant of the descriptions that delineate caused and effect. There are imbalances that usually accompany the crisis episode. In the imbalanced component of the crisis, there is usually anxiety and the discomfort that is perceived by the individual that provides a motivation for change. The individuals who are experiencing crisis usually are receptive to a number of categories of intervention. A few of these interventions are detailed as brief therapy. The imbalance that is experienced by the individual may be idiosyncratic or universal (James & Gilliland, 2013).
All individuals normally exist in a condition of emotional equilibrium. A crisis has unique char5acteristics for each person, notwithstanding that the crisis of one individual may appear to be similar to the crisis of another individual. The manner of interpretation and the manner of addressing the crisis may be distinct. All individuals experience an inability that is deterrence from problem resolution. The crisis with the condition of the individual psychological balance is constantly being assaulted by stressors. When individuals emerge form a crisis, they are better equipped to address the future. This implies that all is not irrecoverable in the event that the person experiences an adverse situation during any of the stages of crisis (James & Gilliland, 2013).
Erikson perceived that there are eight stages to individual development s. These eight stages that delineate Erikson’s theory of psychosocial production detail the influence of social experiences during the individual’s entire lifespan. In each stage, Erikson theorized that people undergo conflicts that have the qualities of being focal points for development/. Erikson perceived that the crises conditions have the center on the production of a psychosocial characteristic or the inability of developing the required characteristics. In these periods, the possibility of personal growth is elevated; notwithstanding, the potential for failure is also elevated. In distinct points of life all people experience crises of certain qualities. It is important to explore the manner by which the crisis are addressed and the coping mechanisms that are applied in order to overcome the crisis (James & Gilliland, 2013).
Crises can be divided into three segments. A crisis is composed of the precipitating occurrence, a perception of the occurrence that causes the individual to experience subjective distress and the deficiency of the individual convention coping techniques that have the causal attribute of the individual who is experiencing the precipitating occurrence to decrease in their ability of functioning in comparison to the ability of functioning prior to the event. It can be detailed that the precipitating event is the circumstance that derives the individual experiencing the crisis state, the perception of the occurrence is in the manner that it is undergone. An individual conceptualization of the crisis influences the manner by which the individual reacts and responds to the emerging situation. The crisis is not solely dependent on the occurrence in its self. A crisis may be defined as an event that exceeds the capacity and the resources of the person who is experiencing the crisis to effectively address the situation. It is quite often the subjective experience of the individual who is experiencing the crisis that distorts the situation in manners where the individual perceives that they do not have the adequate coping mechanisms in order to address the situation (James & Gilliland, 2013).
The crisis that will be viewed is that of a student, Mark who is experiencing problems at school. Mark is a first generation Russian. .Mark is currently experiencing a substance abuse problem. The problem has become so overwhelming that Mark has decided to seek counseling. The primary strategy that will be applied is the substance abuse crisis intervention. The ethical and legal elements that require consideration in the application of the crisis intervention will be explored. In addition, the most effective approaches will be recommended (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
Euro- Asian Americans are diverse populations that are composed of a variety of subgroups that have distinctions in religious perspective. The cultural values that are exercised by Mark and his family have cultural values. These cultural values include self-discipline, shame, filial piety and respect for the social environment. The filial piety that Mark is experiencing is what has been motivating him to take heed to his father’s advice and come to the counseling crisis intervention session. Mark honors his mother and father as he holds his head down in respect and replies to the therapist during the crisis intervention session. This type of reverence to the father and the mother is very common in Russian families. The quality of perceiving shame is seen as a behavioral control mechanism (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
Mark’s drinking habits and decreasing school grades have caused his family to feel shame in the community. The primary reason that Mark's father concurred with the first therapy session is attributed to the referral of Mark’s guidance counselor at school. It is apparent that Mark has been exhibiting no self-control with regards to his drinking. Mark is accustomed to receiving straight A’s in classes and now as a result of his drinking, he is recovering D s in classes. The social environment of which Mark is a part causes him to try to be accepted by his peers. Consequently, Mark allows the social norms to influence his behavior. The drinking is a social norm that is held by the group in order. In addition, Mark has been demonstrating fatalism in the form of denying that his drinking has become a problem and refusal in seeking professional help. The self-perception of fatalism will be an obstacle to Mark’s treatment (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990)
Crisis Situation
In this circumstance, Intervention with regards to Mark’s behavior is important due to his drinking being the cause of his becoming a danger to himself and to others. Mark has been detained by the police twice for driving while intoxicated. Mark’s haphazard behavior has caused his counselor to recommend him and the members of his family to a mental health counselor. Mark’s scholastic progress has decreased due to his drinking in private. Mark’s mother Ana and his father Andrei, emigrated from Russia over a decade ago. This emigration was performed in order to provide a better life for their son. Andrei and Anna would like their son to become a professional. Mark’s father perceives that Mark has been behaving in this manner due to his dating a neighborhood girl. The characteristic of dating a girl and the influence of his peers could be the causal attribute of Mark’s drinking problem (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
Mark could be ingesting alcohol in order to try to fit in with his peers. Mark’s father has demonstrated extreme disappointment in the behavior that Mark has been exhibiting. The arrests for driving while intoxicated have only aggravated the situation. If Mark is detained once again while intoxicated while driving, he may have to spend a year in court mandated counseling and a correctional facility. Andrei is hesitant during the first meeting due to the attribute of Mark having the ability of improving his grades and stopping the heavy drinking. It is important that that mark agrees to continue the therapeutic intervention (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
In order to initiate the intervention strategy, the therapist must consider the required therapy for Mark’s excessive binge drinking, dangerous behavior and Mark’s academic aspirations. The clinician must take the particular needs that Mark has into account, in addition to the important component of substance abuse counseling. The therapists must contemplate Mark’s necessities and the substance abuse counseling. Marks’ entry into a substance abuse programs will greatly improve his potential for success (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
Mark’s Responsibilities
The therapist has to consider the preoccupations with regards to mark’s cultural and ethical challenges. These cultural issues are Mark’s Russian heritage and his integration into the American society. It could be that the acclimatization that mark has experienced has influenced his discernment. Mark has been influenced and has been affected by his American friends that seek to dominate over his Russian heritage. Mark has adopted values, patterns of behavior and attitudes in order to facilitate his acceptance into the peer group. Notwithstanding, in the adoption of this behavior, Mark has forsaken his ethic identity. This is also perceived by Mark’s father, Andrei. The drinking problem that Mark has been exhibiting has had the qualities of being more social and confined to private areas (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
The ethnic identity development that Mark would have (i.e., language and appearances) have had an adverse influence on his socialization and familial interactions. The cultural values suggest drinking moderately. In addition, Andrei the father has stated that in their belief system, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is not encouraged. Notwithstanding, Mark has been binge drinking and manifested behavior that is the outcome of a substantial amount of stress with regards to his academic future and his perceptions of personal failure (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
In European and Asian cultures, shame is applied as a behavioral control and will more than probably have the outcome of the family members withdrawing their support and approvals. Consequently, the therapist must acknowledge that the family members may have made a difficult choice in attending during the first session. The therapos6ty can determine that Mark’s father is upset with regards to Marks ’ behavior due to Mark’s demonstration and the results of Mark’s behavior. This behavior has been characterized by Mark’s erratic binge drinking, the driving under the influence arrest by the police department and the lowering of Mark’s grades (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
As Mark has the ethnic identity of respecting his parents, he has followed the recommendations of the school counselor in attending the therapeutic session. In European and Asian cultures, filial piety is demonstrated by sacrificing one’s personal ambitions or desires for the wellbeing of the family. Mark does not perceived that he has a problem with this driving while intoxicated due to his father having operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Mark has commented that his father was detained several years ago for driving while intoxicated. Notwithstanding, the therapist continues to perceive that Andrei is worthy of respect as Mark is attending the therapeutic session. Consequently, this manifestation of behavior is an assertive indicator that Mark continues to have respect for his father (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
The first approach with regards to crisis intervention is to assess and to designate the issues of the elimination of danger for Mark and other with regards to his driving while intoxicated. The therapist may wish to consider the prevalence of teenage mortality as a result of driving under the influence of alcohol. The therapist should also examine Marks’ level of consumption of alcohol and ascertain if his parents have an idea of his level of daily or weekly alcohol consumption. The counseling relationship that is present between Mark, the therapist and his parents will be an integral component with respect to the effective counseling due to the cultural challenges that are involved. The therapist should also address the mental health challenges of what the parents would perceive as being appropriate to apply with Mark. Mark’s father does not speak English fluently. Mark’s mother can express herself in English. The particular issues are that Mark accept s his obligations as an adult. The therapist will also come to the realization that Mark’s father has a problem with drinking. This realization cannot be disclosed until the therapeutic relationship is established (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
In the event that the therapist communicates the legal and ethical considerations, the therapist must continue to maintain vigilance with regards to the cultural biases and values. .This cultural understanding must incorporate the issues for freedom and persecution. The males are perceived to be dominant in the European and Asian cultures. Consequently as an American male clinician, the change can be mediated consciously. The professional posture of the therapist is reviewed as a respected authority. This perception can be applied by the therapist in order to establish a relationship with the client. The role of the family in European and Asian culture has the quality of respecting emotional restraint and harmony (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
The focusing on the fundamental junctures in the initial session has the outcome of providing system relief. It is significant that the therapist do not attempt to stereotype their clients. Russians are a diverse ethnic and national group and although there may be similarities between European and Asian cultures, it becomes important not to provide a cultural value judgment. As an alternative, the clinicians have the aspiration of understanding the distinctive cultural upbringing of each of their clients and their families. It is important for the therapist to practice liberal sensitivity in order to avoid stereotyping the client (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
One of the technological implementations that can be applied in order to make Mark and his family perceive that they are more accepted is the internet. The internet enables that the communications can be readily translated to Russian. The majority of homes possess personal computing systems, tablets and smart phones. There is wireless internet in a number of public places. Anyone in the United States has the ability of being able to access the internet. The trends that may be applied in the future of therapeutic additional sessions can be conducted by means of the internet in order to establish a better and less invasive relationship between Mark, Andrei his father and Ana his mother. In addition, another characteristic of the application of technology in the crisis intervention therapeutic setting is to use to internet in order to share the information that pertains to the client’s health antecedent with other health care providers .This characteristic can facilitate the clients who have the requisite of visiting a number of distinct physicians. In addition, the internet has the ability of connecting all of the health concerns in one information system. The use of the internet can facilitate communication between the therapist and Mark’s substance abuse program (Baldwin, 1978; Beck, 2010; Fairchild, 1997; Flannery & Everly, 2000; Gilliland & James, 1993; Hendrix et al., 2003; Hendrix- Ferguson, 2000; James & Gilliland, 2013; Roberts, 2000; Rueveni, 1979; Slakeu, 1990).
Conclusion
The use of the internet is becoming more pervasive in the communications that take place between the crisis intervention therapist and the peripheral health services providers. The majority of residences possess online internet access which facilitates the capacity of communicating with the crisis intervention therapist in one manner or another. The intervention strategies for the substance abuse have been applied as an outcome of the school counselor’s recommendation to the crisis intervention therapist. This intervention was recommended by Mark’s school counselor due to the attribute of being able to avoid the potential of vehicular mortality as an outcome of mark’s driving under the influence. Mark should subscribe to a twelve step alcohol deterrence program (i.e., Alcoholic Anonymous). In addition, Mark should continue the attendance of the individual and family sessions in order to have the capacity of addressing all of the challenges in the therapeutic crisis intervention program. The crisis intervention programs have the capacity of diminishing the consumption of alcohol. .The responsibility of the crisis intervention therapist is to produce intervention strategies that are founded on evidence, tailored to each of their client’s cultural perspectives in a sustainable and multicultural manner.
References
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