Crisis Intervention in Integrated Care

A crisis occurs when a life stressor overwhelms a person’s ability to cope with a problematic life situation. Crises often become evident in the primary care setting. People in crisis feel distressed and alone; they experience a psychological disorganization that affects their mood and functioning. Most patients can benefit from a brief crisis intervention treatment delivered in an integrated care environment. Behavioral health specialists can lead crisis intervention therapy with the support of the primary care provider, nurses, staff, and a consulting psychiatrist. Crisis intervention treatment includes identifying the life stressor, understanding the patient’s response to stress, assessing the patient’s social system, listing possible solutions to the crisis, and working to implement those solutions. As the crisis resolves, the integrated team provides anticipatory guidance for the patient and primary provider.