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
Role Plays and Feedback
Case application paper/ exam
Community Resources / Systemic Interactions
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
ACPR 1/14/05
VPPA 1/27/05