INTRODUCTION TO CRISIS COUNSELING & INTERVENTION

At certain stages in life, many individuals experience some type of crisis. It isn't easy to find someone who hasn't been through one kind of challenge or the other in life. It is inevitable considering we are living in a fallen world.

Defining the term "crisis."
A crisis is defined as a situation or event in which a person feels overwhelmed or has difficulty coping. A crisis is stated to be a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life. A crisis is a situation or a turning point in a person's life that severely destabilizes and interferes with their mental or physical health. The loss of a family member, loss of a job could result in significant financial challenges, and other problems. During such times, people experience a wide range of feelings, and each person's response to a crisis is different. It is normal to feel frightened, anxious, or depressed at such a time. Examples of extreme emergencies cases include domestic violence, rape, suicidal thoughts, threats to harm others, etc

In crisis counseling, the objecitve  is for the counselor to provide emotional support and assistance for the individual in crisis.  In a nutshell, crisis counseling focuses on minimizing the stress of the event, providing emotional support, and improving the person’s coping strategies.  We will spend more time touching on crisis counseling or crisis intervention counseling  as it is also called in later sections. 

Crisis Counseling can be categorized into four components:

Assessing The Situation –  This step involves the counselor listening to the client, asking questions, and determining what the client needs for support.  This step is where the skills of active listening comes in. 

Educate/Information – Those dealing with a crisis often seek information about their current condition and steps they can take to navigate through the situation. A counselor will help address these concerns.

Offering Support – Support is key when it comes to counseling someone in crisis. They want to know you are there for them.  A counselor provides a safe space for receiving support, stabilization, and resources.

Develop Coping Skills – Along with providing support, a counselor will assist the client in developing coping skills/strategies  to help with the crisis at hand and any future events that may occur. 

Before we look at the role of Christ-Centered or Biblical Crisis counselors, let us find out more about the general role of these professionals and what is required to become one.

Obtaining Training in Crisis Counseling
To become a Biblical Crisis Counselor working within a ministry setting, an individual will undergo specialized training. A bachelor's degree in a field like psychology, social work, or counseling may be required to work as a crisis counselor in secular settings.

Specialized training may include recognizing how and when to call law enforcement or other first responders and how to develop a crisis response team in a church setting. 

In addition to specialized training and/or obtaining an undergraduate degree mentioned in previous lessons, there are essential skills and traits a biblical crisis counselor must possess:

1. The individual must be a born again Christian and active Disciple of Jesus Christ. 

2. The individual must be empathetic and compassionate - Empathy is the ability to understand and share in another person's emotions and feelings.

3. The individual must be respectful and understanding – Showing respect involves communicating to others that they are of value. This is crucial since people in crisis often have low self-worth.

4. The individual must possess good verbal and written skills.

5. The individual must apply scripture/biblical text to the conversation. The Bible is full of great examples and applicable events you can share. However, one must also stay focused on the individual's issue as they share scripture.

6. The individual must have excellent customer service skills. Your initial conversation and approach makes a lot of difference. It determines how the rest of the conversation and possible meetings will go.

7. The individual helps guide the counselee to the right resources. The crisis counselor should frequently refer the counselee to additional resources. Always keep in mind that there are relevant and helpful resources that can impact the counselee's life in addition to your counsel.

8. The individual must be a good listener - Good listening skills involve been intentional about hearing what the speaker (the counselee) is saying to you. You must listen to what they are saying and also what they are NOT saying through verbal and non-verbal body language.

How Can You Help Those Who Experience These Types of Sufferings/ Distress?
As a Christ-centered/Biblical Crisis Counselor, there are some ways that you can support individuals who are facing one crisis or the other in their lives.

See below of examples of Scripture showing periods of crises in the lives of God's people.

1. Job – We all know the story of Job – He is probably one of the best examples of a person who faced a severe crisis in his life. He lost his health, children, properties, and everything he practically owned. He experienced tremendous physical and mental suffering. See the whole book of Job and James 5:10-11.

2. Samson – This influential and physically strong servant of God experienced great despair at the end of his life due to his wrong choices. He was still used mightily by God in the end. See the book of Judges Chapters 13 through 16.

More listed in the course material.

Christ-Centered/Biblical Crisis Counseling and Intervention is essential for believers who are struggling with life's issues and drowning in them. The crisis counselor must be able to come alongside them lovingly and compassionately to help deliver them from the oppression of the enemy of their souls, satan. The enemy's only job is to steal, kill, and destroy. John 10:10. He is ready to destroy believers physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Please note that only students of the Diploma in Biblical Counseling & Crisis Care Program are permitted to take the final exam for this course.  It is NOT required for individuals who are enrolling in this course for their own personal enrichment.

Complete your exam here and reach out to the school for your grades. 

Congratulations on completing the course!