HN220-01: Prevention and Crisis Intervention
Professor: Darlene Levy
Unit 7 Assignment
Crisis of Loss and Crises Related to Substance Abuse
As human service professionals, how do we work with clients who are going through the crisis of losing a loved one? In this paper, I will be discussing how I would try to help a couple; Sally and Mike who lost their 6-year-old son to cancer a month ago. Mike is here to support Sally because she feels that her life is over and that she has no reason to live. Sally admits that she feels guilty for still living and going on with life. Sally cannot accept the fact that a child dies before a parent. It is not the normal way of life. Mike is going crazy because all he hears from Sally is her telling God to take her and bring her son back. Mike, on the other hand, feels that this is just life. He believes that his son was here for only a short time and that his work is done. Mike admits that he has no idea what is wrong with Sally or how to help her because he is doing just fine.
Working with this case it is very important for me to make Sally feel as comfortable as possible and that she can trust me with her feelings. In order to do this I must apply the ABC model of crisis intervention where I as the professional must (A) develop rapport and maintain contact, (B) identify the problem and provide therapeutic interactions, and (C) coping (Kanel, 02/2006, p. 70). I would develop rapport with Sally by actively listening to her and showing empathy. I would also ask questions that will help her open up to me such as: How do you feel about losing your son? Sally expresses that she feels guilty for still living and going on with life; I would ask if she is thinking about hurting herself.
Sally is in the stage of denial and isolation/shock, which according to Kanel (2006) are both a healthy and familiar initial reaction. It cushions patients from the initial shock and allows them to deal with both their hope...