Best-selling author Richard K. James presents the latest skills and techniques for handling real crisis situations. Authoritative and based on the author's extensive experience teaching crisis intervention courses, the new edition presents a six-step model for dealing with people in crisis: Defining the Problem, Ensuring Client Safety, Providing Support, Examining Alternatives, Making Plans, and Obtaining Commitment. Using this model, the author then builds specific strategies for handling a myriad of different crisis situations - in many cases providing the dialogue that you might use as a nurse, minister, police officer, counselor, or other practitioner. At the end of this course, you will have developed skills and strategies that you can take out of the classroom and onto the street.

Average Customer Review: ( 17 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.

While lacking some historical perspective on the development of this methodology, the book incorporates a variety tools useful to the mental health professional. These tools well make up for the exclusion of a short history on crisis intervention.

The authors clearly defined various helping situations (i.e., suicide, sexual assault, spousal abuse, and chemical dependency) and demonstrated how their applications assisted in the resolution of these issues. Furthermore, Gilliland and James added the sections on extreme circumstances, such as hostage taking, as well as professional concerns, such as burnout.

For those entering the field, this text provides a wealth of information. Those that are well seasoned will still find this a useful reference.

On first glance, I was surprised to find this text so easily read, particularly when dealing with such a serious subject, yet I have returned to it time and again in my own practice for ideas and direction.

Thank you.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:

a textbook you can understandFeb 09, 2009
By counseling student
This is an easy read with a lot of good information. There is dialogue from sessions with clients that helps to bring the point into focus.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

Crisis Intervention StrategiesDec 23, 2008
By Thomas La Roche "Psych911"
As both a retired Police Hostage Negotiator and a Criminology Professor, I believe this text should be the bible for training entry level human services workers.

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:

Excellent book for all counselors and social workersApr 06, 2010
By L. S. Tollman "eternal researcher"
I am reading this book for an online class I'm taking for my license clinical addictions specialist. I am very impressed with the level of expertise of the author, as well as his sense of humor. I'm learning a lot.

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:

Awesome bookSep 27, 2009
By I Russ
I really enjoy reading this book. It gives good and detailed information on how to handle crises situations.

See all 17 customer reviews on Amazon.com