Crisis communication counseling skills are more essential than ever because

Dr. Jeri Ellis

Abstract

Crisis counseling is an important part of the counseling profession. Crisis counselors may find themselves as part of an interdisciplinary team ranging from first responders, security personnel, to physicians and law enforcement. Counselors often play the role of a bridge to critical resources and psychological fortitude for those affected by the emergency. Counselors may not be familiar with working in large team settings and must build a skill set that allows themselves to integrate seamlessly into the emergency response team. That immersion includes understanding procedures, policies, and differences between traditional counseling and response team roles. This paper introduces an interview and support of research to help develop ideas about how counselors can project mental health care to communities during emergencies.

Role of the Counselor in Emergency Management Teams

The world is a beautiful yet dangerous place. It is estimated that a community, somewhere in the world, faces a crisis or disaster nearly every day of the year (Sederer, 2012). Research also estimates that one out of five Americans will be affected by some type of emergency situation every year (Sederer, 2012). This paper will provide testimony about the role of crisis counselors in emergencies based on an interview with a mental health professional in the community. In addition to the interview, comparisons will be made between the interview and the Mental Health All-Hazards Planning Guidance (U. S. Department of Health & Human Services [USDHHS], 2003). Finally, counselors’ responsibilities in emergency management and the pre-requisite knowledge, skills, and training for crisis counselors will be reviewed.

Interview with an Emergency Professional

It was a pleasure to interview Ms. Jess Price, who works for the Phoenix Crisis Counseling Network, which is an arm of the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona (CPSA), as a crisis case manager. The interview took place in her office where she greeted me in a warm and inviting manner and offered refreshments. Price started by explaining that regional response teams have been recently used during flash floods, forest fires, and chemical spills in Arizona. While the crisis response teams are important, most of her work is with overwhelmed clients, potential suicides, and are not always related to a disaster or stand-up of a response team (J. Price, personal communication, June 5, 2014).

The conversation moved toward critical timelines. Price noted that each situation was a little different and in her experience response is far from cookie cutter (J. Price, personal communication, June 5, 2014). One important consideration as far as involvement concerns safety. Counselors in her division typically do not begin work until imminent danger is cleared and medical triage is completed (J. Price, personal communication, June 5, 2014). Any individual who is affected is eligible for services and the timelines for services vary depending on the agencies involved and type of crisis (J. Price, personal communication, June 5, 2014). She noted a recent example of a flash flood that killed two people as a good example. A crisis response team was stood up in the flood’s wake and individuals were provided services for roughly a week following the event (J. Price, personal communication, June 5, 2009). Many residents are familiar with flash floods and did not apply for services, there was little destruction, and so first responders were only used for recovery services for the victims (deaths). Counseling was only sought by individuals who knew the deceased (J. Price, personal communication, June 5, 2014). Counseling services are coordinated through the CPSA and typically are offered for about a week following the event. She made sure to note that the 24/7 crisis lines were available and could be called years after an event to deal with latent issues.