Practise of Crisis Intervention among Malaysian Counsellors

Abstract

Abstract. Crisis intervention is a method used to handle people in crisis. It offers immediate, short-term help toindividuals who experience distressful or traumatic event. Crisis may cause psychological breakdowns andopportunity depends on how it been intervene. Thus, counsellors must practise effective crisis intervention inhandling crisis cases. This study aims to examine the 1. counsellor's understanding of crisis; 2. process usedby counsellors in conducting crisis interventions; 3. model used by counsellors on handling crisisintervention. 21 counsellors' with crisis intervention experience selected as a sample by purposive sampling.A semistructured interview method used to obtain information. The findings were obtained using frequencyand content analysis through the development of themes according to the research questions. The findingssuggest majority (11 counsellors) understand that crisis is an event that has an impact on individuals. Fivecounsellors pointing out that crisis is an event or conflict that causes the individual not to function properlywhile three others further state that crisis as a sudden occurrence in life. One responding counsellorunderstands that crisis needs an immediate solution while another counsellor sees that crisis a need that canbe help through counselling session. The findings also shows that counsellors list various processes ofintervention, including; identify problems; ensure safety; give support; exploring alternatives; make plans;get a commitment; provide follow-up assistance and general counselling processes. Findings on model ofcrisis used shows that 11counsellors were uncertain on the model they used. Five counsellors stated that theyare using the module or other crisis intervention guidelines to replace the existing crisis model. Threecounsellors used the Gilliland Model and two used the Roberts Models. This study explains the grasp ofMalaysiancounsellor's on crisis, the process of crisis intervention, and model used in handling crisisintervention. This finding also clarifies that Malaysian counsellors still need more knowledge and training oncrisis interventions according to proper crisis model.