LICSW Crisis Intervention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the Roberts' Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model, what is the FIRST stage a social worker should complete when working with a client in crisis?
- Establish rapport and a therapeutic relationship
- Assess lethality and safety needs (Correct answer)
- Identify the major problems
- Generate and explore alternatives
Correct answer: Assess lethality and safety needs
Roberts' model begins with assessing lethality and safety because the client's immediate physical safety must be established before any other therapeutic work can proceed.
Question 2: A client calls a crisis hotline stating they have a plan to overdose on medications they have at home. Which intervention should the social worker prioritize FIRST?
- Explore the client's history of suicidal ideation
- Assess the client's current support system
- Facilitate removal or securing of the lethal means (Correct answer)
- Develop a safety plan for future crises
Correct answer: Facilitate removal or securing of the lethal means
Means restriction is a critical, evidence-based safety intervention; removing access to lethal means directly reduces imminent risk of suicide attempt.
Question 3: Which of the following BEST describes the primary goal of crisis intervention?
- Resolve the underlying psychological issues causing the crisis
- Restore the individual to at least their pre-crisis level of functioning (Correct answer)
- Provide long-term therapeutic support for trauma processing
- Identify and treat the psychiatric diagnosis precipitating the crisis
Correct answer: Restore the individual to at least their pre-crisis level of functioning
Crisis intervention is time-limited and aims to stabilize the individual and restore adaptive functioning to the pre-crisis baseline, not to resolve underlying issues.
Question 4: A social worker is using the ABC Model of Crisis Intervention. What does 'B' represent in this model?
- Behavior patterns observed during the crisis
- Beliefs and perceptions the client holds about the event (Correct answer)
- Biological factors contributing to the crisis
- Barriers to accessing community resources
Correct answer: Beliefs and perceptions the client holds about the event
In the ABC Model, 'B' stands for Beliefs — the client's subjective interpretation of the precipitating event, which mediates their emotional and behavioral response.
Question 5: Which population characteristic would indicate the HIGHEST level of suicide risk requiring immediate hospitalization consideration?
- Passive suicidal ideation with no plan and strong social support
- Active ideation with a specific plan, access to means, and stated intent (Correct answer)
- History of a single prior attempt with no current ideation
- Chronic suicidal ideation with consistent outpatient engagement
Correct answer: Active ideation with a specific plan, access to means, and stated intent
Active ideation with a specific plan, access to lethal means, and stated intent represents the highest convergence of risk factors, necessitating immediate safety evaluation.
Question 6: A social worker responds to a disaster scene and learns a survivor witnessed the death of multiple family members hours ago. Which intervention approach is MOST appropriate at this phase?
- Conduct a structured trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy session
- Use Psychological First Aid to provide safety, calm, and connection (Correct answer)
- Administer a standardized PTSD screening tool
- Facilitate a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing immediately
Correct answer: Use Psychological First Aid to provide safety, calm, and connection
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is the evidence-informed approach recommended in the acute phase post-disaster, focusing on practical support, safety, and social connection rather than trauma processing.
Question 7: When a client in crisis refuses all offered services and denies suicidal intent but the social worker has significant clinical concern, what is the MOST appropriate next step?
- Accept the client's refusal and close the case per client self-determination
- Contact law enforcement to initiate an involuntary psychiatric hold if criteria are met (Correct answer)
- Schedule a follow-up appointment for the following week
- Notify the client's employer about the situation
Correct answer: Contact law enforcement to initiate an involuntary psychiatric hold if criteria are met
When a clinician has sufficient concern that a client poses imminent danger to themselves, initiating an involuntary psychiatric hold (per state law criteria) overrides client refusal to protect life.
LICSW Crisis Intervention 1
According to the Roberts' Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model, what is the FIRST stage a social worker should complete when working with a client in crisis?