What is a best-practice sequence for crisis intervention to address immediate safety?

• A. Call the client’s family to decide what to do.
• B. Wait until danger passes on its own.
• C. Assess risk, create safety plan, remove access to means, refer to emergency resources as needed.
• D. Document incident and resume therapy at next session only.

Answer: (C)

Immediate safety is the priority in crisis intervention, so the best sequence focuses on actively reducing risk in real time. Start with a clear risk assessment to gauge immediacy, lethality, and access to means, while noting protective factors and available supports. With that understanding, work with the client to build a concrete safety plan that specifies coping strategies, who to contact in a crisis, and steps to reduce risk if thoughts of self-harm or harm to others recur. Then remove access to potentially lethal means or tools in the environment, such as securing firearms or medications and ensuring safe housing or supervision as needed. Finally, arrange referrals to emergency resources or crisis services when danger cannot be mitigated through collaboration alone, including contacting emergency services or considering inpatient care if indicated, to ensure immediate stabilization.

Calling the client’s family to decide what to do bypasses consent and confidentiality and can undermine autonomy and safety. Waiting for danger to pass on its own leaves a window of high risk unaddressed. Simply documenting the incident and resuming therapy at the next session neglects the urgent need to reduce harm in the moment.