Bshs 445 - Interventions Case Study

Interventions Case Study

BSHS/445

February 12, 2018

Robert Decker

Interventions Case Study

Prior to implementing a crisis intervention, one must first consider many factors in order to plan one properly. Upon arrival, the crisis worker will need to assess the situation and make initial contact so they may begin to identify components related to the case. Setting up a working relationship will set the tone for the process the client is about to experience during the aftermath of the traumatic event that caused the disarray in their life. Being able to determine and examine the best fit intervention strategies for the situation is a skill all in its own a human service professional should master in order to be a productive crises worker. Finally, recommend a strategy that could be implemented to promote change will put the client on the path to recovery. All these essential factors are further discussed in the Sexual Assault: "Intervention Strategies for Rape and Battery: The Case of Melody."

The Case

Melody Swanson is 50 years old and has recently experienced a traumatic event where she was abducted, beaten, raped, robbed, and then eventually abandoned. Melody is a mother of two, divorced seven years ago, lives alone as of two months ago, and is a teacher in her community. After returning Sunday evening from a mini-getaway for the weekend, she was meet in her driveway by a gunman who appeared to be in his middle 20s. Upon which she was taken away at gunpoint in his vehicle he beat her then proceeded to an isolated area where things got much worse. He began to beat her again prior to raping and robbing her when he was done he abandoned her; she was left all bruised and bleeding with her clothes all shredded. Melody is not sure how long she was out there for before she managed to get herself to the nearest house. By 8:30 am the next day the police officers and paramedics had brought her to the trauma center of a hospital (James & Gilliland, 2017, p. 248). 

Examining Crisis Components & Intervention Strategies

A key component to crisis intervention is the professional along with the skills they possess that one is appointed to; in Melody’s case, her crises worker who specializes in rape cases is from the local sexual assault and domestic violence center. Another factor to consider will be the working alliance built immediately in the aftermath of the trauma as it is a vital part and one of the most crucial intervention techniques a professional should master (Cloister, Stovall-McCloughan, Miranda, & Chembtrob, 2004). Being able to provide psychological first aid (bonding, safety, assessment, and exploration, not necessarily in that order) will nurture the client as it will address the flood of emotions and thoughts they might be having. Giving the client “information about the psychological processes occurring within her as a start to develop coping skills and regaining emotional and cognitive control” (James & Gilliland, 2017, Chapter 9). In the first days following the traumatic event, formal assessments and interventions are not recommended therefore the crisis components related to the case will be to get the client to a state where therapeutic intervention strategies may begin. Thus treating the acute reactions, outward adjustments and the integration and resolution of the experience will have to be monitored while firth the worker is to focus on getting the client stabilized, safe, and supported.