Crisis intervention is part of the core service of PBH EAP.
PBH EAP counselors assess the acuity of the call, and the
nature of the problem. They then take the necessary steps
to ensure the physical safety of the caller. There are occasions
when the risk of imminent harm is so high that 911 or the
local police department must be contacted to assure the member's
safety. There are also occasions when the EAP counselor must
direct a member to the closest hospital to assure safety.
When the member (and the member's family and/or social support
system) is able to contract with the EAP counselor to not
act on violent impulses, an immediate face-to-face evaluation
is arranged. This can be done by a local psychiatric emergency
team, a practitioner/facility, or an EAP network consultant
who specializes in crisis intervention. The EAP counselor
will place calls on behalf of the member to ensure access
to one of these services.
PBH asks the provider performing the crisis intervention
services to call the PBH EAP counselor within four (4) hours
of the initial call, to relay the outcome and future plan.
This information is documented in the client's EAP file so
that follow-up can occur.
The Employee Assistance Program Association (EAPA), defines
crisis intervention as a rapid, intensive helping process
which includes the following components:
