Crisis Intervention: 6 Core Steps & Essential Skills

The 6-Step Model

1. Establish Rapport: Create safety, trust, non-judgmental presence. Calm tone, open body language.
2. Active Listening: Reflect, paraphrase, validate feelings. Let them tell their story fully.
3. Empathy & Validation: "I hear how overwhelming this is." Normalize reactions.
4. Collaborative Problem-Solving: Identify immediate concerns → brainstorm options → choose one concrete next step.
5. Develop Coping Strategies: Grounding (5-4-3-2-1), breathing, safe-place imagery, crisis plan (who to call, where to go).
6. Follow-Up: Check in within 24–48 hrs. Connect to ongoing support (therapy, crisis line, community resources).

Key Principles

• Stay calm; your regulation co-regulates them.
• Don't solve for them—empower with them.
• Know your limits: refer to professionals for safety risks (suicide, violence, psychosis).
• Crisis lines: 988 (US), local equivalents globally.