Clear crisis focus leads to a clear definition of the crisis.  If we can confidently answer the four focus questions, then we can define the crisis.  We know what the crisis is, what is wrong, how bad it may get, who is affected, and why our intervention is required.  As we will see, knowing these things gives us a firm foundation for the development of our intervention strategy.

Mrs. F calls the hot line.  She is crying and seems somewhat desperate.  She had called the hot line a few minutes earlier but had hung up rather abruptly.  You tell her that you are glad she called back; you had been worried about her.  I was telling you about my son.  He is still not going to school.  Just doesn’t pay any attention to me.  I have told him and told him that he is going to get into trouble.  Just won’t listen.  Kids these days think they know it all and won’t pay attention to anyone.  He may be involved in drugs.  I know he’s running around with a no-good bunch.  They already have been into it with the police.  [You ask: What happened?]  Two or three of them stole a car and went for a joy ride.  The police finally stopped them, but no charges were filed.  He keeps doing it and getting off.  I hope it catches up with him one of these days.  I finally talked to an attorney about it and decided to have him brought to juvenile court.  My family thinks I’m terrible.  They think I’m wrong.  They think I don’t love him.  ‘How could I do that to him if I really love him?’  They just don’t know.  They don’t have to live with him.  He just comes and goes as he pleases.  He’s never home unless I have company.  Then he’s always around acting smart and showing off.  He always messes things up for me.  I don’t know.  Maybe if I had stayed with his dad, he could have handled him.  I sure can’t.  [You ask: Are you and his father divorced?]  About ten years now.  I can’t be mother and father both.  I tried, but the bills and the house and everything are just too much.  I have been dating a very nice man, and I’m afraid he’ll quit coming around because of the way my son acts.  I think I have a right to some happiness, too, and my son just keeps messing things up for me. …

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