The final phase of the assessment comes after we have developed an understanding of the cause or causes of the individual’s crisis.  Our understanding of possible causes includes possible effects.  An example may serve to clarify the point.  Suppose your married daughter calls you one afternoon, and she is quite upset and crying.  From some of the things she says, you get that fear in the pit of your stomach that comes with recognition that someone may be suicidal.  At a minimum, she is confused and hysterical.  We have some ideas about what might have caused these intense emotions and feelings.  In addition, we know that people who become that upset are very caught up in their own feelings and emotions.  Frequently, one effect of this intense self-concern is to forget or to be unable to deal with other responsibilities, for example, the care of young children.  As you respond to your daughter and her crisis, discussion about her children may not develop spontaneously.  Our knowledge about this kind of crisis though, should prompt us to inquire about the children.  Where are they?  Who is taking care of them?  We know that one possible effect of the mother’s crisis may be her unintentional neglect of her children.  It is our responsibility to be aware of this possible effect of her crisis and to check out the situation.

As you think about the possible causes of a variety of crisis situations, you begin to develop notions of possible effects or undesirable situations that frequently accompany such crises.  Considering and thinking about this dimension of crisis intervention will stimulate your imagination and enable you to foresee possible consequences by drawing on your own experience and common sense. …

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