Emergency Care and Crisis Situations. Your clinician is not able to provide emergency services or psychiatric medications. Individuals who, because of psychiatric difficulties, need substantial case management, on-going medication adjustments, and/or emergency clinician access, are generally only appropriate for therapy during times of stability of their illness. Clients who are experiencing a crisis are encouraged to discuss this with their clinician as soon as possible so that a crisis plan can be developed. A crisis may be generally defined as a situation or period in which the person’s usual coping resources fail, and they experience a state of psychological disequilibrium in which they may be at risk for impulsive or harmful behavior. There are many examples of crisis situations, which may include: a client who is struggling with suicidal thoughts, a teenager who under distress runs away from home, a psychotic client who experiences severe symptoms such as hallucinations or paranoia because they have discontinued medications, and an alcohol/drug client who relapses to uncontrolled drug use with danger of overdose or serious harm. Such clients may or may not constitute an imminent danger to themselves or others; nevertheless, sometimes a judgment must be made to protect the client. It is the policy of TRUE CONNECTIONS COUNSELING, PLLC to which you consent as a client to provide conservative treatment during a crisis situation. Your clinician would work with you to establish a plan to restore normal functioning as soon as possible. In addition to coping skills and possible environmental changes, this may include consultation with your physician, or if necessary, a family member or significant others. Your clinician may divulge your client status and the minimal treatment information necessary to protect you during a crisis period. The need for such action will be discussed with you beforehand if at all possible. This exception to normal confidentiality would remain in effect until the crisis is over or your care has been successfully transferred to another mental health provider or treatment program. This crisis policy requires you trust in our professional judgment to balance risks with your rights to confidentiality. In times that your clinician is unreachable the client who is in an emergency is instructed to contact their physician or other community resources directly such as 911 or MHMR Crisis Line (800-762-0157).
Emergency Care and Crisis Situations. The Center is unable to provide emergency services or psychiatric medications. You may try to reach your therapist in urgent situations by calling the Center number, but it is important to have an alternative plan in place, particularly in times of crisis. It is important that you inform your therapist as soon as you are aware of a crisis, upcoming significant stressors, suicidal thoughts, etc., so that you can work together to develop a crisis plan and find services that are available to you at all hours of the day. If you are having an emergency, please call 911, head to your nearest emergency room, or contact one of the crisis hotlines (1- 800-SUICIDE (0-000-000-0000), 1-800-273-TALK (0-000-000-0000), 0-000-000-0000).
Emergency Care and Crisis Situations. The Psychological Services Training Center is not able to provide emergency services or psychiatric medications. Individuals, who because of psychiatric difficulties need substantial case management, ongoing medication adjustments, and/or emergency clinician access, are generally not appropriate for a training clinic. Such patients may be seen at the clinic when their situation is stable. Patients who are experiencing a crisis are encouraged to discuss this with their therapist as soon as possible so that a crisis plan can be developed. A crisis may be generally defined as a situation or period in which the person’s usual coping resources fail and he or she experiences a state of psychological disequilibrium in which he or she may be at risk for impulsive or harmful behavior. Patients in crisis may or may not constitute an imminent danger to themselves or others; nevertheless, sometimes a judgment must be made to protect the patient. The policy of the Psychological Services Training Center to which you consent as a patient is to provide conservative treatment during a crisis situation. Your clinician would work with you to establish a plan to restore normal functioning as soon as possible. In addition to coping skills and possible environmental changes, this may include consultation with your physician, or if necessary, a family member or significant others. If you are a student living in university housing, it may mean letting appropriate university officials know of your situation. The clinic may divulge your patient status and the minimal treatment information necessary to protect you during a crisis period. The need for such action will be discussed with you beforehand if at all possible. This exception to normal confidentiality would remain in effect until the crisis is over or your care has been successfully transferred to another mental health provider or treatment program. This crisis policy requires you trust in our professional judgment to balance risks with your rights to confidentiality. The crisis policy is consistent with a training clinic that supervises graduate trainees. The clinic instructs patients who cannot reach us and are having an emergency to contact their physicians or other community resources directly, such as the 24-hour crisis line at 800)652-2929 or 800)345-6785. ___________ Patient Initials
