ABSTRACT
The systemic crisis intervention model is based on an integration of four theories: narrative, cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and experiential/existential. By definition, a crisis is time limited. According to crisis theory, if the crisis extends longer than a brief time period, the system will rest by incorporating symptomatology. Practiced over time, the symptoms become chronic and progressively entrenched in the activities and rhythms of daily living. By necessity, this dimension of the crisis state limits the time frame for intervention to a maximum of six to eight weeks. Rather than conforming to the traditional once-a-week therapeutic hour, sessions are determined by the degree of disequilibrium experienced in the system. Within this framework, most crisis counseling occurs in ten to twelve sessions over the six-to-eight-week time period. During this time, the therapist makes efforts to allow for flexibility in time and session length.
