Page:What is Crisis.pdf/12

  What would you do?   A 36-year old male caller identifies himself as Joe Smith, a resident of 2345 Park Place. He calmly informs you that he intends to take a gun and shoot his ex-wife who is currently living with another man. He has obviously been drinking.

Directive or Non-directive

What would you do?   You receive a call form an obviously angry woman who says a Crisis Center counselor has mistreated her the night before and she wants to file a complaint with the Executive Director. She demands his home phone number. When you say you will have to take a message and have him return the call in the morning, she becomes furious and is verbally abusive toward you. She says she will call the newspaper and tell them what a shoddy operation this is unless you comply.

Directive or Non-directive

What would you do?   The past three times you've worked your shift, a caller by the name of Ann has requested to speak with you specifically. She is a 16-year old who, according to the Crisis Center records, has occasionally been suicidal. She tells you that you are the only one who really seems to understand and care about her. Whenever you mention anything about other counselors who can help her, she becomes very despondent and starts talking about how nobody loves her.

Directive or Non-directive

What would you do?   A caller whose presenting problem has been loneliness and social isolation begins asking you personal questions, e.g., “Are you married?”, “What do you do for a living?”, “where do you go to church?”

Directive or Non-directive

What would you do?   A caller requests a referral to a therapist for treatment of her depression. After giving her several names, you find out she is already in therapy but feels misunderstood and uncared for—“He only cares about my money. He's just not very warm. All he does is say, ‘uh-huh, that must be very hard for you’ for a solid hour. It's a waste of time!”

Directive or Non-directive

What would you do?  

Key:

 Items which would likely result in a Directive response: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6,</li> <li>Items which would likely result in a Non-Directive response: 3, 7, 8, 9, 10</li> </ul> Volunteer Manual/Section 3/REV 07/07/14