Glossary of terms
- Crisis
- A crisis is a perceived turning point or upset in a person’s psychological equilibrium. Crises may be precipitated by a single overwhelming catastrophe or a series of smaller events. A crisis is not necessarily an emergency or urgent situation. Crises may emanate from events external to the person or from internal dynamics — though there is often an interaction.
- Crisis intervention
- A method of social work practice which focuses on ways in which personal crises can be managed and harnessed to promote positive growth and change.
- Coping strategy
- A set of actions or plan adopted to overcome perceived difficulties or threats and to meet needs.
- Cognitive restructuring
- The process of challenging and changing distorted or exaggerated views of reality.
- Defence mechanism
- An unconscious way of protecting the self from anxiety. A key concept in psychoanalytic theory.
References
- Caplan, G. (1965) Principles of Preventive Psychiatry. London: Tavistock.
- Couslhed, V. and Orme, J. (1998) Social Work Practice: an introduction. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
- Erikson, E. (1965) Childhood and Society. Harmondsworth: Penguin.
- O’Hagan, K. (1994) “Crisis Intervention: changing perspectives”. In C. Harvey and T. Philpot (eds), Practising Social Work. London: Routledge.
- Pierson, J. and Thomas, M. (2002) Dictionary of Social Work. Glasgow: Harper Collins.
- Rapoport, L. (1970) Crisis intervention as a mode of brief treatment”. In R.W. Roberts and R.H. Nee (eds), Theories of Social Casework. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Thompson, N. (1970) Crisis Intervention Revisited: a guide to modern practice. Birmingham: PEPAR Publications.