[Particular enlightenments on crisis situations, recurrent crises, hospitalization and intervention networks]

This article proposes an in-depth look at certain clinical aspects that have been dealt with by a crisis centre based at a general hospital that is located in a popular district of Brussels. Following a brief history of the Saint-Pierre hospital, which allows the author to touch on the hospitality dimension of taking charge of psychosocial crises, the article focuses on recurrent crises (and their corollary, multiple hospitalizations) and analyzes their psychodynamic and institutional perspectives. The author then approaches the institutional framework as a stage where the different critical phases of the patient come into play. Supported by clinical examples, the author also examines the functions of recurrent crises with respect to the patient's emotional make-up and to his or her extensive hesitation when faced with "change". Finally, the author points out the advantages and disadvantages of the indispensable link with mobile intervenors.