A Single-session Crisis Intervention Therapy Model for Emergency Psychiatry

Area of Science:

• Emergency medicine
• Psychiatry
• Mental health

Background:

• Anxiety and depression diagnoses are increasing in emergency departments (EDs).
• Non-psychiatric clinicians need skills for psychotherapeutic interventions.
• Brief interventions are essential for managing acute mental health crises.

Observation:

• A case report details an 18-year-old woman with suicidal ideation.
• The patient presented to the emergency department with severe anxiety and depressive symptoms.
• The patient's presentation highlighted the need for rapid assessment and intervention.

Findings:

• A brief, single-session crisis intervention model was successfully applied.
• This model facilitated the patient's safe discharge from the ED.
• The intervention demonstrated practicality and utility in a real-world clinical setting.

Implications:

• This model can guide non-psychiatric clinicians in EDs.
• It aids in identifying patients suitable for ED discharge versus hospitalization.
• Implementing such models can improve ED efficiency and patient care for mental health emergencies.