CARE-Squared: Teaching a Novel Parallel-Process Approach to Crisis Management

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Clinical Psychology
• Healthcare Education

Background:

• Rising rates of depression, anxiety, suicidality, and trauma necessitate effective mental health crisis management in medical settings.
• Clinicians frequently encounter mental health crises during brief, time-limited patient visits.
• Existing Psychological First-Aid frameworks and trauma-informed care principles inform crisis intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce CARE-squared, a novel approach for teaching mental health crisis management.
• Provide a framework for clinicians to support clients in crisis while managing their own stress.
• Demonstrate the applicability of CARE-squared in diverse healthcare environments.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on Psychological First-Aid and trauma-informed care.
• Introduction of the CARE-squared four-step parallel-process model.
• Utilizing two clinical case examples to illustrate the model's application.

Main Results:

• The CARE-squared model effectively guides trainees in supporting clients during crises.
• The model facilitates maintaining patient alliance and de-escalation.
• CARE-squared aids in managing clinician stress during crisis interventions.

Conclusions:

• CARE-squared offers a novel, parallel-process approach to enhance patient care and clinician well-being.
• The model demonstrates broad applicability for clinician training and practice.
• CARE-squared has potential utility across various presenting concerns and healthcare settings.