Generic and individual approaches to crisis intervention.

Abstract

Generic and individual approaches to crisis intervention are outlined and discussed in terms of similarities and differences of theory and practice, with special reference to the use of mental health and nonmental health personnel in crisis intervention. The term "generic" approach is characterized by describing consistent patterns of crisis following upon a specific hazard. All such crises belong to 1 genus, and individuals undergoing the crisis are considered similar. The individual approach focuses on the specific constellation in each individual de novo. Individual approaches are usually best carried out by trained mental health professionals; for generic approaches this is not necessarily true.