TRIAGE ASSESSMENT

There is no indent on an abstract. An abstract is a paragraph that summarizes the most important parts of the entire paper. It briefly allows your reader to quickly obtain an overview of your writing. It is an accurate reflection of the purpose and content of the text written in clear and concise language within the limit of 150 to 250 words.

Using the Triage Assessment Form

Include the title of your paper centered at the top of the page, not bolded; it is not considered a heading. *This first section is your paper’s introduction. Note that it does not have a heading; its position at the beginning of the body of the paper implies that it is the introduction. In the body of your paper, indent the first line of each paragraph. As always, use double spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, and 1.0 margins all around the page layout. Throughout the paper, please support your work by citing at least four current resources (including your textbook). For the purposes of this assignment, simply replace this text with a brief paragraph in your own words introducing the topic and informing the reader of the organization of the paper.

Triage Assessment of the Client

Complete the Triage Assessment Form for the selected case, including all three domains and the total score. In this section of the paper, summarize the results and provide a logical and articulate rationale for each of the domain ratings with specific descriptions of each, by relating the specifics of the case to the ratings you determine. There is detail about using the TAF in Chapter 3 of your text, as well as the assigned Myer and Conte article. Use appropriate terminology, such as the psychobiological assessment found in Chapter 3 of your text, and language found in the TAF Severity Scales, to guide the course of treatment based upon your total score.

Diagnostic Skills and Techniques

Elaborate on diagnostic skills and techniques that can be used to screen for addiction, aggression, and danger to self and others, as well as co-occurring mental disorders during a crisis, such as the Hybrid Model and the ABC’s of Assessing Crisis Intervention found in Chapter 3 of your text. Discuss what counseling skills you use in a triage assessment of this client.

Developmental and Cultural Considerations in Crisis Assessment and Intervention

In this section of the paper, describe how you would differentiate between the characteristics of crisis states versus developmentally appropriate reactions to life obstacles. Describe crisis assessment and interventions considerations and strategies when working with diverse populations. Consider any cultural, diversity, or even gender issues that may be involved in assessment or intervention with your chosen scenario. Give examples of what you would include in your assessment and intervention.

References

Cite your textbook and at least three scholastic articles in your paper. The reference below provides an example citation for an article.

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume# (issue#), xx–xx.

Triage Assessment Form: Crisis Intervention

© by R. A. Myer, R. C. Williams, A. J. Ottens, & A. E. Schmidt

Crisis Event

Identify and describe briefly the crisis situation:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Affective Domain

Identify and describe briefly the affect that is present. (If more than one affect is experienced, rate with number 1 being primary, number 2 secondary, number 3 tertiary.)

Anger/Hostility ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Anxiety/Fear ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sadness/Melancholy ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Affective Severity Scale

Highlight the number that most closely corresponds with client’s reaction to crisis.

1	2 3	4 5	6 7	8 9	10
No Impairment	Minimal Impairment	Low Impairment	Moderate Impairment	Marked Impairment	Severe Impairment
Stable mood with normal variation of affect appropriate to daily functioning.	Affect appropriate to situation. Brief periods during which negative mood is experienced slightly more intensely than situation warrants. Emotions are substantially under client control.	Affect appropriate to situation but increasingly longer periods during which negative mood is experienced slightly more intensely than situation warrants. Client perceives emotions as being substantially under control.	Affect may be incongruent with situation. Extended periods of intense negative moods. Mood is experienced noticeably more intensely than situation warrants. Liability of affect may be present. Effort required to control emotions.	Negative affect experienced at markedly higher level than situation warrants. Affects may be obviously incongruent with situation. Mood swings, if occurring, are pronounced. Onset of negative moods are perceived by client as not being under volitional control.	Decompensation or depersonalization evident.

Behavioral Domain

Identify and describe briefly which behavior is currently being used. (If more than one behavior is used, rate with number 1 being primary, number 2 secondary, number 3 tertiary.)

Approach ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Avoidance ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Immobility ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Behavioral Severity Scale

Highlight the number that most closely corresponds with client’s reaction to crisis.

1	2 3	4 5	6 7	8 9	10
No Impairment	Minimal Impairment	Low Impairment	Moderate Impairment	Marked Impairment	Severe Impairment
Coping behavior appropriate to crisis event. Client performs those tasks necessary for daily functioning.	Occasional use of ineffective coping behaviors. Client performs those tasks necessary for daily functioning, but does so with noticeable effort.	Occasional use of ineffective coping behaviors. Client neglects some tasks necessary for daily functioning.	Client displays coping behaviors that may be ineffective and maladaptive. Ability to perform tasks necessary for daily functioning is noticeably compromised.	Client displays coping behaviors that are likely to exacerbate crisis situation. Ability to perform tasks necessary for daily functioning is markedly absent.	Behavior is erratic, unpredictable. Client’s behaviors are harmful to self and/or others.

Cognitive Domain

Identify whether a transgression, threat, or loss has occurred in the following areas and describe briefly. (If more than one cognitive response occurs, rate with number 1 being primary, number 2 secondary, number 3 tertiary.)

PHYSICAL (food, water, safety, shelter, et cetera):

Transgression _____ Threat _____ Loss _____

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PSYCHOLOGICAL (self-concept, emotional well-being, identity):

Transgression _____ Threat _____ Loss _____

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS (family, friends, coworkers, et cetera):

Transgression _____ Threat _____ Loss _____

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MORAL/SPIRITUAL (personal integrity, values, beliefs):

Transgression _____ Threat _____ Loss _____

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cognitive Severity Scale

Highlight the number that most closely corresponds with client’s reaction to crisis.

1	2 3	4 5	6 7	8 9	10
No Impairment	Minimal Impairment	Low Impairment	Moderate Impairment	Marked Impairment	Severe Impairment
Concentration intact. Client displays normal problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Client’s perception and interpretation of crisis event match reality of situation.	Client’s thoughts may drift to crisis event but focus of thoughts is under volitional control. Problem-solving and decision-making abilities minimally affected. Client’s perception and interpretation of crisis event substantially match reality of situation.	Occasional disturbance of concentration. Client perceives diminished control over thoughts of crisis event. Client experiences recurrent difficulties with problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Client’s perception and interpretation of crisis event may differ in some respects from reality of situation.	Frequent disturbance of concentration. Intrusive thoughts of crisis event with limited control. Problem-solving and decision-making abilities adversely affected by obsessiveness, self-doubt, confusion. Client’s perception and interpretation of crisis event may differ noticeably from reality of situation.	Client plagued by intrusiveness of thoughts regarding crisis event. The appropriateness of client’s problem-solving and decision-making abilities likely adversely affected by obsessiveness, self-doubt, confusion. Client’s perception and interpretation of crisis event may differ substantially from reality of situation.	Gross inability to concentrate on anything except crisis event. Client so afflicted by obsessiveness, self-doubt, and confusion that problem-solving and decision-making abilities have “shut down.” Client’s perception and interpretation of crisis event may differ so substantially from reality of situation as to constitute threat to client’s welfare.

Domain Severity Scale Summary