Crisis counseling is not long term and is usually no more than 1 to 3 months. The focus is on single or recurrent problems that are overwhelming or traumatic. If a trauma or crisis is not resolved in a healthy manner, the experience can lead to more lasting psychological, social and medical problems. Crisis counseling provides education, guidance and support. Crisis Counseling is not a substitute for individuals who need, and are not receiving intensive or long term psychiatric care. Crisis counseling may involve outreach, work with in a community and is not limited to office or telephone counseling sessions.

Understanding our problems. It is the fundamental intention of all people to do the best they can with the resources and abilities they have during a crisis. During any crisis, it is important to recognize or discover our true and deepest intention. You must keep your intentions in mind no matter what you do or how unskillfully you may act. While our intent is usually to make life better, our behavior can be misguided, misunderstood and less effective than we would hope. Self-understanding as well as understanding how others may keep us "stuck" are important keys to recovery.

If the crisis involves harm to you or to another person, call 911 for immediate assistance.

If talking to someone right now would be helpful and you live in the United States, please call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

If you live in another country other than the USA, you can log onto http://www.befrienders.org for help.