There are times in every life that are times of crisis. Whether the crisis is personal (feeling suicidal, depressed or alone) or interpersonal (a divorce, an unplanned pregnancy, bankruptcy, a death in the family), by nature, crisis is the “emergency stage” of these conflicts. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT NO MATTER HOW BAD THE SITUATION FEELS AND LOOKS AT THIS POINT, that CRISIS IS TIME LIMITED. If a person can just hang on and get through the crisis stage, options for problem solving become clear, once the intensity of the feelings subside.
Crisis is also self-defined. What may be a crisis for one person may not cause crisis in another person. A great deal of what makes that difference is where we are in our lives and what resources we have to deal with and address the issue. What may not have caused you a crisis in the past, may become a crisis in the here and now, if you are more vulnerable or have less support at this time. Crisis counseling is the “911″ of counseling. You may want to seek a counselor who provides crisis counseling if you feel you are in a crisis and do not know how to cope with your situation. Seeking the help and support of those around you is very, very important, as isolation tends to contribute to the overwhelming nature of feelings. It is important to know that sometimes simply sharing what you are going through with another person can help to begin to diminish the feelings of hopelessness or fear. In addition to mobilizing your own support systems, a professional counselor, your physician, or your minister can help get you through the “Emergency Stage” of the crisis, in order to begin to cope with the issues facing you.
IF AT ANY TIME YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR SAFETY IS IN DANGER, PLEASE CALL YOUR LOCAL HOTLINE, 911 OR GO TO YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY ROOM OR EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER. Remember that, by nature, crisis is time limited and will pass.The challenge is to remain as calm as possible and to seek the support you need in order to get through the crisis. Some 24 hour resources are listed below.
CRISISLINK (24 hour hotline) 1-800-SUICIDE, www.crisislink.org
The following CPC counselors work with crisis intervention. Please be aware that Center for Pastoral Counseling of Virginia counselors are not equipped to respond on a 24 hour basis, so please take every possible precaution to keep yourself safe, and a counselor will contact you to schedule an appointment as soon as they are available.
Lena Aburdene–Arlington/Washington DC
Mi Sook Ahn–Annandale/Washington DC
Suzanne Doherty–Annandale/Fairfax
Heather Guthrie-Hoey–Dale City
Gary McMichael–McLean/Sterling
Kevin Ogle–Arlington/Falls Church