Emergency and crisis intervention requires professionals who have specialized skills and experience dealing with crises. Unfortunately most professionals lack the training and broad experience necessary to conduct competent crisis interventions. The ability to assess and intervene during emergencies is not a routine skill. Most doctors, faith based counselors and psychotherapists have good intentions but don't realize how unstable, critical and demanding a crisis can become. Incorrect assessment, missed opportunities, unskillful behavior and mistakes can prolong a crisis, create new problems, or turn an urgent problem into a dangerous emergency.

Urgent, crisis intervention and emergency services deal with a broad range of psychological and social problems. Problems can develop abruptly or slowly over time. People facing a crisis or an emergency, as well as the people who become involved, can experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms as well as changes in their routines and relationships. Some problems represent an emergency and require an immediate intervention and stabilization. Most problems are not emergencies. Most are urgent and require evaluation or attention within 3 days. A qualified emergency and crisis intervention professional can evaluate a crisis and can advise you regarding the necessary steps to take.

Emergency Problems (usually immediate assistance)
Dangerous, threatening, violent, self-harming, destructive or suicidal behavior.
A significant risk of violence or risk of suicide.
Abuse, especially child abuse or abuse of the elderly.
Mental and emotional problems that have not been evaluated and may be caused by a medical problem.
Strange, bizarre or unusual behaviors and symptoms that have not been evaluated or treated.
Conditions in which taking or failing to take medications may be causing or may cause significant physical, mental or emotional harm.

Crisis Problems (usually assistance within 24 hours)
Emergency problems that have been evaluated by a qualified professional and based on that evaluation can wait until the next available appointment within a 24 hour time frame.
Potentially dangerous, threatening, violent, self-harming, destructive or suicidal behavior which has been evaluated by a qualified professional who feels the problem can wait until the next available appointment within a 24 hour time frame.
Abuse and especially domestic violence where there is no immediate risk of violence.

Urgent Problems (usually within 3 days)
Symptoms of psychological and social problems that disrupt important activities.
Behavior or a pattern of symptoms that may lead to crisis in the near future.
Exposure to or involvement in a traumatic event or experience characterized by dangerous circumstances, a loss of life, a serious injury, a life threatening experience or physical assault.

Routine (usually within 1 week)
Symptoms of psychological and social problems that disrupt activities.
Behavior or a pattern of symptoms that may lead to additional problems, become more difficult to change, or urgent problems in the future (but not immediate future).
The person is competent, knowledgeable and familiar with the current problem or issue, and based on that knowledge, is comfortable and willing to wait for a convenient appointment.