When a client is experiencing frustration and multiple disorders in his/or her life, then it is called a crisis situation. "Crisis" does not refer to the actual situation, but rather the client's feelings (fear, shock, distress) regarding the disruption. In a crisis, the client's coping abilities will not work effectively as a result of the extreme levels of emotional instability, causing disequilibrium and dysfunction.

It is important to remember that crises:

1. Are temporary
2. Cause disturbance and dysfunctional behavior
3. Force the loss of coping strategies
4. Have long-lasting ramifications

External causes of a crisis can be:

1. Bereavement
2. Unemployment
3. Natural disaster
4. Surgery
5. Imprisonment
6. Terrorism
7. Violent crimes against people
8. Other extreme losses

Internally, a crisis can cause:

1. Hopelessness
2. Despair
3. Depression
4. Suicidal impulses
5. Post-traumatic stress
6. Bad drug reactions

Transitional causes of a crisis can be:

1. Relocation
2. A new family member
3. Job changes
4. Retirement
5. Sickness
6. Divorce
7. Family conflict
8. An absent family member

When working with clients going through a crisis, remember that addictive clients have a high probability of having lately used chemicals, which may have negatively altered their judgment or impulse restrainment. Also, the chemical use may have negatively affected a mental illness, and the client's thinking may be impaired because of it. If a client contacts the counselor and is clearly going through a crisis, the counselor should respond by seeking information about the client's whereabouts (if the counselor is contacted by phone), gaining the help of friends and relatives, and then calling the police if needed.