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Problem solving with families in psychiatric emergencies

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Abstract

The first phase of the interview with families in psychiatric emergencies assesses the emergency and the family system. This is in preparation for the second phase, problem solving. Problem solving can consist of crisis intervention, social systems brokering, and/or therapy consultation. The authors describe a way of thinking about and intervening in family emergencies that maximizes therapist leverage and effectiveness with highly stressed and difficult families.

Case examples are used to illustrate both the utility of the approach and the mistakes the authors made when certain tasks were ignored. The effective practice of emergency psychiatry is enhanced by the flexible use of systems and strategic principles.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adult Outpatient and Psychiatric Emergency Services, The Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital, 21204, Baltimore (Towson), MD

    Richard A. Perlmutter M.D. (Director)

  2. the Division of Family Programs, Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 300 Crittenden Boulevard, 14642, Rochester, NY

    James E. Jones Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Richard A. Perlmutter M.D.
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  2. James E. Jones Ph.D.
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Additional information

The authors acknowledge the assistance of Frederick Becker, Dr. Howard Dichter, Dr. Margot Fass, Dr. Timothy Weber, Dr. Lyman Wynne, and the staff of the Strong Memorial Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Service.

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Perlmutter, R.A., Jones, J.E. Problem solving with families in psychiatric emergencies. Psych Quart 57, 23–32 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01064974

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