To return to Convening's homepage, click here.

To return to Convening XXV's Table of Contents, click here.

"One Size-Does-Not. Fit All":

Creative Techniques for Risk Reduction with High Risk Clients

Kimberly. Griswold and Connie Milligan

Bluegrass Regional Mental Health - Mental Retardation Board, Inc.

710 Perryville Road

Harrodsburg, KY 40330

(606) 734-0219

Clients who are assessed to be at high risk present a-challenge whether they present in an emergency room at the hospital, au outpatient mental health clinic, or over the telephone. Typically, high risk implies some level of danger to self and/or others and requires immediate intervention on the part of the professional. To make matters more difficult, family members, police officers, physicians, as well as the client look to you, the professional for answers to the high risk situation. This presentation will focus on creative techniques, often not listed in your average textbook, for reducing risk with high risk, mental health clients.

Training participants will. he given a theoretical framework for assessment, intervention, and prevention techniques most often used with high risk clients. This will. include-up-to-date. information in the field as well as the latest statistics pertaining to suicide. The importance of documentation, consultation, and ethical issues will also be stressed.

The largest portion of the training session will involve group participation with professionals sharing their own creative intervention techniques for reducing risk. The best techniques for reducing risk include those that are 'matched' to the needs of the individual client. While some clients may respond to the more traditional risk reduction techniques, some do not. The theme of this training will be creativity. Participants will be asked to present some of their more challenging cases and the creative intervention techniques that-have worked. with. their clients.

All participants will be given a manual including various categories of intervention techniques. The manual will include theoretical framework. material and intervention techniques with case examples. Examples will include the use of humor, the. element of surprise, 'good cop'/'bad.cop,' and so forth- Participants will be encouraged to add additional examples of relevant techniques discussed during the course of the training-session. All participants will leave with a manual full of creative interventions for dealing with high risk clients!

In conclusion, this should. be an-information sharing interactive, and fun-program. The presenters of this program ask that participants come prepared to share their experiences with high risk clients and intervention techniques that have worked

over the years. Be creative!