Grief Counseling and Crisis Intervention in Hospital Trauma Units

Abstract

The demand for family counselors implementing crisis intervention and grief counseling in hospital trauma units continues to increase. Thus, this article provides a review of the nature of family counselors working with individuals and families affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) and medical trauma in hospitals. Specifically, the article presents (a) unique aspects of crisis intervention and grief services provided in hospital trauma units, (b) effective rapport building strategies for family counselors working with families in crisis from TBI, (c) multidisciplinary collaboration in hospitals, (d) diagnostic approaches and common mental health disorders following TBI, (e) ethical issues working in hospitals, (f) family-focused grief therapy and stages of grief interventions, and (g) implications with a case example of a family counselor working with a family affected by TBI.

An investigation of healthcare professionals’ perspectives on the tasks of mental health counselors in hospital settings

“…These findings further emphasized MHCs’ responsibilities to cater to patients’ immediate needs and assist in crisis management when needed. The need for crisis interventions and counseling services in hospitals aligns with Jacobson and Butler's (2013) identified need for family counselors in trauma units to provide crisis counseling to individuals suffering from traumatic brain injury. McKinlay et al.…”

“…These findings further emphasized MHCs' responsibilities to cater to patients' immediate needs and assist in crisis management when needed. The need for crisis interventions and counseling services in hospitals aligns with Jacobson and Butler's (2013) identified need for family counselors in trauma units to provide crisis counseling to individuals suf- Moreover, the first region also described specific tasks of MHCs within specific units in the hospital setting where patients needed more support due to the unique challenges that come with their specific medical conditions. Healthcare professionals viewed MHCs as responsible for assisting and supporting patients with conditions such as COVID-19, cancer remission, and rare or terminal diseases and supporting long-term hospital stay patients, new mums, and mothers with childbirth issues.…”