This book shows mental health providers how to envision crises as time-limited windows of opportunity-as tipping points clients can seize to achieve new insights and move in positive directions in their lives.

Most mental health practitioners have been taught to do risk assessments and to reduce danger to their clients and those around them. However, many providers lack a thorough understanding of the cause and nature of mental health crises and struggle to safely and successfully provide crisis intervention. Instead of seeking to return clients in crisis to their previous baseline, providers can seize the opportunity presented by crises and tip them toward rapid resolution.

In Part One of the book, J. Scott Fraser outlines his Process of Change model, a clear and concrete approach to understanding crises in their proper context; engaging with clients through their values, culture, and language; honoring their goals; and breaking cycles of crisis for good. In Part Two, he shows how different types of crises-trauma, suicidality, grief, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault-reflect similar vicious cycles. Real life case studies illustrate the Process of Change model in action, demonstrating how each of those cycles can be tipped toward resolution by embracing the contextual process of change perspective.