Abstract
Abstract
Medical crisis counseling (MCC) is a structured, brief intervention created by a social worker aimed at supporting patients and their families as they adjust to and cope with chronic or progressive illness. It is typically delivered in collaboration with a medical team and is focused on the impact of the patient’s medical situation on their lives. MCC takes place with the patient and/or the members of their support system and can take anywhere from one to eight sessions. It focuses on eight key concerns: control, self-image, dependency, stigma, abandonment, anger, isolation, and death. It is ideally initiated at diagnosis, exacerbation, or discharge after hospitalization. MCC aims to mitigate the effects of the illness through the accomplishment of specific goals set by the patient and/or their support system.