A short-term intense therapy which emphasizes the identification of the circumstances that trigger an emotional trauma: "The emphasis is on neutralizing the trauma and mobilizing coping skills which will treat the crisis and make the situation as good as or better than the pre-crisis situation or condition."

A group trained in emergency medical treatment and in various methods for rendering psychiatric therapeutic assistance to a person or group of patients during a period of crisis; especially, instances involving suicide attempts or drug abuse.

The main objectives of such crisis assistance procedures are to help people cope with their current problems and to offer guidance and support for long-term therapies.