A client calls late on a Friday with a crisis and you must decide next steps. What is the appropriate immediate action?

Prepare for the LPCC Law and Ethics Test 2. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with explanations. Enhance your understanding of ethics and legal standards for effective counseling practice.

When a client calls in crisis, safety is the first priority, so you conduct an immediate risk assessment. This quick check focuses on whether the client is at imminent risk of harming self or others, and it looks at intent, plan, means, timing, and the presence of protective factors or a supportive environment. The outcome of this assessment guides what you do next: if the risk is high and imminent, you escalate to urgent intervention or emergency services and consider safe disposition, which may involve hospitalization. If the risk is present but not imminent, you implement a safety plan and arrange follow-up support. If risk is low, you provide support, coping strategies, and a clear plan for continued help. Choosing to assess risk first ensures you respond appropriately to safety needs rather than making assumptions or delaying action.