What is the first step RBTs should take when responding to a client's crisis?

When responding to a client’s crisis, the first and foremost step is to ensure safety. It is crucial for both the client and the RBT to be in a safe environment before any further actions are taken. Ensuring safety addresses immediate risks and prevents further escalation of the situation. After safety is established, assessing the situation would be the next logical step, but this comes after confirming that there are no immediate dangers.

Establishing a safe environment helps the RBT to minimize potential harm and allows for a clearer assessment of the client's needs and the specifics of the crisis. Following established emergency protocols and reporting to a supervisor are also important parts of crisis management; however, these steps should only be initiated once the immediate safety of the situation is secured. Hence, ensuring safety is correctly identified as the critical first step in crisis response.