The Verbal Escalation Continuum is used to identify the different stages of defensive or escalating behaviors in a verbal interaction and to apply the recommended verbal approaches or strategies at each stage to effectively manage and de-escalate the situation. It helps professionals recognize how a person's behavior escalates through stages such as questioning, refusal, release, and intimidation, enabling them to intervene appropriately to prevent further escalation and maintain communication. This continuum is a structured framework to guide responses and reduce conflict intensity through targeted verbal interventions and stress reduction techniques, rather than deciding immediate physical safety interventions.
In summary, it is primarily a tool for understanding and managing escalating verbal behaviors to promote de-escalation and safer interactions.
