Traumatic events debriefings
I provide traumatic incident debriefing services and consultations for organizations.
Research in the field demonstrates that psychological care within days of traumatic event reduces risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder and related symptoms.
Types of Traumatic Events:
- Serious injuries and fatal accidents: air, train, road traffic accidents; Explosions, fires, bomb threats; Terrorist acts.
- Sudden death of an employee or family member; natural death, suicide or homicide. Multiple or unexpected deaths.
- Restructuring and reorganization.
- Violent workplace incidents: threats, assaults, hostage taking, shooting, stabbing, unexplained death, sexual and racial harassment cases.
- Natural disasters: earthquake, ice storm, tornado, etc.
Types of on-site psychological support:
- Psychological defusing: usually takes place within hours of the traumatic event.
- Debriefing: usually take place 24-72 hours following the traumatic event.
- On-site support in the situations of possible acute emotional or psychological reactions and crisis response consultations for management.
Objectives for on-site psychological support:
- Assistance in establishing psychological sense of safety;
- Psycho-education about potential emotional reactions people may experience in the next few days and weeks;
- Assistance in emotional and cognitive processing of the event;
- Establishing internal coherence of the group and mutual support;
- Discussion of healthy coping strategies and self-care strategies.
Format:
On-site interventions might include debriefing in small group(s) and/or individual consultations.
- Small group debriefing allows for a more interactive process that permits participants to discuss their feelings and reactions, exchange coping strategies and learn new techniques.
- Individual brief counselling allows to address specific needs and questions. It provides additional personal support to individuals.