Psychologoical debriefing A psychological debriefing is a group meeting organized to review in detail the fact thoughts impression and reactions following critical incidents(trauma&losses) It aimes to prevent unnecessary after- effects accelerate normal recovery and maintain motivation The structure of the debriefing can aleo be used on a family or individual basia

Practical issues information about the meeting group size<15 people Seating positions Provisions of beverages/refeshments Role clarification

process Introdaction Facts Thoughts Sensory impressions Reactions Normalization future planning &closure

introdaction Introdaction of leaders Rules Purpose of meeting Overview of meeting

facts What happened? Participant ” s concrets experiences Go around the group

thoughts Early thoughts &late thoughts Important decisions Mental mobilisation or constructive thoughts

Sensory impressions Careful review when appropriate

reactions Questions about thoughts often lead to emotional answers Ask about the worst that happened Immediate reactions & late reactions & current reactions (emotional – behavioural – somatic)

normalization Comment on similarity in experiencess and reactions Inform about expected reactions Give advice on coping strategies Provide written material

Future planning& closure Summarise learning Plan addittional follow-up meeting if needed

Psychological debriefing rules Confidentiality No one is forced to say anything Participants are told to talk about their impressions and reactions and not what they have heard from or seen in others Domocratic use of the time in the meeting

Fact phase Be precise in what you want participants to tell you during the fact phase Start going round the group by following the normal culture for meeting (left to right) Use the group to help participants build up a complet “ picture ” of what happened Let the group members provide information if someone has memory gaps

Fact phase (2) Facilitate relationship – building by follow – up questions Seek out further facts at the end of the fact f-phase (from the whole group) if something is unclear or left out

Thought phase Follow time sequence (early and later thoughts) Focus on decisions & activity Seek out elements reflecting mental mobilisation notice obvious and hidden feeling themes revealed by thoughts What are some of the “ unstated ” thoughts?

Impression phase Let the group decid which sensory channal to start with Take time on each channel Let the group give words to the worst aspects Explore in detail different aspects of the impressions Be cereful when parts of the group had no sensory exposure Provide individual help for participants who have experienced “ grotesque ” impressions

Reaction phase Qustions about thoughts and impressions often lead to “ feeling ” answers Allow participants to talk about themes of central importance Follow the time-sequence (immediately afterwards and now) Cover behavioural reactions somatic reactions and feelings Accept reactions without dwelling on the individual

Inquir about the worst part of the of the event Use and mobilise the group for support if needed Visit the “ unspoken ” emotions

NORMALIZATION Review and comment on presented thoughts and reactions Describe types and expected course of reactions and give advice on when to seek help Provide general and specific advice concerning;

1-stress management

2-expressive strategies

3-control strategies

Provide written information &give time for question