Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a process in which a group of individuals who have experienced a traumatic event are given the opportunity to discuss their thoughts and feelings about the event. The phonetic transcription of "critical" is /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/ while "incident" is pronounced as /ˈɪnsɪdənt/. "Stress" is spelled as /strɛs/ and "debriefing" as /diːˈbriːfɪŋ/. The correct pronunciation of this term ensures proper communication and understanding during the debriefing process. It is essential to seek CISD in times of crisis to prevent long-term psychological effects.
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a structured and time-limited group intervention technique designed to assist individuals who have been exposed to highly distressing or traumatic events. It is primarily aimed at reducing the long-term psychological impact that can result from these incidents.
During a CISD session, a trained mental health professional facilitates a discussion with a group of individuals who have experienced a critical incident together. The session typically takes place within 24 to 72 hours following the traumatic event. The main objectives of CISD are to provide psychological support, normalize reactions, and help participants process their experiences.
The debriefing session follows a specific structure and typically consists of seven phases. These phases include the introduction of the process, sharing of facts about the traumatic incident, discussion of thoughts and reactions, emotional ventilation, analysis of the event, providing information about stress reactions, and ending with a review of available resources for ongoing support.
CISD aims to foster a supportive and non-judgmental environment, promoting a sense of safety and validation for participants. It allows individuals to express their thoughts and emotions and provides an opportunity for reflection and understanding. The ultimate goal of CISD is to facilitate the natural healing process by promoting a sense of cohesion, minimizing the development of long-term psychological distress, and enhancing coping strategies among those affected by critical incidents.