5. Symptom phase
Training Module on the Right to Mental Health for the Security Sector
•
This begins the movement back from the predominantly emotional
processing level toward the cognitive processing level.
•
Participants are asked to describe cognitive, physical, emotional, and
behavioral signs of distress that appeared
(a) immediately at the scene or within several hours of the incident;
(b) a few days after the incident; and
(c) continuingly, even at the time of the debriefing: “What have you
been experiencing since the incident?”
6. Education phase
•
Continuing the move back toward intellectual processing, didactic
information is provided about the nature of the stress response and the
expected physiological and psychological reactions to critical incidents.
•
This serves to normalize the stress and coping responses and provides
a basis for questions and answers.
7. Reentry phase
•
This is the wrap-up, during which any additional questions or statements
are addressed, referral for individual follow-ups is made, and general
group bonding is reinforced:
o “What have you learned?”
o “Is there anything positive that can come out of this experience that
can help you grow personally or professionally?”
o “How can you help one another in the future?”
o “Is there anything we left out?”
Take note that this is not to suggest that these phases always follow one
another in an unvarying, mechanical sequence.
Once group participants feel comfortable with the debriefing process and start
talking, there is a tendency for the fact, thought, and reaction phases to blend
together.
Indeed, as Mitchell and Everly (1996) recognize, it would seem artificial and
forced to abruptly interrupt someone expressing emotion just because “it’s
not the right phase.”
As long as the basic rationale and structure of the debriefing are maintained,
the therapeutic process will usually ensue.
On a number of occasions, previously silent members have spoken up at
literally the last moment, when the group was all but getting up to leave.
Team leaders typically have to step in only when emotional reactions become
particularly intense, or where one or more members begin to blame or criticize
others.
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