Debriefing

Debriefing is a process used to assist people in dealing with a distressing or traumatic event. It is a form of crisis intervention and, as such, usually occurs soon after the traumatic event. It commonly involves helping participants to form a clear picture of the event, discussing the dominant thoughts and feelings that they are experiencing, and providing education about coping designed to strengthen their coping. The primary aims of a debriefing are to stabilize the person, lessen any stress signs, and aid recovery. Debriefings may also serve as a platform for identifying and referring those in need of more intensive support to people who can assist them.

The term debriefing has been used to describe a broad range of processes. As a result, there is considerable confusion about what it is and what it is not.

[Page 196]Debriefing practices became popular in the late 1970s after their introduction in the United States into the workplace. This began in the emergency services but quickly spread to other sectors whose workers were exposed to psychological trauma, such as dealing with the death of children, death and serious injury to workers themselves in the course of their job, and responding to major disasters and emergencies in the community. The sectors included the military, hospital staff, airline personnel, corrective services, and the welfare sector. Debriefing is now commonly used not only in the workplace but also with members of the community, especially following disasters. The last two decades have seen controversy and debate about the effectiveness of debriefing, a debate that has been exacerbated by the variety of practices that are labeled as debriefing.

The following sections address the historical developments of debriefing, mechanisms that underlie debriefing, and debate about the efficacy of debriefing.