Critical Incident Debriefing Counselling (CIDC) Services

During the past few decades there has been a growth in the use of debriefing services being provided to workers who are exposed to traumatic events. Critical Incident Debriefing (CID) is provided by a number of organisations whose staff members are regularly exposed to occupational trauma. They include Police, Fire Service employees, hospital workers and Ambulance officers.

Defusing

There are a number of variations to the counselling process, however they follow a similar pattern. The debriefing process usually begins with ‘defusing’. This is a short session held as soon as possible after the event, preferrably with all persons exposed to the event. The object is to attend to any urgent concerns or questions, to dispell any myths that may already be forming and to advise staff of the CID process.

Debriefing

About a day or two after defusing, staff will be ‘debriefed’. This may occur in a group context or on a one-to-one basis (counsellor and trauma victim or witness). Debriefing will allow the individual to relate their version of the event and enable the counsellor to assess how well they are coping with their emotional response to the traumatic event. During debriefing staff are informed of follow up counselling assistance if this is required.

Rationale

Research into the benefits of CIDC Services, particularly as an effective ‘inocculation’ against Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or similar conditions, have yielded mixed findings. One of the risks attached is that of re-traumatisation of a victim when asked to repeat unpleasant experiences. It is important therefore that debriefing services are delivered in a sensitive manner by experienced counsellors.

CIDC process at the University of Adelaide

In most cases Security staff are among the first to become aware of an event. Security will inform the OH&S Unit Manager and the Manager of Student Counselling, in the event that students are also involved.

A rapid response occurs in which OH&S staff attend the scene of the event to establish its seriousness. Sometimes defusing will occur soon afterwards. The critical incident debriefing counselling team is contacted and will ‘stand by’ until the situation has been assessed (the provision of CIDC Services is included in the EAP contract). Arrangements for follow up counselling assistance are coordinated by the CID Counsellors.

Refer to the CID Guidelines for more information.