Critical incident stress debriefing: clinical applications and new directions

Abstract

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) was originally developed as a short-term, group-format, preventive mental health intervention for traumatized law enforcement and emergency services personnel. The debriefing model has since been applied to a variety of clinical groups and crisis situations, correspondingly undergoing modifications in its structure and process. This review describes the CISD approach and explores some of the new directions being taken by practitioners of this intervention strategy. In addition, this review addresses some of the recent critiques of the CISD model, and makes recommendations for optimal utilization of this clinical tool with those populations most likely to benefit from it.