CISD (Critical Incident Stress Debriefing)

Debriefing (or “Critical Incident Stress Debriefing”, CISD) refers to a 7-phase, structured group discussion, usually provided 1 to 10 days post crisis, and designed to mitigate acute symptoms, assess the need for follow-up and, if possible, provide a sense of post-crisis psychological closure. Debriefings have always been conceived of as one component within a larger functional intervention framework. The effectiveness of CISM programs has been empirically validated through qualitative analyses, controlled investigations, and meta-analyses.