Psychological Debriefing
Theory, Practice and Evidence

A balanced critical review of psychological debriefing by an eminent international team, published in 2000.

Beverley Raphael (Edited by), John Wilson (Edited by)

9780521647007, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 12 October 2000

388 pages, 3 b/w illus. 37 tables
24.6 x 18.9 x 2 cm, 0.69 kg

'The message of the book is the need to clarify, define, differentiate and test empirically. In a field which has not just great relevance but also a high profile, the book has done a valuable service by highlighting the key issues and going some way towards possible answers … Overall, however, this is a book that all those interested in stress and trauma will warmly welcome.' Sexual and Relationship Therapy

Debriefing has emerged as one of the most controversial interventions in clinical psychology and psychiatry. This book, published in 2000, constitutes a presentation and analysis of evidence for the efficacy, and otherwise, of psychological debriefing, in theory and application, and appraises current research findings on the proper use of such interventions. With authoritative editorial guidance, the reader is taken through the controversies surrounding debriefing of various kinds, in various settings, and at various levels of organisational supervision and control. Contributors include many of the leading international authorities in post-traumatic studies, drawing on their first-hand experiences as investigators and also witnesses, of traumatic events and their effects. From major disasters affecting large numbers or even whole communities, to individual experiences of road traffic accidents, assault or childbirth, the range of topics and points of view presented will make this an essential reference and guide for all practitioners - whatever their point of view.

Overview: key issues in the conceptualisation of debriefing
Part I. Key Conceptual Framework of Debriefing: 1. Historical concepts and present patterns: stress management and debriefing
2. Debriefing: its role in the spectrum of prevention and acute management of psychological trauma
3. Briefing and debriefing: psychological interventions in acute stressor situations
4. Traumatic stress and the concept of debriefing: theoretical frameworks and potential effects and other settings
Part II. Debriefing: Models, Research and Practice: 5. Critical incident stress debriefing: evolutions, effects and outcomes
6. Debriefing with emergency services: critical incident stress management
7. Debriefing and body recovery: war grave soldiers
8. Debriefing and body recovery: police in a civilian disaster
9. Debriefing after massive road trauma: perceptions and outcomes
10. Debriefing and motor vehicle accidents: interventions and outcomes
11. Debriefing with service personnel in war and peace roles: experience and outcomes
12. Debriefing post disaster: follow-up after a major earthquake
13. Debriefing after disaster
14. Children and debriefing: theory, interventions and outcomes
15. Debriefing adolescents after critical life events
Part III. Adaptations of Debriefing Models: 16. Delayed debriefing: after a disaster
17. Debriefing in different cultural frameworks: experience with indigenous populations
18. The concept of debriefing and its application to staff dealing with life threatening illnesses such as cancer, AIDS and other conditions
19. Traumatic childbirth and the role of debriefing
20. Debriefing staff after assaults by patients
21. Multiple stressor debriefing as a model for intervention
Part IV. Debriefing Overview and Future Directions: 22. Concerns about debriefing: challenging the mainstream
23. Is consensus possible about debriefing?
24. Can debriefing work? critical appraisal of theories of interventions and outcomes with directions for future research
25. A conceptual framework for mass trauma: implications for adaptation and intervention
Conclusion: debriefing: science, belief and wisdom
Index.

Subject Areas: Psychiatry [MMH]