Debriefing is an important resource for those who have experienced a critical incident.
Our licensed, trauma-informed therapists are experienced and Certified Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Facilitators.
What Does a Debrief Entail?
Critical Incidents are events outside of the day-to-day norm, which cause a pronounced stress response. These events are highly stressful, or traumatic events which may significantly exceed one’s capacity to cope.
Events such as natural disasters, accidents, serious workplace injury or death, violence, crime, or witnessing any of the above can have a long term and ripple effect within your workplace.
Our Certified CISD Facilitators in Ottawa are also trauma-informed therapists, who offer a structured debriefing discussion (and follow up, if needed) to help those impacted by major stressors and critical events – to process the impact, provide psychoeducation and coping strategies to resource your team and prevent long-term impacts on an individual and organizational level.
We guide a constructive, supportive debriefing discussion, provide information and education, and share coping skills and resources. We always provide informational handouts and toolkits for participants to take home.
Clarity Counselling Services will tailor our debriefing approach to fit your situation, team and needs.
We welcome you to connect with us to discuss your debriefing needs. We offer a complimentary consultation to assess your workplace’s needs.
It is best practice to facilitate a debriefing session within 72 hours of the critical event to maximize the benefits and efficacy of a debrief, as well as to provide rapid response to your team’s needs. Contact us today.
Benefits of Debriefing
The debriefing process provides a safe and supportive environment for participants to voluntarily share about their experiences and begin to process the impact of a critical event.
- Resource your team to process challenging, stressful, or traumatic events
- Provide the opportunity for your team to be heard and supported in an effective way
- Restore a sense of safety and empowerment
- Decrease and prevent short and long-term impacts of stress, trauma, and psychological injuries or burnout
- Reduce traumatic impact on an individual and organizational level
- Increase effective coping and resilience-building
Clients often find that having external debriefers (such as trained Critical Incident Debriefing Facilitators at Clarity Counselling Services) are able to open up more and receive more from the debriefing session, than if they were to debrief with their manager or supervisor. Although, it is also important that your workplace’s leadership team is equipped to navigate mental health discussions at work. We are happy to help resource and equip your leadership team!
Note that debriefing is not psychotherapy. However, we are gladly available to provide 1:1 therapy and/or 1:1 follow-ups with those impacted by critical incidents.
TESTIMONIALS & FEEDBACK
“The facilitators offered such a comforting and calming presence.”
“I’m glad we had a space to share, talking it through was so helpful. This really made a difference.”
“I appreciate all the tips and strategies that have helped me in my day-to-day life.”
“The facilitators were so calming, soothing, and well spoken!”
“The facilitators validated what I’m feeling, and helped me make sense of the situation. It was also helpful to hear what others went through, too.”
