Evan Peterson does not conduct a standard Critical Incident Stress Debriefing made popular over the last two decades. He believes mandatory marathon interventions are not healthy. Mr. Peterson's style would best be termed a Defusing, which is less intrusive and a more positive and educational intervention.

Some say debriefing does not prevent Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and that grief groups immediately following exposure to traumatic circumstances may actually do more harm than good. Evan Peterson agrees with these criticisms of debriefing. So why bother? Because he has witnessed a great deal of healing take place when the intervention is conducted properly.

The Reasons to Conduct a Debriefing are to :
• give participants tools for understanding when/if they need additional help
• express the employer's concern for their well being when work related
• focus participants on current circumstances rather than on the trauma
• educate participants about their responses
• assist participants in putting the trauma exposure into perspective
• reduce the effect of these responses on everyday functioning

Evan Peterson is a seasoned debriefer of law enforcement, first
responders, and others exposed to trauma. He is a certified
American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health
Technician who believes that it is better to
conduct no debriefing than do it poorly.

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