Jo Nelson has shared this several times in different venues. Might be a helpful start in creating the conversation.
DEBRIEFING A TRAUMATIC SITUATION
A Focused Conversation
Situation: A traumatic
incident has just happened. The
immediate incident is over, but people are shaken and need to talk about what
has happened.
Rational Aim:
To talk about their personal experiences of the trauma.
To face reality and begin to deal with it productively.
Experiential Aim:
To move from shock to beginning to come to terms with the
situation.
Opening: This event has
shaken all of us. Let¹s take a little
time to reflect on what¹s happened, so we can come to terms with it. I¹m going to ask some questions that will
help us gradually process what happened.
I would like you to let everyone have their own answers ‹ no
interrupting, arguing, or judging what anyone says.
Objective Questions
Ø
Imagine you
were a video camera recording what you saw happening on that day. What actions, words, phrases, objects, and
scenes are recorded on your tape? Let¹s
get everything out so we all have a full picture of what happened.
Ø
What has happened
since?
Reflective Questions
Ø
What shocked
you?
Ø
What was most
frightening?
Ø
What made you
want to escape?
Ø
How else did
you find yourself reacting?
Ø
Any place you
wanted to cheer?
Interpretive Questions
Ø
Why do you
think this happened?
Ø
What might have
been some other contributing factors?
Ø
What impact
does it have on you?
Ø
How are you
different now?
Ø
How might we be
different a year from now?
Ø
What can we
learn from this?
Decisional Questions
Ø
What can we do
to prevent this from happening again?
Ø
Who else do you
need to see or talk with?
Ø
What can we do
to help each other now?
Ø
What can we do
to symbolize how we changed or what we have learned?
Closing
We will undoubtedly continue to reflect on this. If you need help, please be sure to ask for
it.
Hints
Some of these questions are difficult to answer, so if there are
few spoken answers, don¹t worry. The
very fact of raising these questions and following this flow allows deeper
reflection later. It may be helpful to
print out the questions for participants to take with them for solitary, small
group, or family reflection.
Adapted from Jo Nelson ICA Associates, Inc., Canada. “I have used a variation on this conversation
with the Southern Ontario Facilitators' Network. We found it helpful . . . It occurred to me that it might be useful to
others, both for personal and client situations. This is adapted from page 155 of "The
Art of Focused Conversation for Schools". You will have to adapt it for the current
situation.
Jim Wiegel “If you want an adventure . . . what a time to be alive!”. Joanna Macy
401 North Beverly Way,Tolleson, Arizona 85353623-363-3277
AICP Planners: 14.5 CM for all ToP® courses
From: "McCabe, Diann A via OE" <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net>
To: John Epps <jlepps39@gmail.com>; Order Ecumenical Community <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 2:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] art form conversation - election day "Where and how did your body react?"
Like taking a deep breath reading this, John. Thank you—and, yes, now what? Grieve/process for a day or two and then . . . Tbd
Diann
I keep a cartoon on my desk depicting a cat with its tail in its mouth. The cat is reading a book entitled "You've Caught Your Tail: Now What?"
That's a perfect question for Republicans, whether primarily Trump supporters or Clinton haters.
It's also a good question for Democrats, whether primarily Clinton supporters or Trump haters.
There seems to be enough hatred and fear of the Other to go around. As the sensitive and responsive Ones, our job is to "increase the love of God and Neighbor" to quote H.R, Niebuhr. Recalling this is helping me deal with the regrets about yesterday and
trying to avoid finding fault and placing blame. The Mystery has struck again! Now what?
John