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 85353
623-363-3277
AICP Planners: 14.5 CM for all ToP® courses
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