CISD- Teaching Phase

The teaching phase can easily be started by taking some of the impact discussions and normalizing them.  All CISD team members should participate. Education about impact, stress management, the likelihood of future reactions, the role of a good diet, exercise and sleep and their part in restoring health are covered.  The teaching is tailored to what the group has shared and how to move forward.  This leads nicely to the Re-entry Phase.

Do not over teach.  Providing concrete, simple, stress management tips and symptom clarification are about all that is necessary. More complex stress management techniques, like progressive relaxation for instance, are generally too much for the tired group.

Some consider asking the group if there was anything positive that occurred even in the face of a horrific event. If there were anything that gives some hope.  This is a tricky question and should be skillfully managed. Its design, a cognitive search exercise, if achieved, can bring the participants further along into the Re-entry Phase.  An angry response will indicate that there is still some rawness in the group and more teaching may be needed.