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Robert Intveld, Director, RDA
Robert Douglas
and Associates (RDA), is located in Ocean, NJ, USA.
Why
you should listen to me.
I have been through
many trainings over the years. While I cannot speak to other trainer's
motivation, I can tell you mine.
If you do not have a
sound foundation of training for this line of work, you risk injury. You will, nonetheless, be affected.
Like many of you I have
provided debriefings for years before being formally trained. One of my
first incidents was the first bombing of the World Trade Center in NY.
We provided basic crisis intervention with a flavoring of the Mitchell
Model. The Mitchell Model primarily circulated
within the first responder community as it was designed to. At the time
that didn't mean much to me. What I did know was that the EAP workplace
interventions I was doing worked very well. I learned afterwards that
the basic tenets of the intervention were founded within the Mitchell
model.
I had been very
fortunate to work for an internal EAP over the years who had a strong
clinical focus backed by a budget to send me around the country when an
incident disrupted the workplace. One day it took me to Oklahoma City. I
led this 2-day intervention with a colleague of mine (this was her first
intervention). I used a similar format as the WTC intervention. By
all accounts it was successful for what it was designed to do and while
we received an abundance of positive recognition for our work, I
returned with secondary trauma. I thought at that time what I
needed was formalized training in this process and I enrolled in the
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation's training. My
experience with the ICISF is detailed in the training, but what I will
tell you is that I left more confused. This feedback continues today.
You see, all ICISF trainings
have fallen short for the type of work EAPs provide in
response to tragedy. Not that they weren't helpful, just incomplete. I
have challenged the institutions who put forth these trainings to sit at
the table with each other (EAPA and ICISF) and develop a unified
approach. While efforts have been made, the end product has never been
delivered. I later gave up on that quest and wrote my own training -
Tragedy in the Workplace, the first edition of this training.
The
feedback has always been positive and left on the home page for your
review.
The following experiences
are used and referenced throughout the course of the training.
Key
CIS Responses
While
all incidents are powerful and leave lasting impressions, some responses
were called upon in greater frequency in developing the overall approach
to this training. They include onsite responses to:
First
Bombing of the World Trade Center, NY
Oklahoma City Bombing
Columbine High School Shooting
Crash
of Egypt Airline 990
Military
9/11,
NY/NJ- I was also a victim of these attacks as our office was at the
World Financial District, across the street from the WTC. I
responded with our medical department and initially set up triage
stations at the base of the WTC. Being a
victim/responder/interventionist provided a unique perspective.
...and
the many organizations around the country both large and small
that didn't receive much media attention, but dramatically altered the
lives of individuals in profound ways.
Key EAP Experience- 20 years
All onsite services have been delivered
as an EAP provider except when contracted as a professional in private
practice. Services were provided through both internal and external
models, hybrid models and EAPs using a call center model.
Final
note
This work is not for everyone.
Working with those impacted by a traumatic event is powerful and raw.
Your world views will be challenged and you may experience a degree of
impairment. Your best controllable defense is preparation. This
includes training, use of clinical discipline and support but for some
events it is not enough. It can be that powerful.
For information about onsite trainings please contact us at 732-492-7864.
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