EAP FOR CRITICAL INCIDENTS IN THE WORKPLACE

A Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a service our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers to client companies for employees who have experienced a traumatic event. Traumatic events can range from a workplace accident or death of an employee to a natural disaster. These events can lead to a variety of emotional and psychological difficulties for those involved. It can also impact workplace relationships as well as productivity. When employees and managers learn to respond in a healthy way, it is more likely that individuals, as well as the organization, will recover and return to a state of productivity and health.

Although critical incidents vary, there are many common reactions to stressful events. A critical incident stress debriefing is a group in which members talk about their feelings, thoughts and reactions to a stressful event. A CISD is not group therapy nor is it a critique of what led to the event or how the event itself should be managed. A CISD is an opportunity for employees to learn that their physical, mental and emotional reactions are normal reactions to an abnormal event. Normalizing these reactions can be very healing. Providing guidelines for what to do or not do following the event facilitates the healing process and minimizes recovery time. Some work environments may not be able to utilize group sessions due to staffing levels. In these cases individual sessions may be offered to employees.

Critical incident providers are often asked to visit a client company site shortly after the traumatic event has occurred. Employees may still be in shock and disbelief. There may also be some disorganization within the worksite following the event. It is important for the provider to be knowledgeable of critical incident debriefing processes, but also to be compassionate and attentive to what is needed for that particular work group and situation.

Most of our EAP providers who provide CISD service, have specialized training or certification in Stress Debriefing techniques such as the Mitchell Model, Resiliency Model or training through the American Red Cross. EAP providers who wish to provide this service need to be easily accessible to receive such referrals and are expected to have flexibility to respond quickly to a request to be onsite, often within a few hours of the incident occurring.

CISD services are a vital component of the services provided through EAP. CIGNA EAP responds to over 2000 requests for CISD services in a given year. Providers who have the skill and desire to become part of this specialized network should contact a CIGNA provider relations representative.

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