Psychosocial Processing OUTLINE

(modified using the Trauma Framework, 2014)

I.Preparatory Phase

A. Group should be enough so that everyone has a chance to speak and be listened to.
Participants: 10 – 12 persons
B. Privacy should be ensured to avoid disruption
C. Arrange chairs in circle (no need for table). Mats could be used also in lieu of chairs.
D. Make the participants feel comfortable to create warm atmosphere

II. Session Proper

I.RE-ESTABLISHING SAFETY
A. Introduction
1. Facilitator introduces himself/herself
2. Self-introduction of participants (name, job, status) use of nametags will be helpful
B. Session Objectives
1. To share experiences, feelings, and reactions (during critical incidents)
2. To provide information as to how a critical incident (i.e. Mt. Pinatubo eruption,
earthquake, flashfloods, etc.) could affect individual at work and at home
3. To identify and discuss some coping skills in reducing stress
4. To formulate and discuss contingency plans

Explain the following

A. Critical Incident – any event causing unusually strong emotional reactions which have
potential to interfere with ourselves and work during event or hereafter in majority of those
exposed
B. PSP/ Debriefing – to assist individuals, group, crisis workers to deal positively with the
emotional impact of a severe event/disaster and to provide education about the current anticipated
stress response as well as information about stress management and contingency planning.

C. Categories of Victim

i.Direct Victims – those killed or injured

ii.Indirect Victims – family, friends, co workers of the direct victims
iii.Hidden Victims – crisis workers, service providers

Confidentiality Statement

Everything of a personal nature shared/discussed during the session remains within the group
Psychosocial Processing OUTLINE(modified using the Trauma Framework, 2014)
Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development
DOH Psychosocial Team
Page 1 of 5
Ground Rules:
1. Emphasize to the participants that there are no such thing as right or wrong
answers/ideas during the session
2. Participants should feel free to express feelings, thoughts, reactions or simply listen.

II. TELLING AND RE-TELLING

1. ask each participant to describe

a. what happened to him or her
b. how s/he feel then
c. how s/he feels now
2. Compliment/acknowledge the group for their report and for their
openness/willingness to share
3. Point out that their feelings and reactions are normal responses to a crisis/disaster

III. FINDING COMMONALITY

Ask the participants – what unusual things have they experienced immediately after the event and
what they are experiencing now at school, at work or at home.

1. Physical Stress response

How stress has affected our body
2. Emotional Stress Response
How stress has affected the way we feel
3. Cognitive Stress Response
How stress has affected the way we think
4. Behavioral Stress Response
How stress has affected our behavior
5. Spiritual/Values Stress Response
How has stress affected or “world view”

Recognize that the stress responses on the critical incident shared by the participants can have
an emotional impact and can interfere with one’s usual functioning. Point out to the participants
the universality, commonality and normalcy of the said stress response in an abnormal situation.

IV. COPING WITH STRESS - RECONNECTION

1. Ask the participants what have they done/what are they doing now to cope with the
stressful situation.

Psychosocial Processing OUTLINE(modified using the Trauma Framework, 2014)

Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development
DOH Psychosocial Team
Page 2 of 5
 2. Emphasize that the coping skills that have adapted are some ways of dealing positively
with the impact of the event. Affirmation of the coping skills they have utilized will usually
boost their morale.

V. ORGANIZING FOR COMMUNITY ACTION

Ask participants

1. Is there anything which should have been discussed but wasn’t?

2. How each one felt after the session?
3. Was the session helpful? In what way?
4. Are there any groups to whom they would recommend CISD?

SUMMING UP

Focus on ways to help oneself and others

1. Ways to help oneself:

a. Recognize and accept feelings about the situation
-your own and those of others
b. Accept the current situation
-plan accordingly
-keep informed, avoid passing on rumors
-have short-term goals and a routine for the present situation
c. Gauge what is a reasonable amount of focus on the situation, and limit
anxiety-producing or burdensome interactions
d. Practice self care: exercise, good physical nourishment and enough rest

2. Ways to help others:

a. Understand other’s stressed behavior
b. Cultivate calmness – ask group how to take deep breath, relax shoulders, lower voice pitch,
speak more slowly
c. Listen intelligently, discourage speculation, encourage facts, avoid grinding repetitions of
a negative nature
d. Schedule and participate in community fun, seek out and include the quieter and more
isolated community members. Include children and teens.

3. Follow up

Psychosocial Processing OUTLINE(modified using the Trauma Framework, 2014)

Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development
DOH Psychosocial Team
Page 3 of 5
 Inform participants that the facilitators will speak to them personally in the next 24-48
hours and make arguments for this

4. Thank participants for their attendance

GUIDELINES ON THE ROLE/RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
PSP FACILITATORS

I.Preparation before the meeting

1. Come early before the meeting room. Must know the exact place and time of the session
2. Arrange the chairs in a circular manner if possible
3. Prepare name tags
4. Start welcoming participants and try to make them feel comfortable. Start a conversation
among the participants

II. Knowledge
1. Facilitator must know how and understand the following
a. objective of the session
b. content of the session
c. activities of the session
d. profile of the participants

2. Must know how well his/her assigned during the session. If a co-facilitator is present
prearrangement division of task is important. Getting to know your facilitator before the session
is also important.

III. Skills
1. Must be able to motivate and encourage the participants to share/express their ideas,
opinions and feelings
2. Emphasize that each one can learn something new from each other’s ideas and
experiences
3. Clarify with the group that there are no wrong answers. What is important is to be open
with each other
4. Ask the group if they are feeling comfortable. Once in a while, ask comments/suggestions
from the participants
5. After the session, ask them how they feel and what they think of the session. What did
they and didn’t like? What did they learn from the discussion?

IV. Attitudes
1. Must set a friendly warm atmosphere by politely inviting each one inside the meeting room.
Give importance to everyone. Address participants by their first name.
2. Always maintain eye contact with the participants. Should note taking during the session
become important, it is best to ask permission from the participants before the session
begins
3. Acknowledge sincerely the ideas/feelings shared by the participants
4. Be conscious of one’s body language and facial expression
Psychosocial Processing OUTLINE(modified using the Trauma Framework, 2014)
Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development
DOH Psychosocial Team
Page 4 of 5
 5. Must be flexible and can adjust within the group
6. Mood of the facilitator is very important. It affects the performance and enthusiasm of the
group. Feel and look relaxed. Share honestly one’s feelings when appropriate.

PSP IS USEFUL IN PROVIDING:

1. Ventilation of intense emotions

2. exploration of symbolic meaning of the events to those expected
3. Group support under catastrophic conditions
4. Initiation of the grief process within a supportive environment
5. Reduction of the fallacy of uniqueness – that the participant is alone in his feelings
6. Reassurance that intense emotions under catastrophic conditions are normal
7. Preparation for the possibility of the development of a variety of symptoms in te aftermath
of a serious crisis
8. Education regarding normal and abnormal stress response syndrome and management
9. Encourage for continued group support and professional assistance

PITFALLS THAT YOU CAN PONDER ON TO IMPROVE YOUR

CONDUCT OF PSP/ DEBRIEFING *

1. Using untrained member

2. When there is no metal health worker to refer to extreme cases
3. PSP/debriefing is not a therapy
4. When there are inadequate facts
5. Inadequate networking/coordination
6. Poor community approach
7. Lack of emphasis on confidentiality
8. Writing notes during the session
9. When it is intrusive
10. Lack of input on the part of the facilitator (educational aspect)
11. Role of facilitator is not clear to the group/organization or community affected by the
disaster
12. Facilitator is late in the session
13. When participant are seated quite apart
14. None or not enough eye contact
15. When facilitator’s body language seems not to convey concern/warmth/sincerity
16. When there are late comers and other disruptions
17. Language barriers
18. No follow-up or appropriate referral
19. No buddy system or a back up to take over in case facilitator becomes highly emotional
20. Accepting too many groups to be processed during the day.

Note: Minimal revision done to adopt the TRAUMA FRAMEWORK OF THE PSYCHOSOCIAL
PROCESSING –

Psychosocial Processing OUTLINE(modified using the Trauma Framework, 2014)

Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development
DOH Psychosocial Team
Page 5 of 5