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A formal critical incident stress debriefing (CISD):

a) Is usually coordinated by one or more professional counselors 24 to 72 hours after an incident that is causing persistent symptoms in personnel.
b) Typically takes about 1 hour and is usually conducted within the workplace with the EMS provider's supervisor and medical director present.
c) Is a one-on-one session in which a psychiatrist or psychologist meets with each person who was directly involved in an incident that causes stress.
d) Is usually a brief defusing session that is typically conducted at the scene of a major incident and facilitates the normal process of grieving.

User Curt
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Final answer:

A formal critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) is typically coordinated by professional counselors after a distressing event to help personnel dealing with persistent symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Step-by-step explanation:

A formal critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) is usually coordinated by one or more professional counselors 24 to 72 hours after an incident that is causing persistent symptoms in personnel. This intervention is designed to help individuals who have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following severe psychological trauma. The CISD process allows affected individuals to discuss and process the distressing event in a supportive environment, potentially mitigating long-term psychological effects.

Contrary to what some may believe, experiencing severe psychological trauma is not a normal response, and therefore, the term 'disorder' can be deemed appropriate when describing the level of stress and trauma experienced. In a CISD session, individuals collectively process the incident, engage in storytelling, and employ mind-body practices such as diaphragmatic breathing to reduce stress. This collaborative approach can provide much-needed peer support and facilitate the healing process for those involved in the critical incident.

User Jens Bodal
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