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Critical incident stress debriefing involves seven distinct phases. This structured approach is designed to help individuals process and cope with traumatic events effectively.

In the first phase, participants are introduced and reminded of the purpose of the debriefing, which sets the stage for a safe and supportive environment. The second phase involves discussing the facts of the incident, allowing participants to share what happened and establish a shared understanding of the event.

The third phase is focused on participants' thoughts and feelings regarding the incident, enabling them to express their emotional reactions. The fourth phase involves discussing the physical and emotional symptoms that may arise as a result of trauma, fostering awareness and normalizing these responses.

During the fifth phase, participants identify their coping strategies, which can provide insight into how they have dealt with stress. The sixth phase is about generating action plans for moving forward, which encourages proactive coping and resilience. Finally, the seventh phase involves closure, providing a sense of completion to the debriefing process while allowing participants to ask lingering questions or share additional concerns.

Understanding these phases helps counselors facilitate the debriefing effectively, enabling individuals to process their experiences in a structured manner.