A response to the Devilly and Cotton article, “Psychological Debriefing and the Workplace …”

Abstract

This response to the Devilly and Cotton article on psychological debriefing expresses concern that the authors have misrepresented important factual information regarding psychological debriefing. Of particular concern is the intermingling of the terms “debriefing”, “psychological debriefing”, “Critical Incident Stress Debriefing” (CISD), and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) as if they were synonymous. Great concern is articulated in this response that Devilly and Cotton have included unsubstantiated and unscientific rhetoric within what should be a scientific article. Efforts are made to counterbalance the distortions of the Devilly and Cotton article by presenting accurate information regarding the field of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and its specific small group intervention, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD).