Citation

Valentine PV, Smith TE. Brief Treat. Crisis Interv. 2002; 2(2): 183-196.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/brief-treatment/2.2.183

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this article, the authors outline a practice model that provides a disaster continuity of care (DCC) for mental health professionals. The authors argue that mental health professionals have been underutilized and that current practice models do not encompass the full spectrum of services that are needed by disaster victims. The alternative model builds on Omer and Alon's (1994) work in which four stages of disaster are hypothesized: planning, warning, impact, and aftermath. The authors propose that current practice models primarily are aimed at the impact and aftermath stages of disaster response. The authors review the use of Critical Incident Stress Management and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing as employed during disasters. The authors also critique the use of cognitive-behavioral therapies and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and its effectiveness. The last set of trauma therapies reviewed are the "power therapies" and Traumatic Incident Reduction. The authors suggest that mental health professionals should be more active in the planning and warning stages where their knowledge of human development can prove invaluable. The authors end by suggesting how current models can be incorporated into the DCC model.