What is CISM?

It is an intervention model that stabilizes individuals in the early stages following highly stressful events. CISM helps people cope with acute stress reactions, regardless of whether the trigger is personal or professional. Psychologists Jeffrey T. Mitchell and George S. Everly developed this approach in the 1980s.

​

CISM aims to stabilize those affected early on, normalize acute stress reactions, and identify individuals who require further therapeutic support. CISM is intended as psychological first aid, not a substitute for psychotherapy. It serves as a bridge to further care if necessary.

 

When is CISM used?

​

Traumatic events vary greatly, but they all go far beyond everyday demands and trigger intense emotional reactions. These events include experiences associated with threat, helplessness, personal involvement, or serious confrontations.

​​

CISM is used when an event exceeds usual coping resources, such as the sudden loss of colleagues, serious accidents, experiences of violence, or threatening or confrontational situations. Such events often evoke intense emotions.

​

Without adequate support, these emotions can lead to long-term psychological reactions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Often, these symptoms do not appear immediately but develop weeks, months, or even years after the event. CISM was developed to counteract these developments at an early stage. It is not a form of psychotherapy but rather a temporary intervention that provides guidance, relief, and stabilization.

​

How is CISM organized?

​​

It forms a staggered chain of intervention with different discussion models adapted to the incident and those affected. These include preventive training, brief informational sessions, and structured group debriefings immediately after the event, as well as timely relief rounds and individual one-on-one discussions and follow-ups. These measures address acute reactions and identify potential risk factors for chronic stress early on.

​​

I work according to the ICISF's (International Critical Incident Stress Foundation) internationally recognized standard and am CISM-certified (Certified Critical Incident Stress Management). 

 

Effects and Limitations:

​

Timely CISM measures can reduce acute symptoms, provide guidance, and decrease the likelihood of chronic stress. However, they are not a substitute for psychotherapy when clinically indicated, but rather serve as an early, low-threshold intervention.

 

CISM in an Organizational Context:

 

CISM has become an internationally established standard tool for psychological prevention used by many organizations and companies. Integrating CISM into organizational crisis management ensures that employees can continue to act.

 

Benefits of CISM:

 

It offers a structured form of psychological first aid that stabilizes employees, promotes internal organizational resilience, and identifies risks before protracted trauma-related disorders develop. Studies show that timely support and preventive measures play a decisive role in preventing long-term psychological stress and protecting employees' mental health in the long term.