Law Enforcement Critical Incident Teams: Using Psychodramatic Methods for Debriefing Training

Authors

  • JUNE SIEGEL Author
  • SANDRA L. DRISCOLL Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12926/2yb1g988

Keywords:

Training

Abstract

The Critical Incident Stress Management Team of the Mesa, Arizona, Police Department uses psychodramatic techniques for debriefing training. The process involves the action methods of roleplay, warm-up, doubling, role reversal, and deroling. These methods blend well with current critical incident training models and with the previous models developed in the psychodrama department of St. Elizabeths Hospital. In this article, the authors report on their use of the models and present a scenario that they developed for training personnel in debriefing procedures.

References

Altman, K. P., & Hickson-Laknahour, H. (1986). New roles for psychodramatists in counter-terrorism training. Journal of Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 39, 70-77.

Blumer, A., & Housenfluck, E. (1974, March). Putting it all together during basic training. Police Chief, 69-73.

Buchanan, D. R., & Enneis, J. M. (1981). Forty-one years of psychodrama at Saint Elizabeths Hospital. Journal of Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 34, 134-147.

Mitchell, J. T. (1988, December). Development and functions of a critical incident stress debriefing team. JEMS, 43-46.

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Published

2026-01-23

Issue

Vol. 48 No. 2 (1995): Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama, and Sociometry

Section

Articles

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