Hello TIPSTERS, > > My name is Bea Cote and I'm new to TIPS. I've been lurking for a couple > of weeks to familiarize myself with you and this process. I've enjoyed it > but only felt the need to respond when I read Gary Peterson's posting > about catharsis and grief counselors. I'm a clinician who also volunteers > for American Red Cross as a Disaster Mental Health responder. I have not > heard of "grief counselors" responding on-site to disasters such as the > one in Littleton. Is that the term used by the trauma counselors themselves or by the media? As grief work is a process, it cannot be done at the > site of a traumatic incident. Our role as volunteers with ARC is not even to > provide therapy but instead to be available and to provide support and > referrals to those who seek them. Meanwhile, we're busy serving up doughnuts and coffee. Our main job is to be there for the other service personnel such as ARC Mass Care and firefighters and to later formally debrief them. We are of course available for the families of those involved but realize that this may not be the time or place for grief counseling. > The model used by ARC is based on the work of Dr. Jeff Mitchell (University of Maryland) entitled Critical Incident Stress Management. I am not aware of any models that support on-site "ambulance chasing" grief therapy, or the pursuit of families and individuals who clearly do not need or want assistance from the mental health community. > The provision of information and concrete services meets a much more immediate need in most disaster cases. I don't consider myself to be an expert in this area however and would like feedback from others who have information on this topic. > > Beatrice Cote, M.Ed., C.C.S.W., L.M.F.T. > Adjunct Instructor > Belmont Abbey College > Belmont, NC [EMAIL PROTECTED]
