Critical Incident Stress Management for Trauma Teams

In this episode of the AAST Cutting Edge Podcast, host Dr. Caroline Park and co-host Dr. Susan Kartiko are joined by Shira Rothberg, licensed clinical social worker and Trauma Survivors Network Coordinator at Inova Fairfax Hospital, to discuss Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and its role in supporting trauma and emergency department staff after high-impact cases. Drawing on her training through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), Shira breaks down how structured debriefs help providers normalize acute stress responses, reconnect with their teams, and access further support when needed.The conversation explores what CISM looks like in practice — from leadership recognition that a debrief is needed, to hybrid in-person and virtual formats, to the important distinction between something that is therapeutic and formal therapy. For trauma programs looking to implement CISM, the takeaway is clear: it starts with one or two trained facilitators and leadership buy-in — and once staff experience it, they keep coming back.