Samenvatting

This article focuses on aftercare for professionals like policemen, firemen and soldiers who experienced a shocking event. The author, Peter-Paul Lücker, has been working in aftercare for many years. He observes a trend in professional counseling to diagnose and start treatment as soon as possible. In the past however, the basic principle has been to give somebody a break, to provide practical support and to rely on a natural recovery. Most people recover well this way after experiencing a shocking incident. This individual recovery process is best facilitated by providing a safe and supportive environment through recognition and appreciation, thus preventing secondary traumatization. This approach seems to contribute more to the prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than rapid intervention, early screening and counseling. Sometimes however, the cumulative effect of stressful experiences leads to the conclusion that the job doesn’t fit the person involved anymore. Recognition and appreciation sometimes involve saying goodbye and making a new start.