title: Disaster response and group self-care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article reports on group support using Psychological First Aid during Katrina relief work. It explores this issue from personal experience and a theoretical perspective.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Group support is useful for volunteers as well as refugees and makes it possible to deal with extraordinary events of disaster more successfully.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of group work with disaster and trauma survivors can have an immediate positive impact and lasting consequences in preventing post-traumatic stress disorder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  APRNs would benefit from group training in present centered therapy, acute debriefing, supportive, cognitive behavioral, and psychodynamic approaches. The ability to conduct groups with trauma survivors and professionals during disasters is a vital skill and service to provide immediate relief and constructive coping.
authors.affiliation: Kaiser Permanente in Pleasanton, CA, USA. maj4u@comcast.net
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnstone
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004190:Disasters; D005392:First Aid; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008145:Louisiana; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology; D012066:Relief Work; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology