Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) is an evidence-informed modular intervention that aims to help survivors gain skills to manage distress and cope with post-disaster stress and adversity. Individuals affected by a disaster or traumatic incident, whether survivors, witnesses, or responders to such events, may struggle with or face new challenges following the event. SPR was developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the National Center for PTSD, with contributions from individuals involved in disaster research and response.
SPR is designed to help children, adolescents, adults, and families gain skills to reduce ongoing distress and effectively cope in the weeks and months following disaster and trauma. It is based on an understanding that disaster survivors will experience a broad range of reactions (physical, psychological, behavioral, spiritual) over differing periods of time. SPR is not formal mental health treatment, but rather a secondary prevention model that utilizes skills-building components that have been found helpful in a variety of post-trauma situations. Although some individuals will need referral for treatment after an event, research suggests that a skills-building approach is more effective than supportive counseling for most.
SPR can be delivered in a variety of settings (e.g., schools, clinics, hospitals, assisted living facilities, houses of worship, community centers, libraries, and homes). Each SPR skill can be covered in one contact or meeting with a survivor and then reinforced through the use of handouts and practice. The six SPR skills include:
To access the SPR Field Operations Guide [1], adaptations and handouts related to SPR, visit NCTSN Resources [2].