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With few exceptions† there seems to be no literature on the subject of emergency psychotherapy, nor evidence of work being done in this area other than certain community programs which aim at making immediate interviews available for persons who show some sudden, acute emotional disturbance, usually without external impetus. This paper, dealing with the application by the writer of emergency psychotherapy after trauma, may be of some value in helping to fill the gap in this important field.
During World War II British psychiatrists attempted to deal with the traumatic effects of total warfare on the population by making help available to individuals immediately after the occurrence of a trauma. The writer, who was practicing in London during the war years, had occasion to offer emergency psychotherapy and became aware of its potentials as a technique for peacetime use as well.
Neurotic responses to trauma may be understood within the context of current theory about neurotic processes in general. The theory and practice of emergency psychotherapy follow largely from this assumption.