Basic psychotherapy techniques are necessary for trauma intervention, including the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. The importance of these techniques is reviewed within various settings in the New York City area immediately following the World Trade Center disaster. The purpose included debriefing of practitioners, as well as the education of trauma symptoms and assessment for client intervention. Perhaps most importantly was the therapeutic technique modeled by the social work leader in these vignettes, since she and other practitioners simultaneously experienced symptoms of trauma. The practice of creating and maintaining a therapeutic atmosphere at this time was an essential challenge for all.