What is the primary goal of Psychological First Aid (PFA)?

The primary goal of Psychological First Aid (PFA) is to provide immediate emotional support and stabilization to individuals who have experienced a distressing event. PFA aims to help people regain a sense of control and equilibrium after a traumatic experience by fostering a supportive environment, offering comfort, and facilitating access to further help if needed. By focusing on emotional well-being in the aftermath of a crisis, PFA assists in reducing stress and promoting adaptive coping strategies.

While assessing the extent of psychological damage is important, it is not the primary goal of PFA. PFA emphasizes immediate support over in-depth evaluation. Similarly, offering therapy and medication falls outside the scope of PFA, as it is not a treatment but rather an initial support mechanism. Identifying the source of the trauma may be relevant in certain contexts but is not a central focus of PFA, which prioritizes immediate emotional assistance rather than delving into the specifics of the trauma itself.