Understanding Vicarious Trauma and How to Manage It

Working in helping professions can be incredibly rewarding. You get the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives by offering support and guidance through difficult times.

However, constant exposure to trauma can take its toll.

This is where vicarious trauma comes in.

What is Vicarious Trauma?

Vicarious trauma, sometimes called compassion fatigue, is a psychological response that occurs when someone is repeatedly exposed to the traumatic experiences of others. It’s like second-hand emotional pain. While not the same as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) experienced by someone who directly experiences trauma, it shares some similar symptoms.

Who’s At Risk?

Anyone who works in a helping profession is at risk of vicarious trauma, but some roles see higher rates. These include:

• Social workers: Statistics show a high prevalence of vicarious trauma among social workers, particularly those specialising in child protection¹ (34%), family and sexual violence² (21%), and veterans’ services³ (19.2%).
• Mental health professionals: Therapists, counsellors, and psychologists who regularly work with trauma survivors are also at risk. A study showed a staggering 40.9% of licensed clinical social workers⁴ meeting criteria for PTSD.
• Child protective service workers: These professionals frequently deal with horrific situations involving children, making them highly susceptible.

Burnout vs. Vicarious Trauma

While burnout and vicarious trauma share some symptoms, they’re distinct. Burnout is caused by chronic stress and feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness in your work. Vicarious trauma, though, specifically stems from exposure to others’ trauma and can involve a shift in your worldview and sense of safety.

Identifying Vicarious Trauma

Here are some signs of vicarious trauma to watch for in yourself:

• Emotional exhaustion: Feeling drained and unable to cope with the emotional intensity of your work.
• Cynicism and detachment: Losing your sense of hope and connection to your clients or the profession.
• Irritability and frustration: Becoming easily annoyed or having a shorter temper.
• Intrusive thoughts and nightmares: Experiencing flashbacks or distressing dreams related to your clients’ experiences.
• Changes in physical health: Including headaches, stomach aches, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite.
• Decreased empathy and compassion: Feeling numb or disconnected from others’ suffering.
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions: Feeling mentally foggy or overwhelmed.

The Importance of Training

If you recognise these signs in yourself, it’s time to take action. Training in managing vicarious trauma can equip you with the tools you need to protect yourself while continuing to provide excellent care.

These workshops typically cover:

Understanding transference and countertransference: Learn how your own experiences and emotions can influence your work and how to manage them effectively.

Setting professional boundaries: Establish healthy boundaries between yourself and your clients to maintain emotional well-being.

Self-care strategies: Develop a robust self-care plan that prioritizes your physical and mental health. This could include relaxation techniques, exercise, healthy eating, and social support.

Critical incident stress management (CISM): Learn techniques for processing and managing the stress of exposure to trauma.

Investing in Your Well-being

By taking steps to manage vicarious trauma, you’ll be investing not only in your own well-being, but also in your ability to continue effectively helping others.

Remember, a healthy and resilient helper is a far more effective helper!

For more information about STARTTS’ training workshop  on Managing Vicarious Trauma and Burnout, click here.

References

1. Bride, Jones, & Macmaster, 2007
2. Choi, 2011
3. Cieslak et al., 2013
4. Bogstrand et al, 2016