Vicarious Trauma (or Secondary Traumatic Stress) occurs when professionals—such as therapists, first responders, or caregivers—experience trauma-like symptoms after prolonged exposure to others’ distressing stories or situations.
Key Points:
- Symptoms: Emotional exhaustion, intrusive thoughts, reduced empathy, anxiety, or avoidance.
- Risk Factors: High caseload of severely traumatized clients, lack of peer or supervisory support, personal unresolved trauma.
- Preventive Measures: Regular debriefing, self-care routines, boundaries between work and personal life, supervision, and peer support.
- Treatment: Therapy for the helper if symptoms persist, organizational strategies to reduce workload, and education on compassion fatigue.
