Vicarious Trauma

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.