Human service professionals are often exposed to trauma during their work. Even this secondhand exposure to trauma can have significant physical and psychological impacts if human service workers do not have the tools to prevent and address its impact.

9.6.1 Vicarious Trauma

Vicarious trauma, also known as secondary traumatic stress, is an occupational challenge for people working in the human services field due to their continuous exposure to victims of trauma and violence. This work-related trauma exposure can occur from experiences such as

• Listening to individual clients recount their victimization
• Looking at videos of exploited children
• Reviewing case files
• Hearing about or responding to the aftermath of violence and other traumatic events day after day
• And responding to mass violence incidents that have resulted in numerous injuries and deaths (What Is Vicarious Trauma?, n.d.).

Vicarious trauma is unique in that it is associated with a sense of confusion, helplessness, and a greater sense of isolation from supporters than is seen with burnout (Secondary Traumatic Stress, 2017). It is preventable and treated, if unaddressed, the symptoms can result in problems with mental and physical health, strained personal relationships, and poor work performance (Pryce et al., 2007). Evidence of compassion fatigue can be challenging to recognize in oneself or even in others. Symptoms often include cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and physical features. They may also involve a spiritual component, such as questioning meaning or losing faith (Pryce et al., 2007). Common examples can be found in figure 10.5 below:

Figure 9.5 Table detailing the cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms of vicarious trauma.

Exposure to traumatic and troubling events, sometimes daily, influences one’s personal and professional lives. Staff acquire different coping methods – some are adaptive, others are not (Secondary Traumatic Stress, 2017). Some negative outcomes on the work environment from vicarious trauma are increased absenteeism, impaired judgment, low productivity, poorer quality of work, higher staff turnover, and greater staff friction.

9.6.3 A Wellness Approach

How can individuals working in human services prevent the negative impacts of vicarious trauma? Wellness and self-care are essential to staying mentally healthy while working in the field.

By being aware that different areas of our lives impact our mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing, we can become more aware of how we may be impacted by vicarious trauma. An essential piece of this is self-awareness of how to balance the different areas of your life.

In addition, below are some additional suggestions to help prevent the negative impacts of vicarious trauma.

• Life balance: Work to establish and maintain a diversity of interests, activities, and relationships.
• Relaxation techniques: Ensure downtime by practicing meditation or guided imagery.
• Contact with nature: Garden or hike to remain connected to the earth and help maintain perspective about the world.
• Creative expression: Drawing, cooking, or photography expand emotional experiences.
• Assertiveness training: Learn to be able to say “no” and to set limits when necessary.
• Interpersonal communication skills: Improve written and verbal communication to enhance social support.
• Cognitive restructuring: Regularly evaluate experiences and apply problem-solving techniques to challenges.
• Time management: Set priorities and remain productive and effective.
• Plan for coping: Determine skills and strategies to adopt or enhance when signs of compassion fatigue surface (Secondary Traumatic Stress, 2017).

Still, sometimes one area of our life takes up more physical, mental, or spiritual energy. This may be the case if you find yourself starting to experience symptoms of vicarious trauma. If you have experienced adverse effects from being exposed to vicarious trauma there are a variety of treatment strategies to consider. These include:

• Focusing on self-care: Making a healthy diet, exercise, and regular sleep priorities reduces adverse stress effects.
• Journaling: Writing about feelings related to helping or care giving and about anything that has helped or been comforting can help make meaning out of negative experiences.
• Seeking professional support: Working with a counselor who specializes in trauma to process distressing symptoms and experiences provides additional perspectives and ideas.
• Joining a support group: Talking through experiences and coping strategies with others who have similar circumstances can enhance optimism and hope.
• Learning new self-care strategies: Adopting a new stress management technique such as yoga or progressive muscle relaxation can reduce adverse physical stress symptoms.
• Asking for help: Asking social supports or co-workers to assist with tasks or responsibilities can hasten healing.
• Recognizing success and creating meaning: Identifying aspects of helping that have been positive and important to others assists with resolving trauma and distress (Secondary Traumatic Stress, 2017).

9.6.4 References

Pryce, D. H., Shackelford, K. K., & Pryce, D. H. (2007). Secondary Traumatic Stress and the Child Welfare Professional. Oxford University Press.

Secondary Traumatic Stress. (2017, February 3). Administration for Children & Families. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/trauma-toolkit/secondary-traumatic-stress

What is Vicarious Trauma? (n.d.). Office for Victims of Crime. https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/vtt/what-is-vicarious-trauma