Foundations
This term describes the transformation in the inner experience of a professional that comes from empathic engagement with clients' trauma material.
What is Vicarious Trauma?
A common cognitive symptom of VT is a loss of safety or an increase in this feeling regarding the world at large.
What is cynicism (or hypervigilance)?
True or False: Vicarious Trauma is a sign of weakness or a lack of professional boundaries.
What is False? (It is an occupational hazard.)
This specific hormone is often elevated in those experiencing chronic stress and Vicarious Trauma.
What is cortisol?
Activities we do regularly to take care of our needs?
What is self care?
Unlike burnout, which is related to workload and environment, Vicarious Trauma specifically affects this internal "compass" or worldview.
What is a person’s schema (or belief system)?
This physical symptom involves feeling constantly drained, even after a full night’s sleep or a weekend off.
What is chronic exhaustion/fatigue?
True or False: Vicarious Trauma (VT) is a sign that a professional has poor boundaries.
False. VT is an "occupational hazard"—a natural consequence of empathic engagement with trauma, not a personal or professional failure.
This type of "guilt" is common in trauma workers who feel bad for having a happy, safe life when their clients do not.
What is Survivor Guilt (or Privilege Guilt)?
Tools you can use to calm down.
What are coping plans?
This term, often used interchangeably with VT, refers to the "cost of caring" and the emotional residue of working with those who are suffering
What is Compassion Fatigue?
In an attempt to protect themselves from overwhelming emotions, a professional might experience this—a "numbing out" or lack of feeling.
What is dissociation (or emotional detachment)?
True or False: Unlike Burnout, which develops over a long period, Secondary Traumatic Stress can occur suddenly after a single session.
True. While Burnout is a gradual "wearing out," Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) can be triggered by one particularly graphic or relatable case.
This refers to the "window" of emotional arousal where a professional can effectively process trauma without becoming overwhelmed or numb.
What is the Window of Tolerance?
A type of plan that should be used regularly and proactively.
What are self-care plans?
While VT is generally seen as negative, this term describes the positive psychological change experienced by a practitioner as a result of their work with trauma survivors.
What is Vicarious Resilience?
A professional suffering from VT may begin to doubt their own effectiveness, a symptom known as a diminished sense of this.
What is personal accomplishment (or self-efficacy)?
True or False: Vicarious Trauma only affects those in "helping" professions like therapy or nursing.
False. Anyone exposed to traumatic content—including legal professionals, journalists, researchers, and first responders—can experience VT.
Research suggests that professionals with this type of personal history may be at a higher risk for developing VT.
What is a personal history of trauma (or "Lived Experience")?
When unresolved stress or conflict is displaced in an unexpected or unrelated way.
What is Collective Disturbance?
This specific phenomenon occurs when a helper experiences symptoms that mimic PTSD, such as intrusive thoughts or nightmares, after hearing about a client’s ordeal.
What is Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)?
When VT impacts "relational" schemas, a provider might struggle with this specific issue, making it difficult to trust friends, family, or partners.
What is interpersonal withdrawal (or social isolation)?
True or False: Effective self-care is the only way to fully prevent Vicarious Trauma.
False. Self-care is only one piece; systemic organizational support (like reduced caseloads and trauma-informed supervision) is required for full prevention.
In some studies, up to this percentage of social workers and therapists report experiencing high levels of secondary traumatic stress at least once in their career.
What is 70% to 80%?
The best presentation ALL day
Vicarious Trauma :)