This document discusses vicarious trauma, which is when a helper's cognitive beliefs and schemas are changed as a result of working with survivors of traumatic experiences. It notes that vicarious trauma is cumulative and can transform the helper's worldview. The document then lists potential risk factors for developing vicarious trauma and signs and symptoms a person may experience. Finally, it provides recommendations for preventing and addressing vicarious trauma, such as maintaining self-care, seeking supervision, and developing a balanced perspective on one's role in helping clients heal.

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Managing the Effects of Vicarious Trauma
Willard Fewer, M.Sc.
Registered Psychologist

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3. * Burnout
* Compassion Fatigue
* Vicarious Trauma
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7. * “Vicarious trauma is a process
whereby the helper’s cognitive
beliefs and schemas are changed
as a result of the work that they
do with survivors of painful and
abusive experiences. “
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8. * Cumulative
* Transformative Effect
* On the Helper of survivors
* Of traumatic life events
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11. * We Care (medics vs. combat soldiers)
* There is too much work
* Children (client or our own) may make us
particularly vulnerable
* Often organizational supports are scarce
* Our own histories
* Our life circumstances (what gives you satisfaction,
makes you feel worthwhile?)
* Nature of clientele – ability to act on our coaching/
support
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13. * •Professional Quality of Life Scale, Stamm,
2008 (Compassion Fatigue)
* •http://www.proqol.org/ProQol_Test.html
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14. * Often angry and irritable
* Startle easily
* Changes in eating – too much or too little
* Losing sleep/nightmares about clients
* Intrusive thoughts about clients and their experiences
* Loss of ability to enjoy previously enjoyable activities/
events
* Feelings of hopelessness related to work/clients
* Loss of meaning/hope
* Distancing from family or friends
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17. * Physically
* Mentally
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18. * “Goal-less” time
* “Watch the grass grow”
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19. * Laughter
* Play with regular children, healthy people
* Express your creativity
* Be physically active
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20. * Make self-care a priority
* “A good worker takes care of their tools.”
* Associate with positive and healthy people
* If it doesn’t exist, build it!
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21. * Awareness
* Balance
* Connection
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25. * Reset attitude towards the work:
* We are a coach, “midwife”, mentor –
responsibility for healing lies in client
* Clarify your sense of meaning and purpose in life
* Social activism vs. individual activism
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26. * Get educated about trauma and the effects on
you and on client
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27. * Get supervision from someone who understands
the client’s troubles and the likely impact on
helpers
* Use team support or colleague support (Field
of Dreams: Build it and they will come!)
* Don’t pass on the VT to your supporters – It
CAN be contagious
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28. * Professional support/therapy for yourself if
needed
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29. * The capacity for humans to overcome adversity
and do well
* Resilience of traumatized people
* “Let go and Let God”
* Our own humility
* We are not Sisyphus
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32. * Copy of PowerPoint
Email: wfewer@shaw.ca
* Web links to resources: wfewer.com
“Resource & Links” tab
* Or, Google “Vicarious Trauma”
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under

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