Managing Vicarious Trauma Presented by Penny Gordon

Presentation Outline Origins of Vicarious Trauma (VT). What is VT. Contributing factors. Potential impact. Management strategies.

Definition Of Burnout Burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur among individuals who work with people in some capacity. (Maslach, Jackson, & Leiter, 1996)

Symptoms Of Burnout Affective e.g., depressed mood, emotional exhaustion. Cognitive e.g., poor concentration. Physical e.g., headaches, sleep disturbances. Behavioural e.g., poor work performance. Motivational e.g., loss of idealism One core indicator is consistently identified – exhaustion.

Definition Of Vicarious Traumatisation (VT) VT is the transformation of the worker’s inner experience as a result of empathic engagement with clients and their trauma material. (Pearlman & Saakvitne, 1995)

Characteristics Of Vicarious Trauma Cumulative. Inevitable. Developmental. Modifiable.

Factors Contributing To Vicarious Trauma Nature of work. Nature of clientele. Nature of work setting. Nature of the helper. Nature of the social/cultural/ political context. (Saakvitne, Pearlman, & TSI Staff, 1996)

Signs And Symptoms Of Vicarious Trauma Behavioural. Physical. Cognitive. Affective. Frame of reference.

Vicarious Traumatisation: Psychological Impacts Safety. Intimacy. Self esteem. Control. Trust. (Saakvitne, Pearlman, & TSI Staff, 1996)

Organisational Strategies A team culture of self and group care. Planning and working for the long haul. Creating a safe environment to express feelings. Valuing socialising, fun and humour. Education and workshops re VT. Ensuring some nontrauma component of work.

Individual Strategies Self Care Physical. Psychological. Emotional. Spiritual. Workplace/Professional.

Characteristics Of Emotional Intelligence Knowing one’s emotions – self awareness. Managing emotions. Motivating oneself. Recognising emotions in others. Handling relationships. (Goleman, 1998)

Making A Personal Commitment To Self: Why? Because I can get hurt. Because I matter. Because my clients matter. Because the work I do matters.

Making A Personal Commitment To Self: How? Not alone – get a buddy or a group. One day at a time. One change at a time. Use a variety of self care strategies. Increase consciousness and self acceptance. Don’t forget and don’t give up.

Self Care Plan Self care strategies I currently practice. Potential new strategies. What will help me implement these? What will get in the way? How will I know when I have been successful at managing my self care?

References Goleman, D. (1998). Emotional Intelligence. New York: Bantam Books. Maslach, C., Jackson, S.E., & Leiter, M. (1996) Maslach Burnout Inventory Manual (3 rd ed.). Saakvitne, K.W., Pearlman, L.A., & Staff of the Traumatic Stress Institute (1996). Transforming the pain: A workbook for professionals. New York: Norton. Pearlman, L. A., & Saakvitne, K. W. (1995). Trauma and the therapist: Countertransference and vicarious traumatisation in psychotherapy with incest survivors. New York: Norton.