1. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Vicarious and Secondary Trauma and Burnout in Foster Parents: PREVENTION & INTERVENTION A Training Seminar For Foster Parents of Sexually Abused Children

2. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Training Seminar n Based on a research project funded by the Office of Children and Family Services, Award 34937; Project 1044844, Task 2 through the Center of Development of Human Services, Research Foundation, SUNY, Buffalo State College

3. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Vicarious Traumatization n What is it? –When we open our hearts to hear someone’s story of abuse, our beliefs can be challenged and we can be changed. –Vicarious Traumatization is a transformation of the helper’s inner experience resulting from empathic engagement with another’s trauma.

4. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Vicarious Traumatization Signs and Symptoms n General Changes –No time or energy for oneself –Disconnection from loved ones –Increased sensitivity to violence –Social withdrawal –Cynicism –Generalized despair

5. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Vicarious Traumatization Signs and Symptoms n Specific Changes –Disrupted frame of reference –Changes in identity, world view, spirituality –Diminished self capacities –Impaired ego resources –Disrupted Psychology needs –Alterations in sensory experiences

6. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Vicarious Traumatization Contributing Factors The Situation –Nature of the work –Cumulative exposure to trauma material –Social/cultural context The Individual –Personal history –Personality and reaction style –Coping style –Current life context –Training and professional history

7. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Personal Assessment n Contributing Factors n Signs of Vicarious Traumatization n Self-Care –Physical self-care –Psychological self-care –Emotional self-care –Spiritual self-care –Balance

8. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Foster Parent Lifeline Events/Milestones in life as foster parent Events/Milestones in personal life

9. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Foster Parent Lifeline n By yourself or with a partner, examine the following: –What similarities or differences do you notice about the professional/personal events? –What interplay do you see among your personal transitions and developmental milestones and the children who have affected you? –What hypotheses come to mind? –Compare your two world views. In what ways have they changed? Is that a result of your work? Do they reflect vicarious traumatization?

10. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation The ABC’s of Addressing and Preventing VT n Awareness n Balance n Connection In 3 Realms of Our Lives n Professional n Organizational n Personal

11. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Making a Commitment to Yourself n Professional n Organizational n Personal

12. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation References Materials adapted from: Saakvitne, K. W. & Pearlman, L. A. (1996). Transforming the Pain: A Workbook on Vicarious Traumatization. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.

13. © 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation THANK YOU!