Vicarious Trauma and self care
Vicarious Trauma and self care
This discussion is designed to help supervisees monitor the cumulative impact of trauma work and build a sustainable personal plan to ensure you can remain prepared, aware and supported.
1: The "Temperature Check"
Vicarious Trauma (VT) is a transformation in your inner experience resulting from empathetic engagement with clients' trauma material.
Reflect on the past month. Have you noticed any of the following?
Cognitive: Changes in how you view the world (e.g., increased cynicism, feeling the world is unsafe).
Emotional: Feeling overwhelmed, "bystander guilt," or unexpected anger/sadness.
Physical: Difficulty sleeping, heightened startle response, or lingering exhaustion.
Behavioural: Social withdrawal or avoiding certain types of client stories.
2: Identifying "Safe Spaces" & Boundaries
Healthy boundaries are the first step in being truly empathic and compassionate without losing yourself.
Work/Life Transition: What is one specific "ritual" you use to leave work at work? (e.g., a specific playlist on the drive home, changing clothes immediately).
The "Safe Place": Where do you feel most at ease? How often did you spend...