As an online therapist based in North Berwick, I've witnessed firsthand the profound impact that working with trauma can have on mental health professionals. Today, I want to shed light on a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of our work: vicarious trauma.

Vicarious trauma, also known as secondary traumatic stress or compassion fatigue, occurs when we're repeatedly exposed to others' traumatic experiences. It's a natural, almost inevitable consequence of empathetically engaging with trauma survivors. While it most commonly affects mental health professionals, it can also touch the lives of social workers, emergency responders, lawyers, journalists, and anyone regularly exposed to traumatic content.

The effects of vicarious trauma can be subtle at first but deeply impactful over time. You might find yourself experiencing intrusive thoughts about your clients' traumas, struggling to separate work from your personal life, or noticing changes in your worldview. Perhaps you're feeling more anxious, having trouble sleeping or experiencing a decreased sense of personal safety. These are all common symptoms of vicarious trauma.

It's crucial to understand that experiencing vicarious trauma doesn't mean you're weak or unsuited for this work. Rather, it's a normal response to repeated exposure to human suffering. It's a sign that you're empathetically engaged with your clients - a quality that likely drew you to this field in the first place.

However, left unaddressed, vicarious trauma can lead to burnout and impact your ability to effectively support your clients. That's why recognising and managing vicarious trauma is so important. Here are some strategies that can help:

Maintain work-life balance: Set clear boundaries between your professional and personal life.

Engage in regular supervision and debriefing: Don't carry the weight of your clients' traumas alone.

Prioritise self-care: This isn't selfish; it's necessary for sustainable practice.

Seek personal therapy: Sometimes, we need our own space to process what we're experiencing.

Engage in ongoing professional development: Learning new skills can help you feel more equipped to handle challenging cases.

Remember, acknowledging vicarious trauma isn't a sign of weakness - it's a sign of self-awareness and professional responsibility. By taking care of ourselves, we ensure that we can continue to provide the best possible care for our clients.

If you're a helping professional and you're noticing signs of vicarious trauma, please don't hesitate to reach out for support. As therapists, we're often so focused on caring for others that we neglect our own needs. But your wellbeing matters too.