Mental Health Counselors and Vicarious Trauma
Date
2018
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Publisher
Winona State University
Abstract
Although there are a handful of evidence-based treatment interventions for clients seeking
treatment for trauma related concerns, limited evidence-based treatment interventions exist for the
professionals treating survivors of trauma that are experiencing symptoms of vicarious trauma.
Mental health counselors are potentially at-risk for developing vicarious trauma or secondary
traumatic stress while working with clients seeking treatment for traumatic experiences. Signs
and symptoms of vicarious trauma include emotional and physical symptoms similar to those of
posttraumatic stress disorder. Risk factors include childhood or personal trauma, work-place
organization, lack of supportive clinical supervision, and lack of self-care. Screening tools utilized
to measure and assess vicarious trauma amongst mental health counselors include: The Vicarious
Resilience Scale, the Professional Quality of Life Protocol, the Coping Strategies Inventory, the
Differentiation of Self Inventory, and the Modified Stroop. Preventative efforts against developing
vicarious trauma include attending regular clinical supervision and consultation groups, practicing
healthy self-care, and participating in continuing education. Treatment interventions associated
with vicarious trauma include self-care, mindfulness-centered therapeutic approaches, additional
supervision, and cognitive behavioral techniques. Additional research is needed to quantify further
evidence-based treatment interventions for treating mental health counselors experiencing
vicarious trauma
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Keywords
vicarious trauma, therapist, evidence-Based Practice, mental health workers
Citation
Sobkowiak, Nicole. (2018). Mental Health Counselors and Vicarious Trauma. Counselor Education Capstones. 75. Winona State University.