Pro-Actively reducing vicarious trauma: what are we missing?

Abstract

This project addressed the need for Vicarious Trauma education for new counsellors who are exposed to client trauma a regular basis. A literature review was conducted prior to the development of a psycho-educational training manual which teaches, via an eight-week group meeting program, a solid foundation of knowledge and protective strategies for mitigating the effects of vicarious trauma. Integrating traditional Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches to Vicarious Trauma mitigation with new developments in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment that involve somatic, psychophysiological and sensorimotor psychotherapy. The blending of these theories gives new insight into techniques to prevent, reduce and protect counsellors from Vicarious Trauma.