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Vicarious Trauma and Self-Care

Vicarious trauma is a name given to the impact that working in high stress situations can have on people, particularly when witnessing suffering. 
Awareness of the field of vicarious trauma, with attention to self care in relation to work stress, can help maintain well being. 
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Vicarious Trauma symptoms (physical, psychological, behavioural)
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Tools for self-care (physical, psychological, behavioural)
The above trees were devised during trainings on the subject of vicarious trauma and resilience in late 2015, for Doctors Of The World, East London clinic. 
These were organised and facilitated by Phil Murwill (DOTW), Lee Anna Simmons (SA&T), and Dr Jen Hall.

Summary of the initiative: PDF here
Below are sample material derived from workshops on the subject of vicarious trauma, self and collective-care 2016
​Thanks to Doctors Of The World and Latin American Women's Rights Service 

Brief definitions from the attendees:

What is Vicarious Trauma? 
  • Work with vulnerable people impacts on the self
  • Taking on trauma of the client
  • Impacts on own perspective / life
What is Secondary Trauma?
  • Impact of images (doesn’t have to be work based)
  • Seeing / hearing news can cause it
  • Sense of helplessness
What is Burnout?
  • Work exhaustion, not necessarily trauma related
  • Can no longer relate / care or empathise (compassion fatigue related)
  • Saturated / giving up
How to guard against Vicarious Trauma? 
The below points were derived through group discussion and art making:

Team 
  • Clear boundaries
  • Not here to save - here to guide and support
  • Pre-arranged timings
  • Realistic expectations
  • Good communication within the team
  • Understanding of responsibilities
  • Schedule and protect reflective time / team support
  • Discuss / feedback at end of day
Individual 
  • Exercise
  • Social life / family
  • Music
  • Nature
  • Humour
  • Love
General 
(noted throughout workshop)

  • Leave work at work
  • Clear focus
  • Solid time keeping
  • Assertiveness
  • ​Recognise what you HAVE done / achieved
  • Done lists / board of achievements
  • Talk within the team - communication
  • Build compassion
  • Understanding of different roles
  • Have clear roles
  • Time together as a team that is not only task focused
  • Block abuse together - support colleagues
  • Build in breaks
  • Encourage a culture of staff loyalty, and team support
The above points can be helpful to keep in mind when working in challenging humanitarian work situations on a regular basis. 

PDF samples here: 
anon_notes_vt_team_support_workshop.pdf
File Size: 70 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

proqol_5_english_self-score_7_2011.pdf
File Size: 72 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

- Sessions are online with occasional face to face work: currently full (waiting list)

- The next training in EMDR & Art Therapy' combined (for practitioners) is open for bookings:

socialarttherapy.com/emd-art-training

- Vicarious Trauma and self care for therapists training via EMDR UK is open for bookings: emdrassociationevents.org.uk/product/emdr-vicarious-trauma-and-self-care
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© Social Art Therapy Ltd 2023
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​SA&T is the trading name for Social Art Therapy Ltd - TM: UK00003176036 Company registration number: 096  380 59
Address: 
20 Love Lane, London SE18 6GZ - Email: info@socialarttherapy.com -