Vicarious trauma is a critical and often overlooked issue that affects mental health professionals who work closely with individuals impacted by trauma. This 4-hour training will explore the ethical implications of understanding and managing vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress. Participants will learn how prolonged exposure to clients’ trauma narratives can manifest in emotional, psychological, and physical exhaustion, leading to ethical concerns such as impaired judgment and diminished empathy. The course will provide evidence-based grounding techniques to help mental health professionals cope with these challenges. Attendees will also engage in a self-care assessment and develop a personalized self-care plan to promote long-term resilience and professional sustainability. By recognizing the signs and implementing strategies to mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma, mental health professionals will not only enhance their well-being but also ensure they deliver ethical, compassionate care to their clients.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the symptoms and ethical implications of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress in mental health professionals.

Utilize grounding techniques and other self-care strategies to mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma and improve emotional regulation.

Conduct a self-care assessment and create a personalized self-care plan to promote professional longevity and resilience.

Explore the ethical responsibilities in addressing vicarious trauma and how it impacts therapeutic relationships and professional conduct.

Understand the importance of maintaining professional boundaries to prevent secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue.