Vicarious trauma is a real and serious issue for many social care workers, such as social workers, mental health nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, and disability support workers. It’s important to understand what it is, how to avoid it, and how to recover from it.
What is Vicarious Trauma?
Vicarious trauma is the emotional and psychological harm that can occur as a result of working with people who have experienced traumatic events. It can manifest as feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and helplessness, and can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
How to Avoid Vicarious Trauma
One of the best ways to avoid vicarious trauma is to take care of yourself. This means getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in regular physical activity. It also means taking breaks when you need them, and setting boundaries with clients to ensure that you’re not getting too emotionally invested in their stories.
Another important step is to seek support from colleagues, supervisors, and mental health professionals. Talking to others about your experiences and getting feedback can help you process what you’re going through and keep things in perspective.
It’s also important to attend regular supervision, which can help you debrief, reflect and process the work you are doing. You should also consider seeking out training and education on vicarious trauma and self-care to build your knowledge and skills.
How to Recover from Vicarious Trauma
If you’re already experiencing vicarious trauma, it’s important to take steps to recover as soon as possible. This means seeking out professional help, such as counselling or therapy.
It’s also important to engage in self-care practices such as yoga, meditation, or journaling. These practices can help you relax, reduce stress, and process your emotions in a healthy way.
It’s also important to take a break from work, if possible, to give yourself time to heal and recover. This can be difficult, especially if you’re passionate about your work, but it’s important to remember that you can’t help others if you’re not taking care of yourself.
The Bottom Line
Vicarious trauma is a serious issue for many social care workers and it’s important to understand what it is, how to avoid it, and how to recover from it. By taking care of yourself, seeking support, and engaging in self-care practices, you can reduce your risk of vicarious trauma and recover if you do experience it. Remember that it’s okay to take a break if you need it and that seeking help is always the best option.
Be Recruitment is a specialist recruitment partner for the health and social care sector. If you’re looking to take the next step in your social care career, get in touch for a confidential chat today – we’d love to hear from you.
