Combatting vicarious trauma in the workplace

What is vicarious trauma

Vicarious trauma is an occupational challenge for many people working in caring professions such as child and family services, aged care, community services and other industries where workers are supporting others who may be impacted by trauma. Vicarious trauma refers to negative effects caused by repeated exposure to information about traumatic events and experiences, potentially leading to distress, dissatisfaction, hopelessness and serious mental and physical health problems. It's a common response to ongoing exposure to other people's trauma. Left untreated, it can affect us psychologically, physically, socially, spiritually and professionally.

How can we combat vicarious trauma in the workplace?

Work can be rewarding but it can also contain risk. This 6 workshop can be delivered face-to-face, hybrid or online. It is built from the Sanctuary framework (an evidence-based whole-of-organisation cultural model that promotes staff wellbeing and prevents vicarious trauma) and teaches practical strategies to identify and prevent vicarious trauma, and maintain healthy teams. Our team of multidisciplinary experts work with you to ensure the workshop is customised to your organisation and context by bringing in relevant examples, scenarios and cases.

For an overview of our Combatting Vicarious Trauma Workshop download the flyer below

For more detailed information download the booklet

We can work with you to design and deliver professional learning and workshops that meet your needs.

Learning outcomes

• Define vicarious trauma
• Identify where vicarious trauma may be present in your role
• Understand how vicarious trauma impacts an individual and team
• Identify the warning signs of vicarious trauma
• Articulate basic tips for minimising the impact of vicarious trauma
• Understand that prevention can occur within a trusted team
• Create a shared language to identify events or build up
• Establish a group norm that warning signs will not go unsupported
• Understand tools to support prevention: peer reflection, safety plans and self-care plans

What is the Sanctuary Model?

The Sanctuary Model is a workplace culture-change program that teaches people how to cope more effectively with adversity and stress, and aims to prevent trauma symptoms.