Online Workshop: Vicarious Trauma

Psychological trauma can occur when a person is not able to cope with a distressing or overwhelming event, or process the emotions involved with their experiences.

Professionals including clinicians, frontline staff, supervisors and managers can experience vicarious trauma as a result of hearing about another person’s trauma and witnessing their associated distress. Over time, this work-related exposure to clients’ trauma can have a significant impact on professionals’ wellbeing.

This workshop will explore different types of trauma and how they can impact staff and organisations. Factors that enhance and undermine resilience will be discussed. We will also outline strategies that you can use to manage vicarious trauma and maintain your wellbeing at work.

Outcomes

You will gain the knowledge and skills to:

• understand the nature and impact of vicarious trauma
• understand that vicarious trauma is not a sign of weakness, but that it’s a normal human response that can occur after exposure to other people’s trauma
• identify tools for monitoring your own and others’ personal and professional wellbeing
• identify strategies to reduce your risk, and the risk of others, of experiencing vicarious trauma
• recognise the signs and symptoms that may indicate when vicarious trauma is affecting wellbeing and work
• incorporate practices that support resilience and sustainability into work routines.

Ideal for

Frontline staff, clinical staff, leaders, supervisors and managers.

About the presenter

Lilia Szarski is a clinical supervisor and experienced trainer at Relationships Australia Victoria and a qualified, registered psychologist. She is also a member of the Australian Psychological Society, International Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and the International Association of Applied Psychologists.