Helping the Helpers: Secondary Trauma at Work

Secondary Trauma and Vicarious Trauma: Know the Signs

This one is for all of you out there doing dangerous and life-saving work. I'm talking about child welfare caseworkers, mental health first responders (designated crisis responders, crisis line clinicians, crisis peers), nurses and just about every other healthcare professional there is. And, of course, EMTs, law enforcement, firefighters, journalists, lawyers, and people with the courage to show up when people need you the most.

You bear witness to the traumas of others. You show up with empathy, professionalism, and kindness again and again. And over time, you've noticed that it's starting to wear on you. You’ve got all the symptoms of secondary trauma: you feel anxious, can’t stop thinking about the things you’ve seen, and you constantly feel like something bad is just around the corner. If this is left to fester, you might start to notice big shifts in your beliefs about safety, trust, and meaning that can impact every aspect of your life. This is what we call vicarious trauma. It's your body's way of closing your heart in order to protect you.

Overexposure to trauma takes a toll on the body, too. Bearing witness to traumatic events leads to chronic stress on multiple organ systems. There are links between trauma exposure and heart disease, hypertension, stroke, as well as metabolic and endocrine effects including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Trauma exposure is associated with higher rates of cancer, kidney disease, chronic pain, muscle tension, and headaches.

We all know that self-care is part of the job. That’s all well and good… until it isn’t enough any longer. Here's the thing: trauma exposure rewires how we relate to our own needs. Trauma and shame go hand in hand, so it's no surprise that witnesses often feel guilty for resting or enjoying themselves. Besides that, a more sensitive nervous system can leave your whole body feeling unsafe, so your attempts to relax may actually make you feel more anxious. Trauma can disrupt sleep, appetite, and energy levels, making it extra hard to just attend to the basics. So, yes - practice self-care! And get more help when you notice it's not working like it used to.

Picture this: you arrive at work with a renewed sense of hope. When you get home at the end of the day you can just turn it all off. You can spend time living YOUR OWN LIFE, getting great sleep, and maybe, just maybe, not feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Evidence-based trauma therapies like EMDR can help you fully process the things you bear witness to so that you can let go of them. And therapeutic yoga helps you experience your body as a safe place for you to be; right here, right now.

You give so much to those you serve. It’s time to do something for yourself that is genuinely healing from the inside out. I’m here to support you with online and in-person EMDR, yoga therapy, and specialized care – all you need to do is reach out.

Book a session with me today. You'll be glad you did.