• About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Shop Merch
SWHELPER
  • Login
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Mental Health
  • LGBTQ
  • Justice
No Result
View All Result
Post Jobs
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Mental Health
  • LGBTQ
  • Justice
No Result
View All Result
SWHELPER
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Health Mental Health

Everything I Know About Vicarious Trauma in Five Minutes

Wayne ScottbyWayne Scott
01/30/2016
in Mental Health, Social Work
3
Everything I Know About Vicarious Trauma in Five Minutes
0
SHARES
271
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

WayneScott

I was the poster child for Vicarious Trauma at least that’s what I liked to tell myself. In the great oppression Olympics that belongs to folks who have done human services over long careers, sometimes too long, it’s a coveted moniker. Why did I think I got this title?

Several years ago, when I was at the peak of my clinical practice, I ran six group therapy sessions a week for men referred for sexual offenses, many of whom I also saw in individual and family counseling. It was all sex offenders, all the time.  Impressively–again, this is what I liked to tell myself–I could hold it together for a 50-hour work week. I  had mastered the “pose of equanimity,” as they euphemistically called it in graduate school.

But a more savvy observer might have said my “pose of equanimity”  looked more like a frozen, coma-like state of emotional numbing. When I went home, I’d fall apart: a mess of eating and sleep problems, disengagement from family and spouse, flashbacks, startles responses, and nasty  dreams. My gastrointestinal tract was a roller derby rink.

Of course, this notion of an oppression Olympics where I get the gold medal is foolish.  Even though I know this to be true in my heart, nevertheless, as I go about, years later, as a consultant facilitating dialogues about vicarious trauma at human services agencies, I notice that other folks in my field jockey for the same distinction.  I’m not the only social worker vying for this same validation. Among ourselves, we social workers  love to tell war stories.

Generally, when social workers launch into tales of the “worst of the worst” stories of what they’ve seen with disadvantaged and troubled clients, I recognize a very human tendency:  that longing for validation of one’s suffering and appreciation for one’s personal sacrifices within beleaguered, feedback-starved environments. There’s something about thinking that my professional travails are the worst that is validating, even sustaining, bordering as it does on the heroic.

Now that I’ve affirmed my recognition that I think the oppression Olympics is a fallacy, I do want to note the two times I trained at agencies when I actually thought for a moment they really should get the prize. One was at a local program that works with a high volume of undocumented, impoverished immigrant families. I had never seen social workers embedded in such intensity of critical, unmet needs.The system was so closed and the resources were so paltry.

The other experience was at the drunk tank in my town, where inebriated folks are kept on 48-hour holds to get them off the street. The Emergency Medical Technicians had cleaned out one of the dingy, concrete-walled tanks for me to set up my laptop and infocus machine. While I clicked through my slides, I could hear the fury of involuntarily confined drunk people in the adjoining locked cells, screaming “FUCK YOU! LET ME OUT OF THIS HELL HOLE!” at the top of their lungs. My training group of twenty participants didn’t even flinch.

When I heard about the Portland Ignite event, it seemed like an opportunity to connect the common experience of vicarious trauma, which is epidemic in our field, with another event World Social Work Day on March 18th. Of course, I had known about World Social Work Day for years in the same way that I knew about National Doughnut Day (First Friday in June), Pi Day (March 14th), and National Tattoo Day (June 5th). Why did World Social Work Day exist, I used to wonder, if no one, at least in my experience, really did anything about it? Having another bogus, fluffy holiday seemed to trivialize the hard work we do.

I always tell my social work colleagues that the antidote for vicarious trauma consists of three strategies: authentic connection with fellow travelers, exceptional self-care, and validation by our organizations of the work we do. I decided to get up at Portland ignite because I wanted to send a 5-minute message of deep gratitude to all social workers as well as appreciate all the folks who do social work without benefit of the formal social work degree.

So here it is: “Strong @ the Broken Places.”  Everything I know about vicarious trauma in five crisp minutes (20 slides, 15 seconds each, no stopping, no second chances). Happy World Social Work Day everyone!

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
Tags: Compassion FatigueEmergency medical technicianHealthMental HealthSocial SciencesSocial WorkVicarious TraumaVicarious traumatization
Previous Post

Dear Social Workers: Please Provide Reliable Sources to Back Up Your Arguments

Next Post

Sexual Exploitation in the UK and the Need to be Loved

Next Post
Sexual Exploitation in the UK and the Need to be Loved

Sexual Exploitation in the UK and the Need to be Loved

Please login to join discussion
ADVERTISEMENT

Featured Jobs

Social Worker MSW
Plano, TX - Baylor Scott & White Health
*About Us* Here at Baylor Scott & White Health we ...
Social Worker MSW
Plano, TX - Baylor Scott & White Health
About UsHere at Baylor Scott & White Health we pro...
INTACT SERVICES SPECIALIST Job Details | State of Illinois
Collinsville, IL - State of Illinois
INTACT SERVICES SPECIALISTWe continually strive fo...
CWS - SCR - Springfield - Midnight - 8:30am shift - State Central Register Job Details | State of Illinois
Springfield, IL - State of Illinois
CWS - SCR - Springfield - Midnight - 8:30am shift ...
Scholar Educator Assistant Professor of Social Work
CA - Palo Alto University
Job Title:           &nbs...
Social Worker - Field - Gwinnett County, GA
Lawrenceville, GA - CVS Health
At CVS Health, we're building a world of health ar...
Social Worker - Field - Gwinnett County, GA
Atlanta, GA - CVS Health
At CVS Health, we're building a world of health ar...
Part-Time Case Manager - RN or Social Worker in Boulder CO
Boulder, CO - Optum
Optum is a global organization that delivers care,...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
New Castle, DE - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA/LMHCA)
Olympia, WA - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Outpatient-Cash Incentive Award Program!
Pleasant Grove, UT - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Outpatient-Cash Incentive Award Program!
Murray, UT - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Social Worker MSW
TX - Baylor Scott & White Health
LOCATION: Baylor Scott & White Round Rock Hospital...
Social Worker MSW
TX - Baylor Scott & White Health
LOCATION: Baylor Regional Medical Center At Plano,...
Health Sciences & Systematic Review Librarian - University Libraries
Albany, NY - The University at Albany, State University of New York
Location: Albany, NY Category: Faculty Posted...
INTACT SERVICES SPECIALIST Job Details | State of Illinois
Aurora, IL - State of Illinois
INTACT SERVICES SPECIALISTWe continually strive fo...
Social Worker / Counselor - Caldwell Arlington
Caldwell, ID - Terry Reilly Health Services
For 50 years, Terry Reilly Health Services has bee...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - Outpatient
Fort Myers, FL - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Long Island City, NY - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented therapist...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW, LPC, LMFT)
Madison, WI - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented therapist...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - School-Based Therapist
Statesville, NC - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented therapist...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Outpatient (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT)
Greensboro, NC - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented therapist...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Outpatient (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT)
Cary, NC - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented therapist...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Outpatient (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT)
Durham, NC - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented therapist...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Outpatient (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT)
Raleigh, NC - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented therapist...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Outpatient (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT)
Huntersville, NC - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented therapist...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Outpatient (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT)
Mooresville, NC - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented therapist...
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Seattle, WA - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW)
Lawrence, KS - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Kirkland, WA - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented Licensed ...
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Seattle, WA - LifeStance Health
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly health...
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Spokane, WA - LifeStance Health
We are actively looking to hire talented Licensed ...
Program Coordinator for Community Collaboration
Lawrence, KS - University of Kansas
Position OverviewSince 1873, the social sorority a...
Master Social Worker
San Antonio, TX - Undisclosed
Licensed Master Social Worker University Health ...
Master Social Worker
San Antonio, TX - Undisclosed
Licensed Master Social Worker University Health ...
Surgical Assistant
West Chester, PA - Paradigm Oral Surgery
Dental Assistant Oral SurgerySurgical Assistant Or...
Clinical Manager - Substance Use Treatment
Rockland, ME - MaineHealth
Clinical Manager - Substance Use TreatmentMaineHea...
Behavioral Health Specialist
Salisbury, MD - Johns Hopkins University
Behavioral Health Specialist The Gener...
Behavioral Health Specialist
Salisbury, MD - Johns Hopkins University
Behavioral Health Specialist The Gener...
Behavioral Health Specialist
Salisbury, MD - Johns Hopkins University
Behavioral Health Specialist The Gener...
Social Worker Field Care Coordinator - DC, MD, VA
Washington, DC - Optum
$5,000 Sign-on Bonus for External CandidatesOptum ...
Social Worker MSW
Pflugerville, TX - Baylor Scott & White Health
*JOB SUMMARY* *Baylor Scott & White Pflugerville M...
Social Worker MSW
Pflugerville, TX - Baylor Scott & White Health
JOB SUMMARY Baylor Scott & White Pflugerville Medi...
Clinical Social Worker & Coordinator
Boston, MA - UMass Boston
General Summary: The Clinical Social Worker and C...
INTACT SERVICES SPECIALIST Job Details | State of Illinois
Effingham, IL - State of Illinois
INTACT SERVICES SPECIALISTWe continually strive fo...
INTACT SERVICES SPECIALIST Job Details | State of Illinois
Collinsville, IL - State of Illinois
INTACT SERVICES SPECIALISTWe continually strive fo...
INTACT SERVICES SPECIALIST Job Details | State of Illinois
Sparta, IL - State of Illinois
INTACT SERVICES SPECIALISTWe continually strive fo...
AGENCIES & INSTITUTIONS LICENSING SPECIALIST Job Details | State of Illinois
Springfield, IL - State of Illinois
AGENCIES & INSTITUTIONS LICENSING SPECIALISTWe con...
Oral Surgery Dental Assistant
Langhorne, PA - SOCK Oral Surgery
Dental Assistant Oral SurgerySurgical Assistant Or...
Bachelors Level Social Worker
Bridgewater, MA - VitalCore Health Strategies
Join the VitalCore Team in Massachusetts! We're pe...
View All JobsPost a Job
Powered by

  • Ending the Therapeutic Relationship: Creative Termination Activities

    Ending the Therapeutic Relationship: Creative Termination Activities

    94 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What Feelings Are In Your Heart: An Art Therapy Exercise for Kids

    694 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Biopsychosocial Perspective to Mental Health and Illness

    3 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Stages of Development: Aging Across the Life Span

    580 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • My Journey as a Teacher and the Future of Education

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
ADVERTISEMENT
SWHELPER

We bring content to support you and the people you care about in their various stages of life. If you are searching in google on how to help or assist a loved one or yourself, check out our content.

LEARN MORE »

  • Terms of Service
  • Article Submissions
  • Advertising
  • Shop Merch

© 2024 SWHELPER.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Category
    • Business
    • Culture
    • Economy
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Travel
    • Opinion
    • Politics
    • Tech
    • World
  • Find/Post Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop Merch

© 2024 SWHELPER.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.

    If You Enjoyed This Post
    Join Our Newsletter
    Subscribe
    Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime.
    Close