Vicarious Trauma in the Workplace

Vicarious trauma can be a hidden, yet serious occupational hazard in some industries, especially for professionals working in high-stress roles.

But how do you recognise vicarious trauma? And more importantly, what can you do to protect yourself and your team?

🔍 What is vicarious trauma?

Vicarious trauma refers to the negative effects a person may experience as a result of indirect exposure to trauma – listening to clients’ stories, reviewing case files or witnessing traumatic outcomes.

While there are similarities between them, vicarious trauma is different to burnout and compassion fatigue.

It is prevalent in caregiving and emergency response roles – healthcare, mental healthcare, law enforcement, social work and humanitarian aid.

For example, a social worker managing a high number of sensitive cases may start to experience fatigue, emotional detachment and a loss of trust in the world. The social worker is experiencing the effects of vicarious trauma, not just tiredness or overwork.

💡 Recognising the signs and symptoms

Vicarious trauma affects people differently, but common early warning signs include:

A change in worldview.
Difficulty regulating emotions or showing empathy.
Struggles with maintaining boundaries.
Sleep disturbances or chronic fatigue.
Reduced job satisfaction.

📘 Professional impacts

In high-stress workplaces, exposure to trauma is often unavoidable, but the effects don't have to be.

Employers can implement strategies that significantly reduce the risk, including:

Reflective supervision.
Peer debriefing.
Ongoing professional development.

Organisations that do not proactively address vicarious trauma may see increased rates of absenteeism, staff turnover and reduced morale.

🛠️ Managing vicarious trauma

If left unaddressed, vicarious trauma can progress into more serious mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression.

To begin to manage vicarious trauma, staff should maintain healthy boundaries between their work and personal lives as well as practice good self-care.

Staff should also consider:

Building emotional literacy and self-awareness through reflective practice.
Developing a personal wellbeing plan tailored to their role and risk level.
Engaging in peer support networks to reduce isolation.

🎓 Ready to tackle vicarious trauma?

If you're working in a high-stress role, increasing your understanding of vicarious trauma is not just beneficial – it’s essential.

Without the right tools and supports in place, repeated exposure to others’ trauma can begin to affect your emotional, psychological and even physical wellbeing.

Learn more about vicarious trauma, including practical coping strategies for personal and professional use, by joining our new course – Understanding Vicarious Trauma: Tools for Helping Professionals.