This past March, Minnesota-based reporter Hana Ikramuddin featured my work in The Imprint, a publication focused on child welfare. The article explores the role I play at the Child and Family Advocacy Center of South Central Minnesota—supporting advocates, forensic interviewers, social workers, police officers, legal and medical team members and child protection investigators as they process the work they do.
If you missed it, you can read Hana's full piece here. But I wanted to expand on that conversation because I think it reveals something important about how we support—or fail to support—the professionals doing some of the hardest work in our communities.
Vicarious trauma is the emotional and psychological impact that happens when you are repeatedly exposed to other people’s trauma; especially through listening, supporting, or caring for them. It’s most common in helpers and can affect anyone who holds space for others’ pain or provides emergent care.
Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, founder and director of The Trauma Stewardship Institute and the author of Trauma Stewardship, is a pioneer in the field of trauma exposure. She coined the term trauma stewardship to describe a sustainable, justice-rooted approach to caring for ourselves while caring for others. She acknowledges that not only does the work we do have potential to create vicarious trauma, but the systems and conditions we are expected to work within can impact if we experience vicarious trauma as well.
Again, vicarious trauma at its core, is a shift in how you see yourself, others, and the world. And it can affect how you show up in relationships, your work and impact your decision making.
What vicarious trauma can include
It's important to know, vicarious trauma is not a sign that you’re doing something wrong. It often means:
For the record, I believe there are many systems that could use an update and refresher in the realities of what frontline workers are truly navigating on a daily basis. The education and health care systems are two that weigh heavy on my heart. We ask a lot from these professionals and I don’t always see or believe that the systems that are in place are supportive or conducive to long term health and well being to these providers which has the potential to impact the people they serve.
If you are curious about your work environment and how my reflective consultation and debriefing services can help your organization, connect with me!