Posted January 17, 2025

The Struggles of Vicarious Trauma

As a clinician, I witnessed, experiences, and heard stories that affected me deeply. Vicarious trauma occurs when we absorb the pain and suffering of others, making it difficult to continue seeing the beauty and awe in the world. Symptoms like nightmares, disrupted sleep, intrusive thoughts, and feelings of hypervigilance or depression can arise. If left unresolved, vicarious trauma can lead some clinicians to leave the field feeling broken or hopeless about life. Others may continue the work but fall into "survival mode," where meaningful connections with clients are harder to maintain.

The Shift in Perspective

Over time in practice, our perspective changes; that’s natural. For example, I notice that when I drive past someone walking on the side of the road, I immediately look for signs that they are or aren’t safe and consider whether they might try to harm themselves or others. These thoughts arise because of what I’ve seen in my work, and I know I’m not alone—clients attempting suicide or exhibiting dangerous behavior is part of what we are trained to be screening. We can’t ‘unsee’ the darkest parts of the world, and this can affect our sense of safety and trust in others, even in our personal lives.

There are some strategies we can use to help us stay grounded in the work, moving with the ebb and flow of the turmoil and triumphs that embody clinical work. We can strive for the following:

Maintaining a Balanced Frame of Mind

While our lens may shift due to the difficult stories we hear, it's important to remember that not everything is bad. Even clients who have endured some of the most harrowing experiences have survived and often carry wisdom and insight that others don’t have. A significant part of managing vicarious trauma involves maintaining the right frame of mind. Change is often slow and non-linear, but it’s cumulative. Recognizing small moments of progress—both for our clients and ourselves—can help us stay grounded.

Embracing Emotions and Self-Care

It's normal to feel devastated after hearing a client’s story or witnessing impulsive decisions. Experiencing strong emotions, whether in the room with the client or afterward, is a way of honoring their pain and showing empathy. If we stop feeling these emotions, we need to check in with ourselves. Are we numbing our emotions or becoming apathetic? This may signal a need for our own therapy, support, or consultation to process these feelings. Staying connected to the emotional pulse of our work is crucial for managing vicarious trauma.

Finding Meaning in the Work

I’ve found that some of my most challenging cases have led to the greatest personal growth. Though the process was painful and sometimes led to sleepless nights, the meaning I found in those experiences made the pain worth it. Reflecting on the stories we hear and the lives we touch can help us frame our work in a way that makes sense. How can we challenge our beliefs or assumptions about clients and their progress? Are we holding on to negative beliefs that hinder our growth? Engaging in self-reflection—through journaling, therapy, or consultation—can help us reframe these thoughts and prevent them from contributing to vicarious trauma.

Releasing the Shame of Feeling Overwhelmed

Many clinicians feel they’ve failed if they experience vicarious trauma. But it’s important to recognize that we’re not doing anything wrong. We enter the helping profession because we care deeply about others' healing and recovery. It’s natural to internalize the pain and suffering we encounter. Acceptance is key. If we view our emotions as part of the process rather than something to fight, it allows us to better manage the difficult aspects of our work.

Embracing the Gray Areas

What if we saw the emotional turmoil as part of understanding the complexity of life? In many cases, "hurt people hurt people," and as clinicians, we encounter individuals who have experienced profound pain. The process of being with them in their journey can feel both magical and overwhelming. The key is to open ourselves to these experiences—knowing they will change us but trusting that we won’t drown in the process.

Moving Toward Growth and Healing

Accepting the reality of vicarious trauma doesn’t mean we stop growing. The tools we use for self-care, reflection, and perspective are strategies for managing the pain we experience. By embracing the uncertainty of our careers and allowing space for change and growth, we can continue to heal ourselves while helping others on their path.