Psychology is a unique profession that provides help to those who choose it. In this field, it is typically a therapist who selflessly sits, listens, and advises individuals through life’s struggles. More often than desired, a therapist must deal with individuals who have experienced very traumatic and abusive situations. Even with a great deal of patience, endurance, and training in the art of therapy, therapists are still vulnerable to the effects of trauma and stress during and after sessions with clients. In order to grasp how stress effects a therapist, it is important to clarify some terminology debated by phycology scholars, explain the mental and physical results of occupational stress, and creatively find ways to reduce the negative
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For psychology, the terms trauma and stress need defining because it is important to understand how a client’s traumatic experiences effect a therapist. Trauma is sometimes misunderstood. Trauma is any event that can cause a psychological impact on an individual (Smith). Examples of such events can include witnessing a murder, sexual abuse, or a hurricane that devastated a home or town. Frequently, vicarious and secondary stress are used in trauma therapy. According to Amy R. Hesse, “Many use the terms "secondary trauma" and "vicarious trauma" interchangeably to mean the effects on a therapist of any work with traumatized clients”(296). This is important because research data and case studies use these interchangeably, which has caused confusion in the community of scholars. Understanding the definitions of trauma and stress help understand the researcher’s studies more …show more content…
To give some perspective, how can an individual save a person from drowning if they themselves are drowning? They cannot. Unfortunately, many therapists do not recognize they are in trouble; most therapist do not seek out help. A solution to this could be for the American Psychology Association to mandate regulations for a therapist to attend a self-help therapy events. By requiring attendance to accountability sessions, perhaps the mental and physical health of the therapist would be as valued as that of a client. Thus providing an emotional outlet which would release stress. Immerging therapists in therapy themselves and having it reinforced, will reduce the effect stress has on a
For psychology, the terms trauma and stress need defining because it is important to understand how a client’s traumatic experiences effect a therapist. Trauma is sometimes misunderstood. Trauma is any event that can cause a psychological impact on an individual (Smith). Examples of such events can include witnessing a murder, sexual abuse, or a hurricane that devastated a home or town. Frequently, vicarious and secondary stress are used in trauma therapy. According to Amy R. Hesse, “Many use the terms "secondary trauma" and "vicarious trauma" interchangeably to mean the effects on a therapist of any work with traumatized clients”(296). This is important because research data and case studies use these interchangeably, which has caused confusion in the community of scholars. Understanding the definitions of trauma and stress help understand the researcher’s studies more …show more content…
To give some perspective, how can an individual save a person from drowning if they themselves are drowning? They cannot. Unfortunately, many therapists do not recognize they are in trouble; most therapist do not seek out help. A solution to this could be for the American Psychology Association to mandate regulations for a therapist to attend a self-help therapy events. By requiring attendance to accountability sessions, perhaps the mental and physical health of the therapist would be as valued as that of a client. Thus providing an emotional outlet which would release stress. Immerging therapists in therapy themselves and having it reinforced, will reduce the effect stress has on a