Vicarious traumatisation (VT) can be defined in many different ways, depending on the type of trauma the therapist or helper is exposed to, however, an overall definition that contains all common factors of (VT) can be defined as so. Vicarious traumatisation can be described as a change, mostly negative, of the therapist or helper due to heavy empathic engagement with trauma survivors. (Pack, 2013) states that vicarious traumatisation effects can be long lasting and irremediable if not attended to, whereas (McCann and Pearlman, 1990) describe vicarious traumatisation a change or disruption of the helper’s cognitive schema. VT prevention strategies have been slow to form due to the lack of knowledge of how they occur and the difference of vicarious
…show more content…
It is also mentioned that vicarious traumatization of therapists can vary from therapists to therapist due to factors such as such as intensity of the disruption of the cognitive schema, childhood experiences of the therapist or counsellor and empathic engagement in the case. According to Little (2002), VT does not occur from a single, solitary traumatic event but a build-up of being exposed to trauma over time. The impact of long term therapeutic with traumatic survivors can lead to therapists distancing themselves from their clients (Taylor & Furlonger, 2011). An article by Howlett and Collins (2014) mentions that most VT cases that develop from long term therapeutic work with trauma survivors had the same or comparable symptoms to that of the client being cared for. Based on the evidence of the literature seen above, it can be understood that that VT is the most common impact of lengthy term therapeutic work with trauma …show more content…
As stated in Howlett and Collins (2014) psychodynamic theory is connected to VT in trauma therapists, if the therapists themselves have had a similar trauma experience or experiences. Psychodynamic theory relates to the yearnings and influences of humans both the conscience and unconscious, with particular emphasis on the unconscious. By allowing the therapist to connect and recognise within themselves that they have been exposed to similar traumatic experiences and to communicate with other therapists in the same field lessens the chances of VT occurring (Howlett & Collins,
It is also mentioned that vicarious traumatization of therapists can vary from therapists to therapist due to factors such as such as intensity of the disruption of the cognitive schema, childhood experiences of the therapist or counsellor and empathic engagement in the case. According to Little (2002), VT does not occur from a single, solitary traumatic event but a build-up of being exposed to trauma over time. The impact of long term therapeutic with traumatic survivors can lead to therapists distancing themselves from their clients (Taylor & Furlonger, 2011). An article by Howlett and Collins (2014) mentions that most VT cases that develop from long term therapeutic work with trauma survivors had the same or comparable symptoms to that of the client being cared for. Based on the evidence of the literature seen above, it can be understood that that VT is the most common impact of lengthy term therapeutic work with trauma …show more content…
As stated in Howlett and Collins (2014) psychodynamic theory is connected to VT in trauma therapists, if the therapists themselves have had a similar trauma experience or experiences. Psychodynamic theory relates to the yearnings and influences of humans both the conscience and unconscious, with particular emphasis on the unconscious. By allowing the therapist to connect and recognise within themselves that they have been exposed to similar traumatic experiences and to communicate with other therapists in the same field lessens the chances of VT occurring (Howlett & Collins,