#117- My Personal Experience With Vicarious Trauma: Recognizing and Healing Secondary Traumatic Stress

The first sign I was experiencing vicarious trauma hit me like a ton of bricks. Learn how to recognize, prevent, and heal from the emotional impact of therapy. I am so glad that you"re here and joining me for part two of Trauma-Informed Care with Older Adults. Today’s episode focuses on you—the professional in your role of providing care and services to older adults.   Whether you’re a healthcare professional, mental health provider, aging services professional, or home health aide, your health and wellness matter just as much as the people you serve.     For over 20 years, I’ve worked with older adults in various settings, many of whom were recovering from significant trauma. I have always been diligent about self-care and sought support through my own therapy. But my experience with vicarious trauma still caught me off guard—and it hit me hard.     In this episode, I share my own journey of recognizing vicarious trauma, the signs to look for, and how to navigate healing so you can continue doing the work you love without sacrificing your well-being.   What You"ll Learn in This Episode:I share the first sign I was experiencing vicarious traumaWhat vicarious trauma is and why professionals are at riskKey warning signs of vicarious traumaThe impact of trauma exposure on mental health providers and aging service professionalsStrategies to recognize, manage, and prevent vicarious traumaOrganizational and personal solutions to creating a sustainable career in care work   Click here to Get your free Trauma-Informed Care Guide   Why Trauma-Informed Care Matters in Aging Services A trauma-informed approach: ✔️ Improves trust and engagement between older adults and providers ✔️ Leads to better health outcomes and reduces health inequities ✔️ Helps providers avoid burnout and fosters resilience within care teams Click here to go to the show notes for this episode Have a topic idea? Send us a text. PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits