What is “vicarious trauma”? And how can clinical psychology help?
What is “vicarious trauma”? And how can clinical psychology help?
For many professionals working in mental health, healthcare, or legal settings, exposure to the distressing stories of others can take an unseen toll. This emotional impact is known as vicarious trauma, sometimes referred to as secondary trauma. It occurs when repeated empathic engagement with individuals who have experienced trauma begins to affect one’s own psychological wellbeing. At The London Neurocognitive Clinic, our clinical psychologists help professionals manage vicarious trauma and maintain wellbeing. Recognising vicarious trauma early is essential to maintaining emotional resilience and professional effectiveness.
What Is Vicarious Trauma?
Vicarious trauma describes the psychological changes that can occur when someone internalises another person’s traumatic experience. This can affect therapists, counsellors, social workers, lawyers, or even family members who support a loved one following trauma. The symptoms can mirror those of post-traumatic stress, including intrusive thoughts, emotional exhaustion, sleep difficulties, irritability, or a sense of helplessness. Over time, this exposure can reshape the way individuals perceive safety, trust, and control in their own lives.
Vicarious Trauma vs Burnout
While vicarious trauma and burnout can appear similar, their origins differ. Burnout arises from chronic workplace stress, often linked to excessive workload or lack of support. Vicarious trauma, however, specifically stems from exposure to another person’s suffering or traumatic narrative. Recognising this distinction is vital because each requires a different approach to recovery. Addressing vicarious trauma means attending to emotional residue from trauma exposure, not just managing professional stress.
The Impact of Vicarious Trauma on Family Members
Vicarious trauma doesn’t only affect professionals. Family members of trauma survivors may also experience distress, anxiety, or compassion fatigue. Supporting someone through trauma can create a heavy emotional burden, sometimes leading to a shared sense of vulnerability. Clinical psychologists can help families identify these reactions early and provide strategies to maintain emotional boundaries while offering support.
How Clinical Psychologists Can Help
Clinical psychology interventions play a key role in preventing and addressing vicarious trauma. Through therapeutic support, individuals can process their emotional responses, develop coping skills, and regain perspective. Techniques such as mindfulness, trauma-focused therapy, and cognitive-behavioural approaches can help manage intrusive thoughts, build resilience, and restore balance.
A clinical psychologist can also help organisations build trauma-informed practices, ensuring that staff members working in challenging environments receive regular supervision and emotional support. For family members, therapy provides a safe space to explore the emotional weight of their experiences and learn strategies for self-care.
The Importance of Self-Care and Boundaries
Setting clear boundaries and practicing consistent self-care are crucial steps in managing vicarious trauma. This might include maintaining realistic workloads, taking regular breaks, and engaging in restorative activities outside work. Clinical psychologists often guide clients in recognising early warning signs of fatigue or emotional depletion and in developing healthy routines to prevent escalation.
Takeaway: Healing the Healers
Vicarious trauma is a natural response to caring deeply about others’ pain. It can, however, be managed effectively with professional guidance, personal awareness, and the right psychological tools. At The London Neurocognitive Clinic, our clinical psychologists provide compassionate, evidence-based support to professionals and families affected by trauma, helping them restore balance and maintain emotional wellbeing.
If you or someone you know feels emotionally affected by trauma exposure, please contact our clinic to explore how we can help.
