Background: There is an emerging literature suggesting that clinicians can go through a process of personal change when engaging in psychotherapeutic work with trauma survivors, which parallels that experienced by clients themselves. The current evidence regarding the relationship between engaging in psychological therapy and compassion satisfaction, vicarious post-traumatic growth and vicarious resilience is inconclusive. A number of methodological weaknesses in the existing literature were identified. The review highlights the need for future research to examine the contextual, demographic and psychological factors which allow therapists to experience positive psychological outcomes from their trauma work. Objective: This study aims to explore vicarious post-traumatic changes in clinicians who work with adult survivors of complex trauma and the role of organisational factors in these changes. Method: Grounded theory methodology was used to analyse interview data with twelve participants (nine female and three male), all of whom had high complex trauma caseloads. Results: The study generated a theory proposing that undertaking trauma work involves the interplay between numerous challenges pertaining to clinicians’ expectations of themselves, therapeutic challenges and organisational neglect. Engaging in trauma work with clients leads to psychological and emotional changes in therapists. A lack of organisational support further contributes to such changes, leaving clinicians feeling isolated and overwhelmed. In order to cope with these challenges, clinicians develop coping mechanisms in the form of emotional detachment and accessing external supports. Alongside this, clinicians identify positive effects of trauma work arising from the therapeutic relationship. These positive outcomes appear to mediate the more negative effects of trauma work, relating to psychoemotional changes and lack of organisational support. Conclusion: These findings suggest a need for a greater understanding of the degree of reciprocity between clients, clinicians and services and the provision of trauma-informed services both for clients and clinicians.

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) often bear witness to trauma in others, leaving them vulnerable to vicarious traumatization. Vicarious resilience can counterbalance the negative effects of trauma work and help individuals avoid vicarious traumatization. This study investigated the phenomenon of vicarious resilience in 10 LEOs. The research questions focused on how the LEOs experienced witnessing victims demonstrate resilience during adversity and how they themselves were impacted by that experience. A phenomenological methodology and semi-structured interviews were used to explore the participants' experiences. Constructivist self-development theory and vicarious resilience were the conceptual frameworks used to explain how LEOs experience vicarious trauma and vicarious resilience. Phenomenological analysis was used to organize the data and assist in the development of themes regarding the nature of the participants' lived experiences. Analysis of the LEOs interview transcriptions generated 19 themes; including LEOs feel encouraged from witnessing victims' determination to live in the face of death, LEOs are motivated to reevaluate their own adversities, LEOs feel inspired from witnessing and reflecting on victims' ability to survive trauma, and LEOs carry hope that future victims will be resilient. Overall, the findings indicated that LEOs experience positive experiences and personal growth from their work with resilient victims. Results of this study may be used in law enforcement training to stimulate positive social change that might improve the well-being of LEOs by providing awareness on how vicarious resilience can be used as a proactive measure in working with trauma victims.

This study investigated how therapists working with children and youth victims of interpersonal trauma (e.g. sexual abuse) are impacted by the resilience processes of their clients. Qualitative multiple case study design and thematic analysis were used to explore the research question. Four counselors working in an organization providing services to victims of trauma were interviewed and asked about how the act of bearing witness to the resilience of their clients affected their personal lives and clinical practice. The findings showed that for the participants there was an increased sense of hope and optimism, and an intense sense of being inspired by the strengths of clients as result of working with this population. To reflect about the challenges faced by clients allowed counselors to put their own challenges and strengths into perspective. In addition, they reported positive changes in their personal relationships. Further research is suggested, including further investigation about the relationship between optimism, hope and vicarious resilience processes as well as between the counseling approach adopted and the development of vicarious resilience responses. / Graduate / 0621 / 0622 / 0347 / fabianesilveira@gmail.com