Understanding Vicarious Trauma

Working with individuals who have experienced trauma can be emotionally demanding and challenging. The empathic nature of this work often means absorbing and processing the distress of those we seek to support. Vicarious trauma is a process of change resulting from empathetic engagement with trauma survivors.

In this session we will explore the different types of vicarious trauma and reflect on how it may affect individuals differently.  The session will highlight best practice approaches to managing working with people impacted by trauma promoting self-care and a supportive workplace culture as an essential part of how we support people supporting people where trauma is a feature. 

Learning Outcomes:

• Define different forms of vicarious trauma and how they might arise within our work as practitioners regularly engaging with people experiencing their own traumas
• Identify ways to create space for and move with vicarious trauma(s)
• Examine options on how to promote holistic wellness for ourselves and others as we partake in conversations involving trauma 

Facilitator: Jodie McVicar is the National Training Manager with Scottish Women’s Aid, overseeing national training and strategic partnerships across Scotland.  Jodie has previous experience working within refuge at Edinburgh Women’s Aid, and as a Trustee with Fife Women’s Aid. Jodie also has experience working within child protection, including leading CLD and assessing practice of safeguarders via the National Safeguarders Panel team with Children 1^st.  Jodie is also an accredited Safe and Together trainer, and has extensive experience of embedding training and implementation into wider systems change – particularly in relation to domestic abuse and other human rights issues.