Title: Secondary Traumatic Stress | The Administration for Children and Families
Headings: Secondary Traumatic Stress
Secondary Traumatic Stress
What is Secondary Traumatic Stress?
Common Compassion Fatigue Symptoms
Why Secondary Traumatic Stress is Important for Human Services Agencies
Relevant Interventions and Approaches
Individual Prevention Strategies to Consider:
Organizational Prevention Strategies to Consider:
Resources for Further Learning
References

Content: Focusing on self-care – making a healthy diet, exercise, and regular sleep priorities reduces adverse stress effects. Journaling – writing about feelings related to helping or care giving and about anything that has helped or been comforting can help make meaning out of negative experiences. Seeking professional support – working with a counselor who specializes in trauma to process distressing symptoms and experiences provides additional perspectives and ideas. Joining a support group – talking through experiences and coping strategies with others who have similar circumstances can enhance optimism and hope. Learning new self-care strategies – adopting a new stress management technique such as yoga or progressive muscle relaxation can reduce adverse physical stress symptoms. Asking for help – asking social supports or co-workers to assist with tasks or responsibilities can hasten healing. Recognizing success and creating meaning – identifying aspects of helping that have been positive and important to others assists with resolving trauma and distress. Organizational Prevention Strategies to Consider: Create an organizational culture that normalizes the effects of working with trauma survivors. Adopt policies that promote and support staff self-care.