Title: The Connection Between Social Work and Secondary Trauma
Headings: The Connection Between Social Work and Secondary Trauma
The Connection Between Social Work and Secondary Trauma
Vicarious vs. Secondary Trauma in Social Work: What’s the Difference?
Examples of Vicarious and Secondary Trauma in Social Work
When Social Workers Experience Trauma
Signs of Secondary and Vicarious Trauma in Social Work
How to Manage, Treat, and Prevent Vicarious and Secondary Trauma
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Last Update: 02-12-2020

Content: The Connection Between Social Work and Secondary Trauma
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Social Work and Secondary Trauma
The Connection Between Social Work and Secondary Trauma
More than half of Americans report experiencing trauma, and 90% of people seeking mental health care have a trauma history. Social workers are on the front lines of the trauma fight. Their support can help survivors live meaningful lives after catastrophic events. But chronic exposure to other people’s suffering is itself a form of trauma. Social workers can suffer secondary or vicarious trauma, which may trigger burnout, stymie their ability to support clients, and trigger chronic mental health issues. Vicarious vs. Secondary Trauma in Social Work: What’s the Difference? Social workers inevitably work with people who have experienced trauma such as the death of a loved one, surviving a natural disaster, being in combat, living in an abusive marriage or family, or surviving a sexual assault. Over time, this traumatic exposure can cause social workers to experience symptoms of trauma such as anxiety, depression, and even posttraumatic stress (PTSD) . Secondary trauma is a traumatized reaction to another person’s experience.