Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T05:03:28.760Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Vicarious trauma in therapists: a meta-ethnographic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2020

Natalie McNeillie  and
John Rose Open the ORCID record for John Rose [Opens in a new window]
Natalie McNeillie
Affiliation:
Centre for Applied Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, BirminghamB15 2TT, UK
John Rose*
Affiliation:
Centre for Applied Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, BirminghamB15 2TT, UK
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background:

Hearing about trauma can leave a mark on an individual, leading to a significant change in worldview that shatters their existing beliefs and is pervasive across view of self, other and the world. Individuals present with a range of symptoms that mimic post-traumatic stress disorder although the symptoms are less severe. Despite this, some individuals can experience growth through an enriched understanding of self and other. This altered perspective enables individuals to respond in ways that promote growth and positivity in their own lives.

Aims:

The aim of this review was to synthesise existing qualitative literature exploring how therapists experience working with trauma survivors.

Method:

A systematic literature search found 16 studies which were selected for review following the application of inclusion/exclusion criteria and quality appraisal. Noblit and Hare’s (1988) approach to meta-ethnography was followed.

Results:

The themes identified outline a cognitive model of vicarious trauma whereby therapists presented with cognitive, emotional, physiological and behavioural ‘symptoms’ due to marked changes in schemata following repeated exposure to trauma. The literature suggests that therapists experience growth and development alongside vicarious trauma through witnessing clients’ resilience and growth.

Conclusion:

This meta-ethnographic review suggests that the impact of working with trauma is profound and complex for therapists bearing witness to their client’s pain and concurrently, their growth.

Keywords

meta-ethnographic reviewtherapistsvicarious post-traumatic growthvicarious trauma
Type
Main
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 49 , Issue 4 , July 2021 , pp. 426 - 440
Copyright
© British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2020

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arnold, D., Calhoun, L. G., Tedeschi, R., & Cann, A. (2005). Vicarious posttraumatic growth in psychotherapy. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 45, 239–263. doi: 10.1177/0022167805274729 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baird, K., & Kracen, A. C. (2006). Vicarious traumatization and secondary traumatic stress: a research synthesis. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 19, 181–188. doi: 10.1080/09515070600811899 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baker, A. A. (2012). Training the resilient psychotherapist: what graduate students need to know about vicarious traumatization. Journal of Social, Behavioral and Health Sciences, 6, 1–12. doi: 10.5590/JSBHS.2012.06.1.01 Google Scholar
Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA: Prentice Hall.Google Scholar
Baranowsky, A. B. (2002). The silencing response in clinical practice: on the road to dialogue. In Figley, C. R. (ed). Treating Compassion Fatigue (pp. 155–170). New York, USA: Brunner-Routledge.Google Scholar
Barnett-Page, E., & Thomas, J. (2009). Methods for the synthesis of qualitative research: a critical review. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 9, 59–70. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-9-59 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bartoskova, L. (2017). How do trauma therapists experience the effects of their trauma work, and are there common factors leading to post-traumatic growth? Counselling Psychology Review, 32, 30–45. Retrieved from: https://shop.bps.org.uk/publications/publication-by-series/counselling-psychology-review/counselling-psychology-review-vol-32-no-2-june-2017.html Google Scholar
Beck, C. T. (2011). Secondary traumatic stress in nurses: a systematic review. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 25, 1–10. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2010.05.005 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bell, H. (2003). Strengths and secondary trauma in family violence work. Social Work, 48, 513–522. doi: 10.1093/sw/48.4.513 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bride, B, E., Radey, M., & Figley, C. R. (2007). Measuring compassion fatigue. Clinical Social Work Journal, 35, 155−163. doi: 10.1007/s10615-007-0091-7 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Campbell, R., Pound, P., Morgan, M., Daker-White, G., Britten, N., Pill, R., … & Donovan, J. (2011). Evaluating meta-ethnography: systematic analysis and synthesis of qualitative research. Health Technology Assessment, 15, 1–164. doi: 10.3310/hta15430 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cohen, K., & Collens, P. (2013). The impact of trauma work – a meta-synthesis on vicarious trauma and vicarious trauma growth. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 5, 570–580. doi: 10.1037/a0030388 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Craig, C. D., & Sprang, G. (2010). Compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout in a national sample of trauma treatment therapists. Anxiety, Stress and Coping, 23, 319–339. doi: 10.1080/10615800903085818 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Edwards, D. J. A. (2009). Treating post-traumatic stress disorder in South Africa: an integrative model grounded in case-based research. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 19, 189–198. doi: 10.14713/pcsp.v6i4.1052 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elwood, L. S., Mott, J., Lohr, J. M., & Galovski, T. E. (2011). Secondary trauma symptoms in clinicians: a critical review of the construct, specificity, and implications for trauma-focused treatment. Clinical Psychology Review, 31, 25–36. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2010.09.004 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Engstrom, D., Hernandez, P., & Gangsei, D. (2008). Vicarious resilience: a qualitative investigation into its description. Traumatology, 14, 13–21. doi: 10.1177/1534765608319323 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Figley, C. R. (2002). Compassion fatigue: psychotherapists’ chronic lack of self-care. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58, 1433–1441. doi: 10.1002/jclp.10090 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Figley, C. R. (ed). (2015). Treating Compassion Fatigue (3rd edn). New York, USA: Bruner-Routledge.Google Scholar
Finfgeld, D. L. (2003). Metasynthesis: the state of the art – so far. Qualitative Health Research, 13, 893–904. doi: 10.1177/1049732303253462 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Francis, R. (2013). Report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry. London, UK: The Stationery Office. Retrieved from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-of-the-mid-staffordshire-nhs-foundation-trust-public-inquiry Google Scholar
Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence. New York, USA: Basic Books.Google Scholar
Hernandez, P., Gangsei, D., & Engstrom, D. (2007). Vicarious resilience: a new concept in work with those who survive trauma. Family Process, 46, 229–241. doi: 10.1111/j.1545-5300.2007.00206.x CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hernandez-Wolfe, P., Killian, K., Engstrom, D., & Gangsei, D. (2015). Vicarious resilience, vicarious trauma, and awareness of equity in trauma work. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 55, 153–172. doi: 10.1177/0022167814534322 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hunter, S. V. (2012). Walking sacred spaces in the therapeutic bond: therapists’ experiences of compassion satisfaction coupled with the potential for vicarious traumatization. Family Processes, 51, 179–192. doi: 10.1111/j.1545-5300.2012.01393.x CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Janoff-Bulman, R. (1992). Shattered Assumptions. New York, USA: The Free Press.Google Scholar
Joseph, S., & Linley, A. P. (2008). Trauma, Recovery and Growth: Positive Psychology Perspectives on Posttraumatic Stress. New Jersey, USA: Wiley & Sons.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Killian, K. D. (2008). Helping till it hurts? A multimethod study of compassion fatigue, burnout, and self-care in clinicians working with trauma survivors. Traumatology, 14, 32–44. doi: 10.1177/1534765608319083 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Linley, P. A., Joseph, S., & Loumidis, K. (2005). Trauma work, sense of coherence, and positive and negative changes in therapists. Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics, 74, 185–188. doi: 10.1159/000084004 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lonergan, B. A., O’Halloran, M. S., & Crane, S. C. M. (2004). The development of the trauma therapist: a qualitative study of the child therapist’s perspectives and experiences. Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, 4, 353–366. doi: 10.1037/a0030388 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lu, H., Zhou, Y., & Pillay, Y. (2017). Counselor education students’ exposure to trauma cases. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 39, 322–332. doi: 10.1007/s10447-017-9300-4 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McCann, I. L., & Pearlman, L. A. (1990). Vicarious traumatization: a framework for understanding the psychological effects of working with victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 3, 131–149. doi: 10.1007/BF00975140 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2009). Promoting Mental Wellbeing at Work. London, UK: NICE. Retrieved from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph22/resources/mental-wellbeing-at-work-pdf-1996233648325 Google Scholar
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2012). Methods for the Development of NICE Public Health Guidance (3rd edn). London, UK: NICE. Retrieved from: https://www.nice.org.uk/process/pmg4/chapter/appendix-h-quality-appraisal-checklist-qualitative-studies#checklist-2 Google Scholar
Newell, J., & MacNeil, G. A. (2010). Professional burnout, vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue: a review of theoretical terms, risk factors and preventative methods for clinicians and researchers. Best Practices in Mental Health, 6, 57–68. Retrieved from: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/37aa/59deafaca845ce22843d398310df14fbf576.pdf Google Scholar
Noblit, G. W., & Hare, R. D. (1988). Meta-Ethnography: Synthesizing Qualitative Studies. Newbury Park, CA, UK: Sage.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pack, M. (2014). Vicarious resilience: a multilayered model of stress and trauma. Journal of Women and Social Work, 29, 18–29. doi: 10.1177/0886109913510088 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Paivio, A. (1986). Mental Representations: A Dual Coding Approach. New York, USA: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Pearlman, L. A., & Saakvitne, K. W. (1995). Trauma and the Therapist: Countertransference and Vicarious Traumatization in Psychotherapy with Incest Survivors. New York, USA: W.W. Norton & Company.Google Scholar
Pistorius, K. D., Feinauer, L. L., Harper, J. M., Stahmann, R. F., & Miller, R. B. (2008). Working with sexually abused children. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 36, 181–195. doi: 10.1080/01926180701291204 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Possick, C., Waisbrod, N., & Buchbinder, E. (2015). The dialectic of chaos and control in the experience of therapists who work with sexually abused children. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 24, 816–836. doi: 10.1080/10538712.2015.1057667 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Radey, M., & Figley, C. (2007). The social psychology of compassion. Clinical Social Work Journal, 35, 207–214. doi: 10.1007/s10615-007-0087-3 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Resick, P. A., & Schnicke, M. K. (1992). Cognitive processing therapy for sexual assault victims. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60, 748−756. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.60.5.748 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sabin-Farrell, R., & Turpin, G. (2003). Vicarious traumatization: implications for the mental health of health workers? Clinical Psychology Review, 23, 449–480. doi: 10.1016/S0272-7358(03)00030-8 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schauben, L. J., & Frazier, P. A. (1995). Vicarious trauma: the effects on female counselors of working with sexual violence survivors. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 19, 49–64. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-6402.1995.tb00278.x CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shakespeare-Finch, J. E., Smith, S. G., Gow, K. M., Embelton, G., & Baird, L. (2003). The prevalence of posttraumatic growth in emergency ambulance personnel. Traumatology, 9, 58–70. doi: 10.1528/trau.9.1.58.21634 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Silveira, F. S., & Boyer, W. (2015). Vicarious resilience in counselors of child and youth victims of interpersonal trauma. Qualitative Health Research, 25, 513–526. doi: 10.1177/1049732314552284 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sloan, D., Jones, S., Evans, E., Chant, L., Williams, S., & Peel, P. (2014). Implementing NICE public health guidance for the workplace: a national organisational audit of NHS Trusts in England, Round 2. London, UK: The Royal College of Physicians. Retrieved from: https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/projects/outputs/implementing-nice-public-health-guidance-workplace-2013-round-2 Google Scholar
Splevins, K. A., Cohen, K., Joseph, S., Murray, C., & Bowley, J. (2010). Vicarious posttraumatic growth among interpreters. Qualitative Health Research, 20, 1705–1716. doi: 10.1177/1049732310377457 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stevenson, D., & Farmer, P. (2017). Thriving at work: the Stevenson/Farmer review of mental health and employees [online]. Department for Work & Pensions and Department of Health. Retrieved from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thriving-at-work-a-review-of-mental-health-and-employers Google Scholar
Sui, X., & Padmanabhanunni, A. (2016). Vicarious trauma: the psychological impact of working with survivors of trauma for South African psychologists. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 26, 127–133. doi: 10.1080/14330237.2016.1163894 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (1996). The posttraumatic growth inventory: measuring the positive legacy of trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 9, 455–471. doi: 10.1002/jts.2490090305 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Post-traumatic growth: conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15, 1–18. doi: 10.1207/s15327965pli1501_01 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thomas, J., Harden, A., & Newman, M. (2012). Synthesis: combining results systematically and appropriately. In Gough, D., Oliver, S. & Thomas, J. (eds), An Introduction to Systematic Reviews (pp. 179–226). London, UK: Sage.Google Scholar
Williamson, L. M., Parkes, A., Wight, D., Peticrew, M., & Hart, G. J. (2009). Limits to modern contraceptive use among women in developing countries: a systematic review of qualitative research. Reproductive Health, 6, 1–12. doi: 10.1186/1742-4755-6-3 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Supplementary material: File

McNeillie and Rose supplementary material

Table S1

Download McNeillie and Rose supplementary material(File)
File 15.8 KB
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.