Vicarious Trauma: Proposed Factors That Impact Clinicians

Abstract

This article provides an overview about vicarious traumatization (VT) seen in military (and civilian) therapists working with combat veterans. Special focus is placed on the impact of VT on therapists on personal and professional levels. In addition, 8 important factors that impact the VT symptom severity are described: (a) the number of combat veterans and severity of combat trauma assigned/seen by the therapist; (b) personal history of trauma; (c) professional trauma, including deployment/redeployment in combat zones (in Afghanistan and Iraq) to provide therapy in combat zones; (d) the perception of adequate training for working with combat veterans with Type II trauma; (e) peer supervision and/or consultation; (f) availability of social support; (g) self-care and leisure; and (h) resiliency and stress buffers.