You are not broken. You are absorbing what is too much for one heart to carry alone.
Dear Colleague,
Vicarious trauma is not a personal failing. It is a natural response to holding story after story of harm, survival, and resilience. It builds slowly. One session, one disclosure, one crisis at a time. And often, it shows up silently, hiding behind what looks like fatigue or frustration.
If you feel emotionally numb, irritable, avoidant, or overwhelmed, you are not alone.
This is the shadow side of compassion. And it deserves your care too.
Vicarious trauma worsens when it combines with burnout. When caseloads grow and systems fail and your own support becomes sparse, symptoms compound. Your sleep suffers. Boundaries blur. The joy in your work dims. And suddenly, what used to feel meaningful now feels like weight.
There is a path back. And you do not have to walk it alone.
Our Monthly Free Peer Support Group offers a safe space to reconnect, decompress, and feel understood among others who get it. Consider setting firmer boundaries around session hours or intake limits. Make space for care that nourishes you—whether that means journaling, movement, rest, or spiritual connection.
Want to deepen your understanding of survivor-centered care and its impact on providers?
Join the CE Course on DV in Relationships for trauma informed education that honors both survivor safety and provider sustainability.
With appreciation for all you do,
#vicaroustrauma #providerburnout #supportsurvivors #reflectivepractice #traumainformedcare