Caring deeply is not the problem. Carrying it all alone might be. Dear Colleague, You listen to trauma stories every day. You hold space for grief, fear, rage, and despair. You try to be present, steady, and safe. And some days, that gets harder. That heaviness you feel? It is not burnout. It is compassion […]
When Empathy Feels Heavy: Signs You’re Carrying Too Much Read More »
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,
Caring Comes at a Cost: Vicarious Trauma in Survivor Work Read More »
Some days, helping survivors will confront parts of you that you have not healed yet. Dear Colleague, Working with survivors often surfaces your own unprocessed wounds. Even the most seasoned provider can feel caught off guard by an emotional reaction. These reactions may come from past personal trauma, grief, or even early professional burnout. No
The Thing Nobody Tells You About Helping Survivors Read More »
When you pour so much of yourself into helping others, how do you ensure there’s something left for you? Dear Colleague, Supporting survivors of domestic violence is deeply impactful, but it can also be emotionally demanding. As therapists, we’re often walking a fine line between offering compassion and maintaining the boundaries that preserve our professional
Balancing Empathy, Boundaries, and Self-Care as a Therapist in Domestic Violence Cases Read More »