THE POSITIVE TRANSFORMATION, GROWTH AND RESILIENCE OF TRAUMA PRACTITIONERS AND TEAMS - AN ‘ANTIDOTE’ TO VICARIOUS TRAUMA AND BURNOUT 

This workshop aims to orient professionals working in the field of refugee trauma, towards resilience and growth (Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth) in themselves, their teams and their agency’s workforce.

In the field of trauma counselling, there is extensive literature, research and professional training, about the negative impact of trauma work on professionals. A range of different stress responses to exposure to trauma in client work, are widely discussed. The terms ‘Compassion Fatigue’, ‘Burnout’, ‘Secondary Traumatic Stress’ and ‘Vicarious Trauma’ have become part of the vernacular of the profession.  Less embedded or attended to, but now emerging are the terms ‘vicarious resilience’, ‘post-traumatic growth’ and ‘Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth (VPTG)’. 

 While acknowledging that trauma work can be very stressful and negatively impact professionals, this workshop will focus predominantly on ‘resilience and growth’ in practitioners and teams working in the refugee trauma field. It will orient individuals to the factors which lead to transformation and growth - and to the possibility of an enriching, fulfilling and transformative professional work life. 

A brief introduction of the theory and research findings from the literature about vicarious resilience and growth (in professionals working with trauma survivors) will be followed by a series of individual, pair and small group reflective exercises, activities and discussions in this 3-hour workshop. 

Through reflective exercises and discussions, we hope to assist practitioners to better understand their own internal and external factors, as well as the organisational context and factors which promote resilience and growth, wellbeing and satisfaction in their professional role and identity. We hope this workshop will facilitate insight, awareness and clarity, which can encourage individual practitioners and teams to continue to focus on an ongoing journey of growth and fulfilment, to sustain them for longevity in their chosen profession.

Workshop run time: 3 hours