Compassion Fatigue vs Vicarious Trauma: The Difference Every Trauma Therapist Should Know
From The Vicarious Trauma and Resilience Podcast · 00:13:13
Show by Dr. Jenny Hughes
What if the exhaustion you’re feeling isn’t simply burnout or a sign that you’re not coping well enough? For trauma therapists, the ongoing act of witnessing and emotionally engaging with trauma can gradually shape how we think, feel, and show up, often before we realize anything has changed.This episode explores:The subtle ways vicarious trauma can surfaceHow it differs from compassion fatigue and burnout, andWhy noticing these shifts early matters. Rather than treating vicarious trauma as something to fear or avoid.Jenny Hughes offers a more compassionate approach: learning to recognize what your nervous system is telling you and responding before the impact grows.Timestamps00:00 - What Vicarious Trauma Really Is01:13 - Vicarious Trauma vs. Secondary Traumatic Stress02:10 -Why Vicarious Trauma Isn’t a Diagnosis or Failure03:11 - The Early Signs: When It Starts to Creep In05:20 - How It Shows Up in Your Emotions & Behavior06:37 - Vicarious Trauma vs. Burnout & Compassion Fatigue 08:34 - Why We Miss the Signs 09:31 -The BRAVE Vicarious Trauma Tracker11:24 - You’re Human, Not Fragile12:10 - Finding Support in the BRAVE CollectiveResources mentioned in this episodeBRAVE Vicarious Trauma Tracker + Mini Course: braveproviders.com/vttrackerJoin the BRAVE Trauma Therapist Collective: braveproviders.com/braveBRAVE Trauma Therapists Collective: braveproviders.com
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- Vicarious Trauma, Not Burnout, What Leaders Need to Know
- How Therapists Can Stay Regulated During Trauma Sessions, with Lynn Fraser
- Why Therapist Spaces Aren't Safe
- Why Therapists Quit and No One Sees It Coming
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- Vicarious Resilience: What It Is and Why It Matters
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