Individual Counselling Theories
& Practice
Vicarious Traumatization
January, 2002
An inevitable occupational
hazard of counseling victims-survivors of any type or degree of traumatic event
is the transference of vicarious trauma, or the secondary traumatic
experiencing of the client’s emotional state in relation to a narrated
traumatic event. When an individual
decides to undergo a course of therapeutic treatment following a traumatic
event, they contribute to the therapeutic process a tremendous amount of
emotional turbulence.Â
Conceptually,
psychodynamic transference-countertransference sequelae provide insight only
within the context of therapists’ emotional experiencing of the therapeutic
relationship and not within the experience of change of self perception in
relation to the life-altering conditions of the client (Black & Weinreich,
2000; Dalenberg, 2000; Ruzek, 1993; Saakvitne & Pearlman, 1996). Saakvitne
and Pearlman (1996) attempt to distinguish the important differences between
countertransference and vicarious trauma while simultaneously acknowledging
that a relationship between the two exists conversely. In essence, countertransference is a
phenomenon experienced within any given therapeutic interaction and generally exists
for a finite period of time as a reaction to a specific issue or event during
the course of therapy that resonates with the therapist’s internal
experiencing. Vicarious trauma, though
closely resembling countertransference in a reactionary context, is actually a
cumulative, long-term and irreversible transformative experience that extends
across all therapy sessions with any client and influences changes both
professionally and personally (Dalenberg, 2000; Saakvitne & Pearlman,
1996).
To identify empathically
with another individual, one recognizes shared values, perceived and real
imperfections, and personal idiosyncratic thoughts or behaviors and one
attempts to collectively view the other with non-judgment and an invitation to
stretch personal growth and encourage positive future intentions as a common,
or parallel, goal. This empathic
identification exposes the therapist’s vulnerabilities and elicits coping
strategies that may not be effective when exposed to detailed recall of trauma
day to day. In turn, the therapist’s
inability to diffuse secondary stress compromises the integrity of the
therapeutic alliance by undermining the client’s need to express powerful and
provocative emotions without fear of invalidating therapeutic ….
