Vicarious Trauma and Vicarious Resilience: Thriving in Helping Professions

In this episode of Happiness on Tap, host Leann Herron speaks with Dr. Jenny Hughes, a licensed clinical psychologist and trauma expert, about the challenges faced by trauma therapists, including vicarious trauma and resilience.

They discuss the importance of community support, self-care, and recognizing the signs of burnout. Dr. Hughes shares insights from her workbook, 'Triggers to Glimmers,' which aims to help therapists lean into resilience and celebrate their wins. The conversation emphasizes the need for therapists to acknowledge their humanity and the importance of connection in the healing process.

Takeaways

• Vicarious trauma is a normal experience for helpers and healers.
• Vicarious resilience can be cultivated through recognizing positive moments in therapy.
• Therapists often carry the weight of their clients' trauma, leading to burnout.
• Community support is crucial for trauma therapists to prevent isolation.
• Self-care misconceptions can hinder therapists from seeking help.
• Celebrating small wins can enhance resilience in therapists.
• Naming and acknowledging feelings of burnout is the first step to addressing them.
• Therapists are human and deserve care and compassion too.
• Gratitude practices can help therapists reconnect with their joy.
• Connection with others is essential for emotional well-being.

🕛 Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Trauma Therapy and Vicarious Resilience

01:31 The Calling: What Drew Jenny to Support Trauma Therapists

04:41 Understanding Vicarious Trauma and Vicarious Resilience

11:09 When Healing Hurts: How Vicarious Trauma Shows Up in Everyday Life

13:40 From Triggers to Glimmers: A Journey Toward Hope and Healing

19:45 Beyond Self-Care: The Myths Therapists Believe About Their Own Healing

22:34 The Power of Community: Inside The BRAVE Trauma Therapist Collective

27:39 Recognizing and Addressing Burnout

31:54 The Power of Being Human

32:53 Where You Can Connect with Dr. Jenny Hughes

33:12 Dr. Jenny's Free Gift

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Episode Resources:

Jenny Hughes, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist, trauma expert, and founder of The BRAVE Trauma Therapist Collective. She is also the author of The PTSD Recovery Workbook and Triggers to Glimmers: A Vicarious Resilience Journal and Workbook, and specializes in practices like Brainspotting, EMDR, and Cognitive Processing Therapy.

Connect with Dr. Jenny Hughes:

Website: ⁠https://www.braveproviders.com/⁠

YouTube Channel: Jenny Hughes, PhD and BRAVE Providers

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BRAVEproviders⁠

 Instagram ⁠instagram.com/braveproviders⁠

 TikTok ⁠tiktok.com/@braveproviders⁠

 Facebook ⁠facebook.com/braveproviders⁠

  

⁠About your host:⁠

Leann Herron is a Certified Life and Holistic Health Coach who is a passionate advocate for women’s health and empowerment, devoted to helping Gen X women break free from cycles of over-giving and the stories that keep them stuck. Leann guides women to release stress, reclaim their energy, and create lives that truly fulfill them—body, mind, and spirit.

Connect with Leann Herron:

Finding Resilience with Leann

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