Vicarious Trauma and Resilience

The purpose of this course is to expand health and mental health professionals' abilities to identify and understand countertransference reactions common in work with trauma survivors, the causes and signs of burnout and compassion fatigue, and factors contributing to vicarious trauma and resilience. In addition, members of the public may use this course to enhance their personal knowledge of the subject matter presented.


Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:


1. Identify factors contributing to distress in health and mental health professionals who work with trauma survivors.

2. Discuss the importance of developing a self-care plan for trauma professionals.

3. Define countertransference.

4. Identify common countertransference reactions (CTRs) in working with trauma survivors.

5. Define compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue and its relationship to burnout and vicarious traumatic stress.

6. Identify common signs and symptoms of burnout.

7. Discuss strategies to prevent the development of burnout.

8. Define vicarious trauma.

9. Explain common causes of vicarious or secondary traumatic stress in health and mental health professionals who work with survivors of trauma.

10. Analyze the relationship between vicarious trauma and constructivist self-development theory.

11. Identify various strategies to address or prevent vicarious or secondary trauma.

12. Define vicarious resilience.

13. Identify factors that empower and promote the well-being of trauma professionals.

14. Define trauma stewardship.

15. Describe components of a self-care plan.


This 15-hour continuing education course is available for download for professional development; if continuing education credit is desired, please see instructions included in eBook.