Trainer: Amy Staley
On-Demand: Available with lifetime access for asynchronous learning. | This course was recorded on May 22, 2024.
How are you safeguarding your well-being while caring for others? The Vicarious Trauma course, led by Amy Staley, LCSW, is designed to help therapists recognize and manage the often-overlooked impact of being regularly exposed to trauma. This course dives deep into understanding vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout, offering insights into how these challenges can subtly and significantly affect your mental, emotional, and physical health. You’ll learn to identify the signs and symptoms early, ensuring that you can continue your vital work without sacrificing your well-being.
In this course, you’ll gain practical strategies for building resilience and creating a sustainable balance between your professional responsibilities and personal health. From emotional regulation techniques to setting effective boundaries and seeking organizational support, this course equips you with the tools you need to thrive in your career while maintaining your passion and commitment to helping others. Whether you’re a seasoned therapist or new to the field, this course is essential for anyone committed to maintaining their well-being in the demanding world of trauma care.
Because the best learning happens when you feel safe. Ask freely, show up fully, and learn in a relational, non-judgmental environment built for practitioners like you.
Expect real case examples, clear guidance, and a teaching style that makes even complex topics feel approachable so you can confidently use what you learn in session right away.
Join a community of clinicians learning side by side, sharing real case insights and peer support so you can grow your skills with confidence alongside your peers in meaningful connection.
The Vicarious Trauma course, presented by Amy Staley, LCSW, provides an in-depth exploration of the challenges faced by mental health professionals who are regularly exposed to the trauma of others. The course begins by defining key concepts such as vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout, explaining how these phenomena are common among those who work in caring professions. Vicarious trauma is described as the cumulative impact of exposure to traumatic stories and experiences, which can lead to a transformation in the caregiver’s inner world and perceptions, sometimes mirroring the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The course delves into the signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma, which can manifest physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. For example, professionals may experience muscle tension, anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, or a loss of faith in their work or in humanity. The course emphasizes that these reactions are normal and highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing them early to prevent further distress and disruption in both personal and professional life.
A significant focus of the course is on strategies to build resilience and manage vicarious trauma. It covers emotional regulation techniques, mindfulness practices, and the importance of setting boundaries and maintaining work-life balance. The course also stresses the need for organizational support, including the creation of a supportive culture, appropriate policies, and access to supervision and peer support. These strategies are designed to help professionals maintain their well-being and continue to provide effective care for their clients.
Overall, the “Vicarious Trauma” course equips mental health professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to recognize and mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma. It encourages self-reflection, resilience-building, and the development of supportive networks, helping therapists sustain their passion for their work while protecting their own mental and emotional health. This course is an essential resource for any therapist seeking to maintain their well-being while working in the challenging field of trauma care.
Amy is a LCSW, who received her Masters in Social Work from Boston University. Amy has just under 19 years of experience in the social work field, primarily working with those impacted by trauma as well as the larger mental health system. Amy has provided direct practice, management, and directorship in a variety of clinical settings, including community mental health, behavioral health hospital, and schools. Amy utilizes a trauma informed approach not only in clinical care, but with a macro lens of the larger systems impacting the community. Amy brings a spicy energy with innovative ideas and approaches by thinking outside of traditional mental health structures, flows and processes. Amy has training experience through her professional roles as well as an adjunct faculty at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work for just under 7 years.
Introduction to Vicarious Trauma
Recognizing Vicarious Trauma
Mitigating Vicarious Trauma
Coping Skills and Resilience Building
Conclusion
This is not an EMDR training.
1 CE is available upon completion of all course material.
Trauma Therapist Institute is an approved continuing education provider. ACE and NBCC CEs are available for this course. This course is not approved for APA or EMDRIA CEs.
Participants must complete the full training to receive credit.
Trauma Therapist Institute, #1869, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 1/16/25 - 1/16/28. Social workers completing this course receive 6 clinical continuing education credits.
Trauma Therapist Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7033. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Kase & CO is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
To receive a CE certificate, participants must complete the entire course, complete the post-test with a score of 80% or above, and complete the course evaluation. You may retake the post-test as needed. Once completed, a CE certificate will auto-populate to your online account.
Please reference our cancellation policy here (bottom section of this page).