Our work is heavy, and when we choose to address the common co-occurrence of substance use, it can feel like that weight will crush us. Fortunately, there is so much we can do to thrive in this work when we find a balance between our own vulnerability and strength.

Substance use is a complex and sensitive topic that often intersects with trauma therapy. By approaching this intersection with empathy, understanding, and a harm reduction mindset, we can help our clients navigate towards their goals while fostering growth, healing, and resilience.

The Johari Window is about self-awareness but this week you’ll see how my brain has worked to adapt this age-old technique to help you Name Vicarious Trauma and share these experiences with the people who mean the most to you.

Despite the passion you have for this work, there's an inner voice that often goes unheard — your own. It's time to shatter the silence and acknowledge a truth: trauma therapists deserve to be cared for too.

We both know there is a deeper reason you keep doing this work. For me, it's because I really do see people get better.

What’s your reason?

If you're anything like me, you loathe the term Self-Care and yet you’re told almost every day that you need it, you should be doing it, and deep down you do know that it’s necessary.

Supervision is a sacred space with trainees.

Of course, the main goal is to process cases and strengthen clinical skills, but supervision is so much more than reporting updates and being told what to do next. It is an opportunity for Vicarious Resilience.

It’s no surprise that I think all trauma therapists should name our vicarious trauma on the regular. And, if you're anything like me, you're very happy to ignore VT and burnout signs!

To get myself out, or even to prevent spiraling, I realized that I needed a better reason to check in with my VT on the regular.

As a trauma therapist, you do such important work.

I know you love your specialty, I do too! But we can’t ignore the heavy emotional toll it takes on us. Let’s also not pretend that all the talk about “just practice self-care” doesn’t get to you.

As trauma therapists, we do profound work with our clients. This is inspiring and heavy.

Did you know diversifying your income could help reduce the burden of vicarious trauma in your life?

The #1 thing trauma therapists say to me when I encourage them to remove their professional armor is, “So then how am I supposed to protect myself?!”

My response? “Maybe you don’t need to be protected!”

I know what you're thinking: "I'm a trauma therapist, I do serious work and have to be a blank slate!" What if I told you that armoring up with all your training and education is setting you up for vicarious trauma?

You know what this is like - bracing yourself for sessions, starting a minute (or few) late, knowing there are sessions you dread or finding yourself dreading all of them.

If you’re like many trauma therapists, you have likely never heard this term. You’re probably familiar with post-traumatic growth or maybe even compassion satisfaction, which are very similar to VR but not quite the same…

As a therapist, I (and we!) are trained to keep things close to the chest. However, in my work with fellow trauma therapists, I know that true healing happens when we are open and intentional in sharing about ourselves and our shared experiences of pain and trauma.