For Experts
- Currently not a diagnosis in the DSM or ICD.
- Psychological trauma that occurs following indirect exposure to a potentially psychologically traumatic event or being exposed to a traumatized person (e.g., witnessed the aftermath; learned about the trauma happening to a loved one; or as part of providing support or care to another person, either professionally or personally).
- It can be “the transformation that occurs within the therapist as a result of empathic engagement with client’s trauma experiences and their sequelae” (Pearlman & Mac Ian, 1995).
- Has been conceptualized as being exacerbated by, and perhaps even rooted in, the open engagement of empathy, or the connection with the client that is inherent in counselling relationships (Pearlman & Saakvitne, 1995b; Trippany, Kress, & Wilcoxon, 2004).
- Reflects exposure of counsellors to client’s traumatic material and encompasses the subsequent cognitive disruptions experienced by counsellors (Figlet, 1995; McCann & Pearlman, 1990; Trippany, Kress, & Wilcoxon, 2004).
For General Public
- Currently not a diagnosis in the DSM or ICD.
- Psychological trauma that can occur in people who are indirectly exposed to a potentially psychologically traumatic event (e.g., witnessed the aftermath; learned about the trauma happening to a loved one; or as part of providing support or care to a traumatized person, either professionally or personally).
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