Vicarious Traumatization

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).

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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