Vicarious and Secondary
Trauma and Burnout
in Foster Parents:
PREVENTION & INTERVENTION
A Training Seminar For Foster Parents of
Sexually Abused Children
© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation
Training Seminar

Based on a research project funded by
the Office of Children and Family
Services, Award 34937; Project
1044844, Task 2 through the Center of
Development of Human Services,
Research Foundation, SUNY,
Buffalo State College
© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation
Vicarious Traumatization

What is it?
– When we open our hearts to hear
someone’s story of abuse, our beliefs can
be challenged and we can be changed.
– Vicarious Traumatization is a
transformation of the helper’s inner
experience resulting from empathic
engagement with another’s trauma.
© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation
Vicarious Traumatization
Signs and Symptoms
 General Changes
– No time or energy for oneself
– Disconnection from loved ones
– Increased sensitivity to violence
– Social withdrawal
– Cynicism
– Generalized despair
© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation
Vicarious Traumatization
Signs and Symptoms
 Specific Changes
– Disrupted frame of reference
– Changes in identity, world view, spirituality
– Diminished self capacities
– Impaired ego resources
– Disrupted Psychology needs
– Alterations in sensory experiences
© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation
Vicarious Traumatization
Contributing Factors
The Situation
– Nature of the work
– Cumulative exposure to trauma material
– Social/cultural context
The Individual
–
–
–
–
–
Personal history
Personality and reaction style
Coping style
Current life context
Training and professional history
© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation
Personal Assessment
Contributing Factors
 Signs of Vicarious Traumatization
 Self-Care

– Physical self-care
– Psychological self-care
– Emotional self-care
– Spiritual self-care
– Balance
© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation
Foster Parent Lifeline
Events/Milestones in life as foster parent
Events/Milestones in personal life
© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation
Foster Parent Lifeline

By yourself or with a partner, examine the
following:
– What similarities or differences do you notice
about the professional/personal events?
– What interplay do you see among your personal
transitions and developmental milestones and the
children who have affected you?
– What hypotheses come to mind?
– Compare your two world views. In what ways
have they changed? Is that a result of your work?
Do they reflect vicarious traumatization?
© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation
The ABC’s of Addressing
and Preventing VT
Awareness
 Balance
 Connection
In 3 Realms of Our Lives
 Professional
 Organizational
 Personal

© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation
Making a Commitment to
Yourself
Professional
 Organizational
 Personal

© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation
References
Materials adapted from: Saakvitne, K. W.
& Pearlman, L. A. (1996). Transforming
the Pain: A Workbook on Vicarious
Traumatization. New York: W. W. Norton
& Company.
© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation
THANK YOU!
© 2006 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State
College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation