The cost of caring : an exploration of the impact of vicarious traumatisation on the counsellor

Abstract

The present research investigated the impact of vicarious traumatisation on counsellors, on their interpersonal relationships as well as on their attitude of their profession as a result of their work. Due to the counsellor’s involvement in their client’s process of human growth and healing and the exposure to their client’s trauma and resulting painful consequences, counsellors’ wellbeing is, sometimes, affected. This qualitative research adopted a narrative approach and was enhanced through the use of semi structured informal interviews with counsellors as the main method to collect data. The central concern of such an approach is the understanding of human experience at a holistic level. The interview schedule used was a flexible and powerful tool to capture the voices and the various and numerous ways people use to express the meaning of their experiences. Such a methodology offered me the opportunity to reach profoundly into the counsellors’ lived experiences. The main claim for the use of narrative is that “humans are storytelling organisms who, individually and collectively, lead storied lives. Thus, the study of narrative is the study of the ways humans experience the world.” (Connelly and Clandinin 1990) Recommendations from the study include the need for more training and a deeper awareness of vicarious traumatisation to all counsellors, both novice and experienced, in view of the adverse effects. In addition, the provision of support through personal therapy, peer supervision and supervision at an organisational level is recommended as being one of the most sought after coping strategy. Further studies might also confirm this. As well, further studies might indicate how counsellors’ relatives might be impacted by the level of the counsellors’ level of vicarious traumatisation and to what extent such vicarious traumatisation could lead to positive growth to all concerned.