Anita Wacker

Therapists' Art and Trauma: How Therapists Become Aware of 'infectious Trauma' Through Art and Manage It Anita Wacker

Psychological trauma from a traumatic event is known to be 'infectious' for the witness. Clinicians who work with traumatised clients can potentially experience terror, anger and despair, causing secondary traumatic stress that can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout. So how do psychotherapists / health professionals who often carry their own trauma histories bear such fear and pain when listening empathically to traumatised clients, without feeling overwhelmed or losing hope?This book is based on a grounded theory study with eleven experienced psychotherapists. Through art therapy interventions they became aware that trauma is getting inside" unconsciously affecting their mind body heart and soul. All therapists recalled periods when their life was knocked off balance and their common concern was "how to balance the impact of the trauma?" The three-stage process model From DOING to BEING offers a unique contribution to health professionals and any people-helpers who witness trauma. It highlights the need for awareness and self-care reveals organisational stress impact discusses early warning signs and effective strategies to manage 'infectious trauma'."