Week three class one

Assignment 1

Current research and literature in counseling has identified many personal factors that could impact symptom development of vicarious trauma. Such factors may include but are not limited to gender, coping skills, or unresolved personal trauma history (Stamm, 1999). Remember from the example in this week’s Introduction to the hypothetical trauma history of the chaplain. If unresolved, such trauma history could exasperate his existing vicarious trauma and ultimately weaken any therapeutic alliance he must build with the military personnel whom he counsels. This could then have a dramatic impact on the counseling process.

For this Discussion, identify three personal factors that you think are most important in contributing to vicarious trauma development. Research those factors using the Learning Resources, the Walden Library, and reputable sources on the Internet. Consider why these factors are most important and the impact they have on vicarious trauma development and the counseling process.

With these thoughts in mind: 

Post by Day 3 a brief description of the three personal factors you think are the most important in contributing to the development of vicarious trauma and explain why. Then explain what personal factors you might possess that could leave you vulnerable to vicarious trauma. Finally, explain one way you would address two of those factors to prevent vicarious trauma. Be specific and use examples to illustrate your points.

Few paragraphs Due June 12

Assignment 2

Application: Occupational Stressors

Occupational stressors are work demands or practices placed upon a trauma-response helping professional that can positively or negatively impact their cognitive, physical, or spiritual well-being. If these stressors negatively impact a trauma-response helping professional, the result could be the onset of vicarious trauma symptoms. For instance, forensic interviewers frequently hear spiritually depleting stories of crimes against children. Firemen and emergency medical technicians often work several consecutive days at a time, forcing them to be away from their families while carrying out physically exhausting work. School counselors frequently encounter apathy among parents, which interferes with their efforts to assist students and leaves the counselors feeling frustrated. Keep in mind as well that emergencies may occur outside the traditional business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., causing many trauma-response helping professionals to work additional hours under stressful conditions.

CES Students: The Assignment (2–3 pages)

Use the Media Carousel of Trauma-Response Helping Professionals to select an interview.

• Provide an analysis of the occupational stressors in the interview you selected.
• Explain the implication of these stressors on the development of vicarious trauma.
• Explain which two stressors you would find most challenging and explain why.
• Explain two ways you would address these stressors. Be specific.
• Reflect on your own work environment, and describe two occupational stressors that could impact the development of vicarious trauma and justify your selection.
• Explain two ways you would address those challenges.
• Use this week’s Learning Resources and other current literature. Be specific.

Masters’s Students: The Assignment (1-3 pages)

Use the Media Carousel of Trauma-Response Helping Professionals to select an interview.

• Identify yourself as a master’s level student on the title page of your application.
• Provide an analysis of the occupational stressors in the interview you selected.
• Explain the implication of these stressors on the development of vicarious trauma.
• Explain which two stressors you would find most challenging and explain why.
• Explain two ways you would address these stressors. Be specific.
• Reflect on your life experience, and describe at least one stressor that could impact, or could have impacted, the development of vicarious trauma and justify your selection.
• Explain two ways you could address those challenges.
•  Use this week’s Learning Resources or other current literature.

Due June 16