Citation

Beckerman NL, Wozniak DF. Soc. Work Ment. Health 2018; 16(4): 470-490.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15332985.2018.1425795

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Mental health counselors who provide trauma counseling to domestic violence survivors are exposed to catastrophic stories of danger, physical and emotional vulnerability. As counselors try to assess and treatment plan for and with survivors, they are often deeply affected. For some practitioners, bearing witness to these frightening narratives results in a sympathetic form of trauma known as secondary traumatic stress. This article reports on the findings from a convenience sampling of domestic violence shelter counselors (N = 11). Patterns of emotional reactions emerge as a result of two focus groups. Four themes emerged: 1) hypervigilance, 2) impact on personal life, 3) a shift in worldview and 4) methods of coping.

Language: en

Keywords

Domestic violence; secondary traumatic stress; shelter counseling