The experience of secondary traumatic stress in counselors who work with sexually abused adolescents

Date

2015-05

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Abstract

The therapeutic treatment of traumatized individuals has steadily increased over the past several decades due to natural disasters, school shootings, and the increase in physical and sexual trauma in communities across America. With this increase has also come a phenomenon known as secondary traumatic stress within the helping professions (Figley, 1995, 1999; Stamm 1995, 1999). This phenomenon, much like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, has long lasting effects that can be difficult to manage and overcome.
This qualitative study explored the effect of secondary traumatic stress on counselors who specifically treat sexually abused adolescents through interviewing counselors about their experiences and the management of secondary traumatic stress in their lives. Although the research on secondary traumatic stress continues to expand, there have been no grounded theory studies, to present, that have discussed the experience of secondary traumatic stress in counselors who treat sexually traumatized adolescents. The research findings can be utilized to increase awareness of secondary traumatic stress in counselors, aide in implementing further training and graduate school curriculum regarding secondary traumatic stress, and to promote advocacy in the counseling field regarding secondary traumatic stress in counselors.

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Rights Availability

Unrestricted.

Keywords

Secondary Traumatic Stress, Stress, Trauma

Citation