Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Mental Health Professionals: Implications for Graduate Training Programs

Abstract

Secondary traumatic stress (STS), which involves symptoms that mimic post-traumatic stress disorder, results from indirect exposure to trauma through caring for or working with traumatized individuals. Not surprisingly, given their frequent provision of services to trauma survivors, mental health professionals are among those at highest risk of developing STS. Accordingly, the present review sought to fill a gap in the literature by addressing the implications of STS for psychology graduate programs responsible for training mental health professionals. It is suggested that training programs can make three types of changes—curricular, environmental, and direct service related—to reduce student risk for, and enhance resiliency in the face of, STS.