Trauma training, trauma practices, and secondary traumatic stress among substance abuse counselors.

Abstract

A mailed survey of 225 National Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors members was conducted to examine trauma training, trauma practices, and secondary traumatic stress among substance abuse counselors. Results indicate that most substance abuse counselors are not being prepared for practice with traumatized populations in their formal academic training, although many obtained some trauma training through continuing education activities. There is a great deal of variation in terms of counselors' practices in the assessment and treatment of traumatic stress. Last, substance abuse counselors are highly likely to be secondarily exposed to traumatic events through their work with traumatized populations, and many experience at least some symptoms of secondary traumatic stress. The experience of secondary traumatic stress is believed to contribute to turnover and may reduce the quality and effectiveness of services. These findings highlight the need to attend to the issue of secondary traumatic stress among substance abuse counselors.

The Law Is Not as Blind as It Seems: Relative Rates of Vicarious Trauma among Lawyers and Mental Health Professionals

“…It has been suggested that several professional variables play a role in the development of VT that could affect group differences, including a lack of support within the work environment, such as an absence of debriefing or supervision (Bride, Hatcher, & Humble, 2009;Sprang et al, 2011), along with inadequate formal trauma training (Adams & Riggs, 2008;Finklestein et al, 2015). While speculative, it is suggested that such variables associated with the profession of law and mental health may account for the group differences observed.…”

A Longitudinal Examination of Secondary Traumatic Stress among Law Enforcement

“…Empirical research has focused on social workers (Bride, 2007;Cornille & Woodard Meyers, 1999), substance abuse treatment providers (Bride, Smith Hatcher, & Humble, 2009), sexual assault counselors (Johnson & Hunter, 1997;Regehr & Cadell, 1999;Schauben & Frazier, 1995) and trauma therapists (Follette, Polusny, & Milbeck, 1994;Pearlman & Mac Ian, 1995). Research to date suggests the magnitude of STS is fairly consistent across different categories of treatment providers.…”

Secondary traumatic stress, job satisfaction, and occupational commitment in substance abuse counselors.

“…In addition to the negative outcomes mentioned in the previous paragraph, it has been argued that STS may adversely affect the retention of counselors and other helping professionals (Bride, Smith-Hatcher, & Humble, 2009;Figley, 1 The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 1999). Staff turnover is an ongoing concern in the human services, impacting not only the costs of recruitment and training but also the quality and effectiveness of services provided (Glisson, 2002;Knudsen, Johnson, & Roman, 2003;Vandenberg & Nelson, 1999).…”