Secondary Trauma vs Vicarious Trauma: Understanding the Difference

Jul 22

Secondary trauma vs vicarious trauma—two terms often used interchangeably but with important differences. If you’re an educator, caregiver, therapist, first responder, or simply someone supporting a loved one through difficult experiences, understanding these two concepts can help you recognize when you need support.

At Clear View Counseling in Denver, we help professionals and caregivers manage the emotional toll of helping others. Let’s explore what sets secondary trauma and vicarious trauma apart, the risks they carry, and how you can protect your mental health.

What is Secondary Trauma?

Secondary trauma occurs when you develop trauma-like symptoms through indirect exposure to someone else’s suffering—often suddenly. For example, a school counselor may begin to feel overwhelmed and anxious after supporting multiple students who’ve experienced abuse.

It’s common in: Therapists, first responders, nurses, educators, social workers

Symptoms may include:

Anxiety or panic
Heightened alertness or sensitivity (hyperarousal)
Emotional numbing (hypoarousal)
Intrusive thoughts or dreams

What is Vicarious Trauma?

Vicarious trauma is a deeper, cumulative effect of regularly witnessing or hearing about trauma over time. It changes how you see the world—and yourself. For example, a social worker may start to question the goodness of people after years of working with survivors of exploitation.

Impacts may include:

A shift in your worldview
Loss of trust in others or systems
Cynicism or emotional withdrawal
Compassion fatigue

Secondary Trauma vs. Vicarious Trauma: Key Differences

  
      Aspect
      Secondary Trauma
      Vicarious Trauma
    
      Nature
      Stress reaction
      Cognitive shift
    
      Onset
      Sudden, short-term
      Gradual, long-term
    
      Impact
      Emotional symptoms
      Changes in worldview
    
      Recovery
      Faster with support
      Requires deeper healing

Understanding the distinction can help you get the right kind of support at the right time.

Who Is at Risk?

You might be at risk if you’re:

A therapist, nurse, educator, or social worker
A family member supporting a trauma survivor
A volunteer in a crisis or emergency setting

If you find yourself exhausted, emotionally disconnected, or questioning your sense of purpose, it might be time to seek support.

How Clear View Counseling Can Help

We provide:

Trauma-informed therapy tailored to individuals experiencing either secondary or vicarious trauma
Online support groups for caregivers, educators, and helpers
Practical tools for resilience and boundary-setting
Personalized treatment plans to help you prevent or stop burnout

Whether you need space to process or want to build long-term strategies for sustainability, we’re here to walk beside you.

How to Protect Yourself from Secondary and Vicarious Trauma

Practice self-awareness—check in with yourself often
Prioritize regular peer consultation or supervision
Engage in daily self-care and mindfulness practices
Seek professional support before burnout sets in

You don’t have to wait until you're at your breaking point.

Take the Next Step Toward Healing

If you’re starting to feel the weight of others’ pain more than your own joy, it’s time to reach out.

Email us at hello@clearviewcounselingdenver.com or book a call through our website to explore how we can support you or your team.

You're not alone—and you deserve the same care you offer so freely to others.

Kim Johancen