Secondary Trauma Awareness

Secondary trauma is a relatively common outcome for the caregivers, including teachers, who support and serve children with trauma histories. Secondary trauma occurs when the essential act of listening to other people’s trauma stories takes an emotional toll on the listener, compromises their professional functioning and diminishes their quality of life. When secondary trauma occurs, the impact and symptoms of the original trauma transfer to the helper. This course is designed to examine secondary trauma in education. Topics covered include how secondary trauma affects the brain; the signs and symptoms of secondary trauma; and strategies for supporting school staff members who are dealing with secondary trauma.