Alleviating the Impact of Vicarious Trauma 

When working with clients who are experiencing or have experienced trauma, that information can have an impact on the worker as well. This interactive training is designed to increase awareness of the signs of vicarious trauma (VT), compassion fatigue (CF), trauma exposure response (TER) and secondary traumatic stress (STS). Develop a “VT toolkit” of personal skills as well as resources and strategies that help to increase compassion satisfaction and mitigate VT, CF, TER and STS. This program will be using a variety of methods including lecture, discussion, individual and small group reflection, mindfulness based practices and humor.

Jackie Humphreys, LICSW is a therapist in private practice, treating children, teens and adults impacted by sexual abuse and other traumas, including vicarious trauma. She is the Mental Health Consultant to the Franklin County and North Quabbin Children’s Advocacy Center and to “Time to Tell”, a child sexual abuse prevention project. She serves on the board of Valuing Our Children, Athol, MA. Prior to becoming a therapist, she was the Coordinator of the Child Abuse Unit at the Northwestern DA’s Office.  Jackie has over 30 years of experience working in the field of trauma. Jackie’s passion and commitment to preventing and healing trauma is rooted in her own recovery from complex trauma, including child sexual abuse.

Samantha Staelens, MSW, LSWA, is the Case Manager for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin, Inc. Samantha is part of a multi-disciplinary team that responds to allegations of child abuse, using a model designed to reduce traumatization. Samantha coordinates follow up with children and their families, including mental health referrals, medical attention, psycho-education and support. She is a trainer for “Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse” and “Vicarious Trauma and Building Resiliency” curriculum.  In 2019, Samantha received a “Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition” and the “North Quabbin Community Coalition Bridge Builder” award for outstanding and invaluable service to the community. Samantha is also a certified mental health professional in the EAGALA model of equine assisted psychotherapy.