The road less traveled and beyond: Working with severe trauma and preventing burnout

Abstract

Working with severe trauma in the clinical field predisposes the clinician to the possible vulnerabilities caused by burnout. Clinicians working in this field, may feel overwhelmed, become symptomatic, and experience disruptions in their professional and personal relationships due to burnout. These reactions can be minimized and prevented if the clinician applies adaptive ways of coping with burnout. This paper offers practical advice on how to counteract burnout in professionals working in the helping professions, and specifically with survivors of severe traumatic experiences.