Course curriculum

    1. Course Description and Learning Objective

    2. About the Instructor

    1. Slide Deck

    2. The Ethical Importance of Understanding Vicarious Trauma

    3. References

    1. Evaluation

About this course

  • 6 lessons

Course Description

Vicarious trauma is a critical and often overlooked issue that affects mental health professionals who work closely with individuals impacted by trauma. This 3-hour training will explore the ethical implications of understanding and managing vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress. Participants will learn how prolonged exposure to clients’ trauma narratives can manifest in emotional, psychological, and physical exhaustion, leading to ethical concerns such as impaired judgment and diminished empathy.

The course will provide evidence-based grounding techniques to help mental health professionals cope with these challenges. Attendees will also engage in a self-care assessment and develop a personalized plan to promote long-term resilience and professional sustainability. 

By recognizing the signs and implementing strategies to mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma, mental health professionals will not only enhance their well-being but also ensure they deliver ethical, compassionate care to their clients.

This is an intermediate-level course and there are no specific prerequisites for this course. The course is open to social workers and other mental health professionals, students, and individuals interested in gaining knowledge and skills related to Vicarious Trauma. 

 Learning Objectives & Agenda

  • Identify the symptoms and ethical implications of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress in mental health professionals.

  • Utilize grounding techniques and other self-care strategies to mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma and improve emotional regulation.

  • Conduct a self-care assessment and create a personalized self-care plan to promote professional longevity and resilience.

  • Explore the ethical responsibilities in addressing vicarious trauma and how it impacts therapeutic relationships and professional conduct.

  • Understand the importance of maintaining professional boundaries to prevent secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue.

Outline (3 hour breakdown)

  • 0:00-0:05: Trainer Introduction + Learning objectives

  • 0:05-0:30: What is Vicarious Trauma

  • 0:30-0:60: Ethical Implications and Professional Boundaries

  • 1:00-1:30:Grounding Techniques and Self-care Strategies

  • 1:30-1:40: Break

  • 1:40-2:35: Creating a Sustainable Self-care Plan

  • 2:35-2:45: Conclusion & Summary

  • 2:45-2:55: Questions & Answers

  • 3:00-3:15: Closing & Evaluation



Lead Trainer

Executive Director Sharea Farmer, LCSW

Sharea Farmer is the Founder and Executive Director of RS Counseling & Wellness with over 20 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker. Her expertise in both clinical and administration has allowed her to work in the private and public sectors as an advocate for employee wellness, Diversity & Inclusion, Race Equity, and Trauma-Informed Practices. Her unique practice that focuses on empowerment and education creates transformative wellness for her clients that range from executive leadership teams to supervisors to staff. RS Wellness has developed employee resilience plans and trauma-informed care programs for state and public health agencies, as well as educational groups, both locally and nationally. Sharea received a BA in Sociology from Rider University and a Master’s of Social Work from Rutgers. She is an adjunct professor at Rutgers where she’s been teaching since 2014. She is on the World Childhood Foundation Advisory Board for a two-year term from 2021-2023. On the board, she’ll have the chance to use the Equity & Inclusion lens to determine program eligibility for funding in the area of preventing sexual exploitation and abuse of children. Sharea lives in New Jersey with her husband. She enjoys all things basketball, live NBA games, traveling, coloring, and spending time with family and friends. Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the States of New Jersey #44SC05650200

Certificates will be awarded after completion of the full Webinar and course evaluation.

Radiant Sunshine, #1403, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Radiant Sunshine maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 2/28/23 to 2/28/2026  Social workers completing this course receive 3-clinical continuing education credits. 

Find out whether your state or province accepts ACE approval.

Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP):

Radiant Sunshine has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7371. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.

Select your state to find continuing education requirements.

REQUIREMENTS BY STATE 

STATE BOARD INFORMATION

Refund Policy:   No refund will be given for the purchase of any course or webinar. 

 We accommodate persons with disabilities. Please email [email protected] for more information if disability accommodations are needed.

For more information contact: [email protected]

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