Field Directors

Does anyone have ideas and resources to share about helping students in practicum placements cope with secondary trauma?  We are in week 5 (of 14) and students are struggling to cope with the day after day challenges in mental health, school, and medical settings.  In addition, one student, in a community mental health placement, and her supervisor found a client who was dead by suicide (the agency is providing appropriate support and we are keeping in touch with the student who did return to the placement the next day).  I want to address how social workers cope, but use words other than "self-care".  I've reached out to local MH connections, but am hoping for ideas before I teach this group on Friday afternoon.  Thanks!

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Tammy Faux
Professor of Social Work
Wartburg College
Waverly IA
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Hello all, 

I hope this message finds you well.  When I'm presenting with concerns of this kinds, I go to youtube.com to see if anyone has posted professional videos covering the these important/relevant topics.  I found a few.  Please note: 

Administration for Children and Families 

Understanding and Addressing Vicarious Trauma

YouTube		remove preview
Understanding and Addressing Vicarious Trauma Vicarious trauma can occur when we are indirectly exposed to another person's trauma through images and/or verbal or written stories. It is an occupational challenge for people working in victim services, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and human services. Individuals who experience vicarious trauma may experience a shift in world view and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. View this on YouTube >

You might find some wonderful resources on the NASW Youtube.com page.

 National Association of Social Workers

YouTube		remove preview
National Association of Social Workers The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards for social workers, and to advance sound social policies. View this on YouTube >

NASW has filled their page with information, training, discussion around topics of interest for social workers.  I hope this information is helpful to all.  Take care...Karen

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Karen E Edmond, LMSW
Interim Director of Practicum Education
Charter Oak State College
New Britain CT
5605153895
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Hello,

We have started to require all of our students to read Trauma Stewardship by van Dernoot Lipsky and Buck.  We require this at the BSW and MSW level.  We then have discussions in seminar to process and reinforce the content.  We've received a lot of positive feedback from students.

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CJ Sorenson
Director of Field Education
Utah State University
Logan UT
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Original Message:
Sent: Feb 08, 2024 10:23
From: Karen E Edmond
Subject: Helping Students Cope with Secondary Trauma

Hello all, 

I hope this message finds you well.  When I'm presenting with concerns of this kinds, I go to youtube.com to see if anyone has posted professional videos covering the these important/relevant topics.  I found a few.  Please note: 

Administration for Children and Families 

Understanding and Addressing Vicarious Trauma

YouTube		remove preview
Understanding and Addressing Vicarious Trauma Vicarious trauma can occur when we are indirectly exposed to another person's trauma through images and/or verbal or written stories. It is an occupational challenge for people working in victim services, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and human services. Individuals who experience vicarious trauma may experience a shift in world view and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. View this on YouTube >

You might find some wonderful resources on the NASW Youtube.com page.

 National Association of Social Workers

YouTube		remove preview
National Association of Social Workers The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards for social workers, and to advance sound social policies. View this on YouTube >

NASW has filled their page with information, training, discussion around topics of interest for social workers.  I hope this information is helpful to all.  Take care...Karen

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Karen E Edmond, LMSW
Interim Director of Practicum Education
Charter Oak State College
New Britain CT
5605153895
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Hi, 

This is a critical issue that we discuss across various classes and build into our learning agreements. I would highly recommend the following resources:

1. The Age of Overwhelm: Strategies for the Long Haul by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky
2. Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky and Connie Burk

I have used Trauma Stewardship in my MSW seminar in book club format, i.e. we all read a chapter at a time and one student develops discussion questions to bring to the small group each week and we reflect on relation to practicum and our work in the short and long-term. Her TED TALK is also valuable and I build it into courses and recommend her website which offers additional resources, including podcasts that I share with students. I have found her approach to secondary trauma - on an individual, organizational, and system's level - to be very accessible and applicable in our day to day practice. Students love it!

Best

KAT

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Katharina Werner
Director of Field Education
University of Montana
Missoula MT
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Original Message:
Sent: Feb 08, 2024 10:23
From: Karen E Edmond
Subject: Helping Students Cope with Secondary Trauma

Hello all, 

I hope this message finds you well.  When I'm presenting with concerns of this kinds, I go to youtube.com to see if anyone has posted professional videos covering the these important/relevant topics.  I found a few.  Please note: 

Administration for Children and Families 

Understanding and Addressing Vicarious Trauma

YouTube		remove preview
Understanding and Addressing Vicarious Trauma Vicarious trauma can occur when we are indirectly exposed to another person's trauma through images and/or verbal or written stories. It is an occupational challenge for people working in victim services, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and human services. Individuals who experience vicarious trauma may experience a shift in world view and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. View this on YouTube >

You might find some wonderful resources on the NASW Youtube.com page.

 National Association of Social Workers

YouTube		remove preview
National Association of Social Workers The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards for social workers, and to advance sound social policies. View this on YouTube >

NASW has filled their page with information, training, discussion around topics of interest for social workers.  I hope this information is helpful to all.  Take care...Karen

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Karen E Edmond, LMSW
Interim Director of Practicum Education
Charter Oak State College
New Britain CT
5605153895
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So sorry to hear what your student experienced and glad to know that faculty are providing thoughtful support. I have many materials after teaching a semester course on the subject of trauma since 2019. I have attached a chapter I use on this topic, some slides I use in class, and a journal article. I also sometimes use excerpts from a video called When Helping Hurts with Dr. Charles Fegley (2011). This video is relevant to students from multiple disciplines that could experience secondary trauma. 

Hope this helps,

Debbie Minsky-Kelly

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Debra Minsky-Kelly
Field director
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI 53140
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