vicarious trauma
a quick reference guide for care workers and leaders experiencing vicarious trauma
This vicarious trauma waypoint is for care workers and leaders absorbing the weight of others' suffering who need a clear place to start making sense of their experience. This quick reference guide includes:
- a plain language definition of vicarious trauma
- an look at how it can impact the body, the spirit, and the work itself
- 1 reflection prompt for gaining clarity on your personal experience of vicarious trauma
- tiered guidance for moving forward with suggestions for immediate relief, longer-term support, or both
one last thing
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Join as a founding member of rōot | by dimple dhabalia at $100/year by July 1, 2026 and get unlimited access to all rōot circles, the full member library of downloadable integration guides, videos, and toolkits, and a 15% discount on other offerings — plus a signed copy of Tell Me My Story — Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self.
a note on mental health
I am not a therapist, and these resources are not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health support. If you are navigating something that feels beyond the scope of this work, I encourage you to engage with these resources alongside therapy or other forms of professional care. And if you're not sure where to start, reaching out to a mental health professional is always a worthy first step. Your well-being matters, and it's important to have the support you need to navigate what you're carrying.
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