Vicarious trauma prevention in mental health professionals

Abstract

Vicarious trauma (VT) represents a significant occupational risk for mental health professionals who are regularly exposed to clients’ traumatic experiences. It can lead to emotional exhaustion, burnout, and reduced quality of care. In recent years, the prevention of VT has attracted growing attention, reflecting an increased awareness of the need to safeguard both clinicians’ well-being and treatment effectiveness. This review is based on studies published between 2020 and 2025, including systematic reviews, surveys, and intervention trials, which examined individual and organizational strategies to reduce vicarious trauma. Evidence indicates that mindfulness practices and structured self-care routines are consistently associated with reduced symptoms of vicarious trauma. Participation in group supervision provides not only emotional relief but also professional validation. Furthermore, interventions focused on self-compassion and emotion regulation have shown promise in strengthening resilience. On the organizational side, structured case discussions, supportive workplace culture, and fair distribution of workload play an important protective role. Research suggests that the most effective results are achieved when individual strategies are combined with systemic support. Therefore, institutions should encourage open conversations about difficult cases, provide regular supervision, and ensure access to emotional support services. Looking forward, it is essential to design and evaluate prevention programs that are flexible, practical, and sensitive to different professional settings and cultural contexts.