The Other Traumas: Secondary and Vicarious

In this workshop we'll explore the often overlooked forms of trauma that arise not from direct experience, but from caring and witnessing. We will look at secondary trauma (the trauma of caring) and vicarious trauma (the trauma of exposure).

Secondary trauma can emerge through supporting someone experiencing primary trauma, often affecting health and care workers, first responders, and loved ones. We will explore the impact of caring roles, including compassion fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and feelings of powerlessness.

Vicarious trauma can affect anyone exposed to traumatic material - now a constant presence in our phones and daily lives. We will examine how this exposure shapes the brain and emotional responses such as overwhelm, helplessness, and numbing.

Drawing on Francesca’s experience as a historian working with traumatic material, the workshop offers both personal and professional perspectives, alongside reflective practices and tools.

At its heart, this session is about widening our understanding of…