A phenomenological exploration of vicarious posttraumatic growth experiences in therapists

Abstract

This qualitative interpretive phenomenological analysis examines the lived experiences of vicarious posttraumatic growth in therapists who work with trauma survivors. By providing an in-depth exploration of the experiences of growth and positive outcomes trauma therapists report from their work, the researcher explores and examines themes that contribute to the experience of vicarious posttraumatic growth. Illustrative quotes from participants are included to highlight the four overarching and twenty subthemes of vicarious posttraumatic growth experiences of the participating five therapists. Examining the protective factors that contribute to growth experiences and positive consequences of working with trauma survivors is an important contribution to the field of therapy that acts to provide expansive information to add to the already established literature of possible negative consequences therapists can experience through vicarious trauma. The intentions behind this study were to understand the lived growth experiences of therapists who have extensive experience supporting trauma survivors.