If I’m not real, I’m Not Having an Impact’

Relationality and Vicarious Resistance in Complex Trauma Care

Bibliographic Data

ID10897086
AuthorsDelanie Woodlock (0000-0002-9398-0890, UNSW Sydney, corresponding author), Michael Salter (0000-0001-6446-9498, UNSW Sydney), Elizabeth Conroy (0000-0002-7964-3441, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University , Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia), Jackie Burke (Psychology and Consulting, Western Sydney University , Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia), Molly Dragiewicz (0000-0002-0275-2367, Griffith University)
Year2022
Volume52
Issue7
Pages4401-4417
Publication date2022-10-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe British Journal of Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0045-3102 • E-ISSN: 1468-263X
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/bjsw/bcac054
OpenAlexW4226248688
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited21

There is growing commitment to trauma-informed practice and increased recognition of risks associated with this work. However, the benefits of working with trauma-affected clients are under-studied. Drawing on interviews with sixty-three welfare, health and legal professionals in Australia, we consider the salutogenic dynamics of work with women with experiences of complex trauma. Participants articulated an ethics of care in which professionals ally with clients against abuse and violence as well as transactional neoliberal service models. We identify this approach to trauma work as a form of vicarious resistance that challenges dichotomies of vicarious trauma and resilience

Burnout · Compassion fatigue · Dichotomy · Political science · Psychological resilience · Resistance (ecology) · Transactional leadership · Welfare · Child Abuse and Trauma · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work

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