Managing stress and vicarious trauma as a helping professional

The workshop will provide a platform for helping professionals to learn about up-to-date research on adaptive coping in emotionally demanding occupations.

Key activities in the workshop include: 

• A vital discussion on the impact of vicarious trauma on helping professionals. Most trauma-informed training done in-house in helping occupations focuses solely on client support, this session will directly address the often-overlooked secondary impact on the professional themselves. 
• A dedicated space for networking among attendees who face similar professional challenges. 
• An open discussion about organisational factors that either support or hinder professional well-being and performance. This is particularly important as organisational stressors are often less emphasised than individual coping. 
• Participants will receive access to our "Preparing to Practice Training Programme," which is currently under development by a team of nurses, psychologists, and teachers. Scheduled for release by September 2025, this programme offers psychoeducation on coping in high-stress environments and introduces a fresh perspective on self-care.

The event's central theme is coping in emotionally demanding occupations with a focus on the accumulation of stress and vicarious trauma. We'll explore the research on protective and risk factors, focusing on how to bridge the gap between research and practical application. A key discussion point will be what individuals and organisations can do to facilitate this transition. Participants will also be welcomed to access and offer feedback on a new programme developed to prepare trainee professionals for future practice.

Dr Kate Whittenbury Manchester Metropolitan University

Adults, professionals

Healthcare, social care, emergency services, and education professionals