This may help - depends if it is secondary trauma (for which the evidence is poor) or workplace burnout (for which there is more evidence based interventions).

Best,

Grant

Article Vicarious Trauma, Secondary Traumatic Stress or Simply Burno...

Hi Kantha,

I ran CPD accredited workshops and retreats for psychologists in Johannesburg which include practicing mindfulness. In CPD ethical part we address and discuss the role of mindfulness in compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. Below are three research papers that I refer to in my workshop. I hope it helps.

Best

Zana

Promotion of mindfulness in psychotherapists in training: Preliminary study. Grepmair, L., Mitterlehner, F., Loew, T., & Nickelemail M. European Psychiatry, 2007 Nov, Volume 22, Issue 8: 485-489.

Preventing vicarious traumatization of mental health therapists: Identifying protective practices. Harrison RL & Westwood MJ. Psychotherapy (Chic). 2009 Jun;46(2):203-19.

A Proposal for a Mindfulness-Based Trauma-Prevention Program for Social Work Professionals. Berceli D. & Napoli M. Complementary Health Practice Review, 2007 Oct, Vol. 11 No. 3: 1-13.

P.S. The first South African conference in mindfulness is in Stellenbosch in September this year. Info: http://www.mindfulness.org.za/mindfulness2014/conference/

This is a more general answer, and I hope you find something useful in it. Reference Learning How to Learn, The Commanding Self and Knowing How to Know by Idries Shah for more information.

It is obvious that mindfulness training, under a variety of names, packages, purposes, etc. are the focus of a large portion of both applied and theoretical work. However, like most instructions (think of cooking), the order, ingredients, preparation and readiness are critical--this is very true for mindfulness training. Shah points out that especially for countries known for high rates of ADHD (Shah made the larger point; the point about which countries were identified as having significant rates of ADHD came from a talk I heard by a sociologist who made a case that, at least 15 years ago, countries who had a history of a fairly open door policy tended to have the highest rates of ADHD, where countries who had for centuries been very difficult to immigrate to had lower rates. But the points are related), which when I heard the talk, the top 3 were the U.S., South Africa and Australia. Harvard's epidemiology department has tracked the rate of mental illness in the U.S. for long periods of time, and it seems that for all the possibilities of over diagnosing, there have been as many possibilities to underdiagnnose, using the epidemiology model.

So if we accept the U.S. has attention span problems, then Shah's points are extremely relevant: that is, like cooking, you have to have the right understanding, the right person, the right time, and conduct the steps in the right order for mindfulness to accomplish what we think it will. First, we need to identify, refine and gain control over our attentional skills. Then, we need to comprehend what it is that we are attempting to do: import part of a hundreds, if not thousands of years old tradition to bend it to our needs? To achieve peace? What? Then, when we can pay attention and have contemplated our actions, we can begin to practice medidation of any form. But attention and contemplation are first. I mentioned the talk I heard because if the data haven't changed, working on attention, contemplation THEN meditation will be more difficult here and in South Africa. Definitely worth the effort, but the entire effort: not just the effort to sit still, but the effort to get to know and effectively use attention and contemplation.

Quick note: several studies have now been out for some time indicating that typical mindfulness training may accomplish minor gains: small drop in blood pressure, longer latency to anger, but that what we are doing in the U.S. is not equivalent, or close, to what individuals can achieve who have been immersed in the full context of mindfulness.

Love the reference to Idries Shah, Kelly. I just wanted to add that not all mindfulness traditios involve steps . I am especially drawn to 'non dual mindfulness' sits a little outside mainstream concepts.

In the non dual approach mindfulness capacity is understood to already be present within the individual waiting to be catalyzed by the presence of someone who has already had experience of the state of non duality - a’ primordial, natural awareness’- in which all things are understood to be connected and not separate, while at the same time retaining their individuality.

I n the non-dual orientation approach to mindfulness I taken in my practice and researchprocesses and activities are adjusted to suit individual propensities and capacities, with an inherent suspicion of systematizing and an openness to the process being intuitive and effortless.

This provides a counterbalance to the increasing emergence of packages and programs in mindfulness.

Hi.

First, you question assumes the validity of the construct of vicarious trauma. You might want to review the below studies as a starting point and those that cite it to determine whether this is in fact a viable assumption.

I have been involved in mindfulness practices for over 20 years. Have to say, that there are components that are well known but not attributed to mindfulness and other aspects that are more obscure. Bottom line -- it isn't what it is called, but is it effective to reduce stress and support you as you work on becoming the person you want to be. For example, there are components that are part of positive psychology that are part of the Vedic tradition of India. I have found Sudarshan Kriya mediation valuable, as well as cognitive practices (e.g. acceptance) to frame my work as well as the client's interest in and access to resources (including me!) - one might say that these are forms of gratefulness practice. Other areas: A regular exercise program (helps with dopamine and seretonin) (e.g. ashtanga yoga, hatha yoga), diet (including vitamin supplements), regular sleep patterns etc. These are also part of the Vedic tradition but are well known in the U.S. so do not get categorized as "mindfulness practices". There are many things that work and are well known, but the feeling that there isn't time so they aren't done (perhaps if we relabeled them, they would pique some interest - we seem to be more interested in shiny new things).

South Africa has the Art of Living, and this is a really solid source for mindfulness practices. Good value for the course cost.

Best wishes, Kathy

Devilly, G. J., Wright, R., & Varker, T. (2009). Vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress or simply burnout? Effect of trauma therapy on mental health professionals. Australasian Psychiatry, 43(4), 373-385.

Babin, Elizabeth A., Palazzolo, Kellie E. 2012 "Communication Skills, Social Support, and Burnout among Advocates in a Domestic Violence Agency" Journal of Applied Communication Research 40 2 147-166

Title: Impact of trauma work on social work clinicians: Empirical findings

Author(s): Cunningham, M

Source: SOCIAL WORK Volume: 48 Issue: 4 Pages: 451-459 Published: OCT 2003

Vicarious victimization, coefounding variables: years & personal history. Trauma area: client abuse & cancer victims

Secondary trauma symptoms in clinicians: A critical review of the construct, specificity, and implications for trauma-focused treatment

Author(s): Elwood, Lisa S.; Mott, Juliette; Lohr, Jeffrey M.; et al

Source: CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Pages: 25-36 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2010.09.004 Published: FEB 201

Lit review, mixed findings on secondary trauma. Presents symptomology and the possibility that symptoms are not specificially related to trauma.

check with the university of Haifa, Isreal. They have a lot of research into trauma & its impact on the provider (clinical person) as well as on the victim. Also, check w/the US Military. The Veteran's Administration. Both have a lot of information on just these subjects. Good luck!

http://kripalu.org/blog/thrive/2014/08/25/yoga-research-at-kripalu-the-power-of-possibility/?utm_source=Thrive&utm_medium=post&utm_content=082514SYR&utm_campaign=SYR_2014

Thanks all for the valuable input. Much appreciated!