Secondary trauma refers to:

• A. Symptoms in the client following prolonged trauma
• B. Burnout from caseload management
• C. Physical injuries from workplace hazards
• D. Symptoms in the counselor arising from high exposure to client traumas

Answer: (D)

Secondary trauma is the impact on a counselor’s own well-being resulting from repeatedly hearing clients’ traumatic experiences. It shows up as the therapist’s own symptoms—such as intrusive thoughts, sleep problems, irritability, mood changes, or a changed worldview—developing because of sustained exposure to others’ trauma. This distinction matters because the focus is on the helper’s psychological and emotional reactions, not on the clients’ symptoms themselves or on physical accidents at work.

It's different from burnout, which centers on exhaustion and reduced motivation from long hours and heavy caseloads rather than direct emotional responses to clients’ trauma stories. It’s also not describing the client’s reaction after trauma, nor physical injuries from workplace hazards. Recognizing secondary trauma helps practitioners seek supervision, peer support, and self-care strategies to maintain their own mental health while supporting clients.