Those individuals working in a more positive work environment reported less burnout (Thompson, Amatea, & Thompson, 2014). Personal resources that are available to the professional is also a factor in burnout; personal resources can be autonomy and, cross training, (Font, 2012; Thompson, Amatea, & Thompson, 2014; Individuals who feel that their work environment is a fair and equitable and are able to find trust and positive solutions to issues are less likely to suffer from burnout (Maslach, Leiter, 2008). Other risk factors for burnout include a “large amount of work, time pressure/management, conflicting work climate, ethical/moral dilemmas, discrepancies between professional desires and the structural/organizational/legislative context” (Diaconescu, 2015, 62).
Negative effects of burnout can be a loss of friendships and support sources due to turnover in the workplace (Font, 2012). External factors such as compensation is also a factor of those affected by burnout even when workers have control over their achievement, autonomy, and opportunities in the work place (Font, 2012). When professionals begin to feel angry about job inequities and have a lack of faith in the organizations ability to do what is fair, job demands, lack of control at the job, and effort reward imbalance are warning signs to burnout (Maslach & Leiter, 2008; Awa, Plaumann, & Walter, …show more content…
Vicarious trauma “negatively impacts the clinician’s sense of self which ongoing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder such as feelings of anger, grief, rage, and terror, in addition to damaging affect to the counseling relationship” (Michalopoulos & Aparicio, 2011, 646); other symptoms may include “nightmares, intrusive thoughts, disturbing imagery, sadness and anxiety” (Dunkley & Whelan, 2006, 107). Symptoms of vicarious trauma are similar to PTSD symptoms (Adams & Riggs, 2008). There is a tendency for individuals (clients) to seek therapy when being exposed to a traumatic event and suffering from PTSD symptoms than other mental health issues and when clinicians continue to work despite suffering from symptoms of vicarious trauma, they are doing a disservice to both their clients and themselves (Harrison & Westwood, 2009; Michalopoulos & Aparicio, 2011). Vicarious trauma is negative response and affects every aspect of the counselor’s life and is a direct result from working with traumatized clients (Howlett & Collins, 2014). Therapists have a tendency to appear unaffected when it comes to vicarious trauma even with a history of their own traumatic history (Howlett & Collins, 2014; Michalopoulos & Aparicio,