Presenter: Melinda Marasch, LCSW, Aspire Training and Consulting

Location: Human Services Network of Colorado Platform

Sign in: 8:55am MT

Class: 9:00am to 1:00pm MT

When working with people who are in the midst of personal crisis, trauma, or emotional distress, it is common to eventually exhaust yourself from vicarious trauma (also known as secondary trauma or compassion fatigue). 

Vicarious traumatic stress is now recognized as an occupational hazard of providing direct services to populations with histories of trauma. The emotional costs of caring for clients with histories of trauma can be significant, including the loss of personal and professional resiliency. 

A growing body of research evidence has demonstrated that secondary traumatic stress has the potential to erode work performance, undermine motivation and morale, and adversely impact the personal health of the practitioner.

Research in trauma, neuropsychology, positive psychology, and other disciplines identify several approaches to self-care that help mitigate stress, trauma, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and burn-out. 

Participants will learn about the impact of traumatic stress on the brain and on the body. Concepts of vicarious trauma, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout will be addressed. Finally, we will explore organizational and personal strategies that can be employed to mitigate the effects of secondary traumatic stress.

Cost: $100 chfareach  member; $145 nonmember

This session is hosted by the Human Services Network of Colorado (HSN). 

Please register by Friday, March 6, 2026, to allow time for host communications. Login details will be emailed to registered participants by the Human Services Network of Colorado.