Is Secondary Traumatization a Negative Therapeutic Response?

This study aims to challenge the current conception of secondary traumatization (ST) as a pathological response of therapists working with trauma victims. One hundred two experienced therapists in both public and private practice, treating adult victims of childhood sexual abuse, participated in the study. The results support the main premise of the study; namely, high levels of posttraumatic growth (PTG) are positively associated with therapist ST symptoms, with levels of both positive and negative experiences related to exposure to the abuse in the context of therapy. These results imply that trained therapists might anticipate and process ST and other personal negative responses as a beneficial and empowering phase of therapy, thus ultimately perceiving them positively.