A career in the helping professions can be very gratifying, but over time the helper can become affected by Vicarious Trauma. Vicarious Trauma has the capacity to impact our cognitive schema or how we tend to construct our thoughts. This challenge can set the helper up to become judgmental of him/herself and others. Clients and colleagues start to be coined as abusive or offensive. We start to see ourselves as inadequate or incompetent. The symptom of being judgmental of ourselves can lead to depression. The tendency to pass judgment on others helps us to feel powerless and at the mercy of someone else’s behavior. This can lead to anxiety. While it is important at times to authentically evaluate a situation so that we can use sound judgment on how to proceed, there are times when it is equally important to refrain from passing judgment so that moving forward is less stressful and more centered.
Using sound judgment means that we ask ourselves,” What so I need to do in this situation to serve its best and highest purpose?’ Passing judgment means we make statements like, “This situation is hopeless, this person is awful and I am useless at my job.” The former suggests we have faith that we will determine how to effectively proceed no matter how upsetting any particular interaction may be. The latter suggests that we are suffering from Second-Hand Shock™ and are unconsciously engaging in judgmental behaviors as a powerful distraction from our struggle with this silent thief.
If you find yourself repeatedly passing judgment on yourself and others, you may be struggling with Vicarious Trauma. Untreated, this will rob you of health and spiritedness. Notice what you are doing and get yourself the help you deserve!
Author's Bio
Ellie Izzo, PhD, LPC, ellieizzo9@yahoo.com
Dr. Ellie Izzo has been in clinical practice for over thirty years. She developed Rapid Advance Psychotherapy, a standardized five session brief model of counseling which was presented at the American Counseling Association convention in Atlanta in 1993 and again in Honolulu in 2008. She is the author of The Bridge to I Am: Rapid Advance Psychotherapy, co-author of Day After Day the Price You Pay: Managing Your Second-Hand Shock™ and The Second-Hand Shock Workbook™. She is co-director of the Vicarious Trauma Institute and presents extensively on the subject.
Ellie conducts all phases of psychotherapy. She also serves as a Divorce Coach, Child Specialist and Team Manager in the process of Collaborative Divorce, whereby a team of professionals help a couple move through divorce respectfully, without litigating.
Ellie presents for various conferences and conventions. She hosted a call-in radio show in Phoenix and served as Self-Help Editor for a nationally syndicated trade magazine. Ellie is currently the psychology advisor for AZ Teen Magazine. She runs several ongoing groups called the Encouragers, where people meet to offer each other peace, support and acceptance.
She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, the American Mental Health Counselors Association and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and Collaborative Divorce Professionals of Arizona.
Ellie is married with children and grandchildren. Her office is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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