CTC Secondary Traumatic Stress & Self-Care for Trauma Consultants

Question 1

Secondary traumatic stress (STS) in trauma consultants is BEST described as:

Accepted Answer

Trauma symptoms that emerge from indirect exposure to clients' traumatic material

Answer

Emotional exhaustion caused by excessive caseloads and administrative tasks

Answer

Burnout resulting from inadequate organizational support and supervision

Answer

Compassion satisfaction that diminishes over time through repeated client contact

Question 2

Which term was coined by Charles Figley to describe the cost of caring for traumatized individuals?

Accepted Answer

Compassion fatigue

Answer

Secondary traumatic stress

Answer

Vicarious trauma

Answer

Empathic strain

Question 3

Vicarious trauma, as defined by McCann and Pearlman, primarily refers to:

Accepted Answer

Cumulative transformation of the helper's inner world due to empathic engagement with trauma survivors

Answer

Short-term emotional distress following a difficult client session

Answer

Acute stress disorder symptoms triggered by client disclosures

Answer

Professional burnout from chronically underfunded trauma services

Question 4

A CTC who begins to feel that the world is inherently dangerous and that most people cannot be trusted after working with trauma survivors is experiencing which phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Vicarious trauma

Answer

Compassion fatigue

Answer

Burnout

Answer

Secondary traumatic stress

Question 5

Which of the following is a PRIMARY difference between burnout and secondary traumatic stress?

Accepted Answer

Burnout develops gradually from chronic workplace stress, while STS can onset rapidly from trauma exposure

Answer

Burnout affects only supervisors, while STS affects frontline workers

Answer

Burnout involves intrusive symptoms, while STS involves only emotional exhaustion

Answer

Burnout is irreversible, while STS resolves quickly with time off work

Question 6

Compassion satisfaction refers to:

Accepted Answer

The sense of pleasure and fulfillment derived from effectively helping trauma survivors

Answer

The financial compensation trauma consultants receive for their emotional labor

Answer

Client gratitude expressed after successful trauma treatment completion

Answer

The ethical obligation to provide competent care regardless of personal cost

Question 7

The Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) measures which THREE dimensions relevant to trauma consultants?

Accepted Answer

Compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress

Answer

Self-efficacy, professional identity, and clinical competence

Answer

Empathy, emotional intelligence, and professional boundaries

Answer

Job performance, client outcomes, and organizational loyalty