Exploring the counselor's experience of working with perpetrators and survivors of domestic violence

Abstract

Based on notions of vicarious trauma, burnout, and countertransference, the purpose of this study was to explore the impact on counselors of working with domestic violence (DV) clients. Eighteen counselors with high case loads of DV clients participated in a semistructured interview. They described classical symptoms of vicarious trauma, and reported changes in cognitive schema, particularly in regard to safety, world view, and gender power issues. Specific challenges of DV work included changes in counseling practice to meet the unique needs of DV clients, difficulties with confidentiality, fear for clients' safety, feelings of isolation, and powerlessness. The majority reported symptoms of burnout, but used a range of strategies for dealing with their adverse effects including monitoring client caseloads, debriefing, peer support, self care and political involvement. The implications of these findings for the training of DV counselors are discussed as are recommendations for best practice in DV counseling agencies.