Self-Care for Attorneys: Vicarious and Secondary Trauma, and Compassion Fatigue

Legal education typically lacks adequate training on trauma in practice. Demanding caseloads and long hours exacerbate the challenge to carve out time to reflect, regenerate, and practice self-care. As a result, nearly one in nine lawyers fit the clinical criteria for PTSD, with one-third suffering secondary traumatic stress effects. 

Lawyers working with trauma survivors (e.g., domestic violence, crime) are at especially high risk for vicarious trauma, which can impact performance and career continuity.

Listen as the panel discusses how to differentiate between vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue; identify early warning signs; and develop both individual and organizational strategies for resilience and self-care. This program aims to foster sustainable legal practice and enhanced well-being for legal professionals.

I. Introduction: trauma literacy and the attorney mental health landscape

II. Key concepts and definitions: vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue

III. Risk factors and warning signs

IV. Self-care and personal strategies

V. Organizational strategies and cultural change

VI. Action planning and resources

The panel will review these and other important issues:

• Differentiating and defining vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue specifically in legal settings
• Recognizing common risk factors and early warning signs
• Learning and applying evidence-based self-care techniques
• Developing practical organizational strategies for supporting attorneys
• Crafting a personalized resilience action plan to incorporate into daily practice