Working with Victims of Crime: A Manual Applying Research to Clinical Practice

1.0 The Basics - Self Care

• Self-care is key to better service delivery.
• Workers need to take care of themselves first, if they are to effectively help their clients.
• Workers can be models of good self-care.
• Workers can choose to apply effective coping strategies (dealing directly with the problem) rather than poor coping strategies (avoidance, ignoring, "working through the stress").
• Self-care behaviours can include:
  • Self-Assessment - watch for signs of stress (numbness, feeling or being disengaged, unmanageable emotions) and strength (resiliency, supports, spirituality) (Grosch and Olsen 1994; Kottler 1999; Maslach and Leiter, 1997; Pearlman 1999);
  • using effective supervision from superiors and peer support from coworkers (Grosch and Olsen 1994; Kottler 1999);
  • focusing on the things that went well and areas of potential growth and development;
  • setting boundaries, both in your work and home life (Balanced life) (Grosch and Olsen 1994; Weiss 2004);
  • taking a Daily Vacation (Bryant and Veroff 2007);
  • building a balanced life (Grosch and Olsen 1994);
  • using support groups, therapy, outpatient treatment, etc. (Grosch and Olsen 1994);
  • pursuing educational and professional development activities.
• Note that your treatment model may blind you to paying attention to self-care issues (Dana 2000).
• Also make self-care a priority at the team or community level (Maslach and Leiter 1997).
• Being aware of the risks of vicarious trauma may help in preventing the problem (Daniels et al. 2007).
• Providers may find themselves trying to avoid certain clients or topics (Shubs, 2008).
• Providers may find that they overly identify with the victim and become overwhelmed (Shubs 2008).
• Providers can also look toward the strengths they gain from working with victims (vicarious resilience) (Hernandez et al. 2007).

Spend time reading on self-care and try some of the activities suggested. Ask your colleagues what they do that helps them keep their life balanced.

… Sharpen Your Axe.