What term describes helping someone who is experiencing trauma?

The concept that best describes helping someone who is experiencing trauma is vicarious trauma. This term refers to the emotional residue or changes that occur in individuals who are indirectly exposed to the trauma experienced by others. When you support someone through their trauma, you may take on some of their emotional burdens, leading to a deeper understanding and empathy towards the trauma experience. This process can impact the helper's emotional state, where they absorb some of the distress without being directly affected by the traumatic event themselves.

Indirect trauma does not capture this relationship of emotional engagement and the sharing of trauma's impact. It's important to understand the nuances of these terms in the context of trauma work to effectively address and manage the emotional toll it can take on caregivers and supporters.