Our upcoming General Meeting speakers are with El Camino Hospital’s Scrivner Center for Mental Health and Addiction Services. Brianne Baker, LMFT, is Adult Outpatient Manager and Laura Tannenwald, LMFT, is Senior Program Therapist of Addiction Services. They will talk about the impacts of vicarious trauma and what you can do about it.
The pandemic has exposed us to varying experiences of trauma, isolation, loneliness, and a lack of connection. It is important to understand how others’ trauma and experiences impact us personally, but also how we can care for ourselves in order to help care for others. Vicarious trauma is a term used to define the impact the world, people, and life circumstances have on us and how we are influenced by those we care for and support on a daily basis. Understanding this impact allows us to focus on how to use the information to promote healthy resilience in the face of challenging situations, awareness of our own warning signals, and implementation of strategies to support personal wellness that will allow us to continue to care for and support others.
Brianne Baker is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a BA in psychology and an MA in counseling psychology. For the past 20 years she has been serving her community and providing mental health and addiction services.
Laura Tannenwald holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has worked in a variety of settings including private practice, social services, adult day treatment, and hospital-based care.