The subjects of vicarious or secondary trauma and self-care for us as "helping professionals" is sometimes treated in trauma trainings as an afterthought  - an "oh, yeah, we should probably say something about that too!"

But, as airline flight attendants say, we must put on our own oxygen masks first, so we can be effective in our efforts to assist others. So, it's essential that we pay close attention to our own risks and warning signs that we may be experiencing vicarious or secondary trauma and its impacts, and be intentional about practicing good self-care.

Here are links to some good self-care resources & resources for developing/strengthening resilience:

Body work/techniques:
www.Capacitar.org - go to "Research" then "Emergency Kit" download

BrainPickings.org https://www.brainpickings.org/

Dealing with the Effects of Trauma: A Self-Help Guide (SAMHSA): http://store.samhsa.gov/produc...-Help-Guide/SMA-3717

Family violence prevention resources (The Amazing Brain Institute for Safe Families): http://www.instituteforsafefamilies.org/materials

General mental/emotional health resources:
www.HelpGuide.org

Mindfulness meditations (MARC) http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations

Resilience Scale (Devereux Foundation)
https://www.centerforresilient...nt/uploads/DARS1.pdf

Resilience/stress reduction techniques (Greater Good in Action): https://ggia.berkeley.edu/#fil...resilience_to_stress

Self Care Wheel (Olga Phoenix):
http://www.olgaphoenix.com/key...ngs/self-care-wheel/

Self-care resources and apps:   http://trauma.jbsinternational...urces.html#Self-Care

Supporting someone who is coping with trauma (clear, simple, straightforward advice for family and friends!):  https://www.mindbodygreen.com/...s-coping-with-trauma

Writing to Heal (James W. Pennebaker):
Article from Psychology Today about the basic technique: https://www.psychologytoday.co...8/expressive-writing