Traumatology, or the field of traumatic stress studies, has become a dominant focus of interest in the mental health field and has great relevance to community psychology practitioners and counsellors. This conceptual review paper explores the concept of trauma in relation to its impact on community workers and volunteers. It will focus on the themes of trauma and resilience as it relates to people working in the community service industry and any protective or support mechanisms that can be of assistance for these community workers/volunteers. The notion presented is that people who suffer from symptoms of PTSD and/or vicarious trauma and are engaged in community service, can develop vicarious resilience and levels of healing through witnessing the resilience of other people they are assisting, coupled with the assistance of professional help. With the correct supports in place, community workers/volunteers can positively process personal trauma experienced, while still working simultaneously with other people’s trauma.
Keywords: PTSD, vicarious trauma, altruism, vicarious resilience
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