AUSIT Webinar | 20240822 Understanding and Mitigating Vicarious Trauma among Interpreters and Translators

Vicarious Trauma is an occupational hazard for many helping professions. It results in negative impact to the professional’s belief system when they are repeatedly exposed to other people’s trauma. But interpreters and translators seem to be a forgotten cohort in the equation, while they play a critical role in facilitating the communication between these professionals and their clients. Having to cognitively process other people’s traumatic stories and convey them into the target language is not the same as simply hearing or watching sad stories. This webinar will feature two presentations, each offering a unique perspective on the impact of vicarious trauma and effective strategies for managing it.

These presentations will cover:

What is vicarious trauma;
The impact that working with individuals who disclose traumatic events can have on you, both personally and professionally;
Strategies that individuals can use to help manage and mitigate vicarious trauma, burnout and stress;
Insights from recent Australian studies on practitioners’ experiences;
Practical recommendations from practitioners on strengthening emotional wellbeing and professional sustainability.

Dr Miranda Lai – has conducted research into vicarious trauma and self-care of interpreters and translators. Her publications on this topic include: Vicarious Trauma among Interpreters (2015), Professional Interpreters and Vicarious Trauma: An Australian Perspective (2022), and Interpreters’ Resilience and Self-care During Pandemic Restrictions in Australia and New Zealand (2022).

Sara Funnell – is a Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Refugee Trauma and Recovery Program (RTRP) and board-approved supervisor. Sarah has substantial experience working with PTSD and complex trauma. She has a strong commitment to promoting positive and meaningful change in the lives of individuals and families affected by mental health issues.