Experiences and coping strategies of clinical psychologists and intern clinical psychologists working with victims of trauma in the Khomas region, Namibia
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Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The occurrence of traumatic incidences is common in Namibia. Clinical and intern clinical
psychologists at times work with clients who have experienced these traumatic events
during therapy. This puts them at risk of being affected by the accounts of their clients’
experiences. There is limited research that has been conducted on the impact of working
with victims of trauma in Namibia. This research, therefore, examined the experiences of
working with victims of trauma from the perspectives of clinical and intern clinical
psychologists. The impact of trauma work and the coping mechanisms utilised by clinical
and intern clinical psychologists who work with victims of trauma were determined. The
study applied a qualitative approach together with a case study design. Eleven
participants, of which 90% were female, took part in the research and were all based in
the Khomas region of Namibia. Data were collected by interviewing the participants using
a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were transcribed, and thematic analysis
was applied for data analysis. The themes from the analysis were: the helper’s
perspectives on trauma work, responses to trauma work, risk factors, the role of empathy
in trauma work, discomfort with the limitations of the role, work and professional issues,
coping with trauma work, social support and self-care. Clinical and intern clinical
psychologists are impacted in both negative and positive ways through their work with
victims of trauma. These experiences were vicarious traumatisation, secondary traumatic
stress, compassion fatigue, burnout, compassion satisfaction, vicarious resilience and
post-traumatic growth. Institutions of higher learning should equip students with coping
mechanisms for working with victims of trauma and with therapy work in general. The
research findings will be shared and made available to the Psychological Association of
Namibia and the Ministry of Health and Social Services
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of masters of arts in clinical psychology
Keywords
Traumatic incidences, Namibia, Coping strategies, Khomas region, Trauma victims, Clinical psychologists, Experiences