Intervention in suffering, relations, and secondary traumatic stress

Abstract

The article discusses the intervention process as a network of relations that triggers a symbolic exchange between the individuals receiving help and the social worker and that may produce Secondary Traumatic Stress. It shows that symbolic relations of reciprocity and giving correspond to the social issues, emotional trauma, and vulnerability of the person receiving help, and that the frequent empathetic overinvolvement and loss of professional objectivity on the part of the social workers can be detrimental to their health. The article proposes a relational intervention model for interventions and for the management of prevention projects aimed at the self-care of those professionals providing emotional support.

Keywords

• estrés traumático secundario
• intervención relacional
• modelo de intervención relacional
• relaciones
• sufrimiento social