Mitigating Vicarious Trauma

An Introduction for Managers

This 90-minute course builds on the introductory program content, providing an additional module to support managers and leaders to apply a risk management approach to vicarious trauma mitigation at the organisational level.

You’ll explore how trauma exposure occurs and moves through workplace systems, how stress and organisational pressures increase risk, and how unmanaged exposure can affect individuals, teams, and service quality. The course emphasises a systems-based approach, shifting the focus from individual coping to safer work design and early risk control.


You’ll gain practical insight into recognising warning signs, reducing unnecessary exposure, and embedding safer, more sustainable practices that protect staff wellbeing while supporting your organisation’s purpose.

Learning outcomes

Identify exposure to traumatic events and content as an occupational hazard.
Recognise the relationship between stress and trauma exposure and the multiple mechanisms of potential injury.
Recognise the potential individual and collective impacts of vicarious trauma.
Recognise and respond to early warning signs in yourself and others.
Identify the factors that increase the risk of exposure leading to injury.
Map the mechanisms of trauma mobility in the workplace and engage in safe information-sharing practices.
Identify opportunities to mitigate risk through improving work design and implementing effective risk control measures.
Use strategies during the workday to look after your wellbeing.

Learning journey

This program unfolds over five modules that build on one another.


Together, they explore what vicarious trauma is, how it shows up in daily work, and what supports safer, more sustainable systems for everyone.


The first four modules cover the fundamentals of safe work in trauma-exposed settings and mirror the content in the frontline worker version of this training. The final module is specific to your role as a manager.


This 90-minute e-learn will help you understand the issue and find practical ways to make work safer and more sustainable.

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Created by

Amy Nicholas

Amy Nicholas is a consultant, facilitator and researcher specialising in vicarious trauma mitigation.

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