As a healthcare professional, you're used to being the one who holds space for others. Whether you’re a therapist, nurse, first responder, or social worker, your job often means witnessing pain, crisis, and trauma every single day. Over time, that exposure can take a toll — emotionally, mentally, and even physically.
This is called vicarious trauma, sometimes referred to as secondary traumatic stress. It's not a weakness — it's a human response to repeated exposure to the suffering of others.
Therapy for Vicarious Trauma in Healthcare Professionals
in New Hampshire, Maine, and Florida
Seeing a trauma therapist online can help you move forward!
TRAUMA THERAPY
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What is Vicarious Trauma?
Vicarious trauma or secondary trauma is the internal impact of engaging empathetically with others who are in distress. When you listen to trauma stories, respond to crises, or support individuals through grief, you may begin to experience symptoms that mirror PTSD — even though the events didn’t happen to you directly.
Common symptoms of vicarious trauma include:
Emotional exhaustion or compassion fatigue
Feeling numb or disconnected
Difficulty sleeping or intrusive thoughts
Increased anxiety or irritability
A sense of helplessness or guilt
Avoidance of certain clients, patients, or work tasks
Changes in worldview or loss of meaning
These experiences are especially common among those in helping professions. You may be so focused on the needs of others that you’ve lost touch with your own.
TRAUMA
Secondary Trauma Therapy Tailored to Healthcare Providers
I offer online therapy for vicarious trauma for healthcare workers. With lived experience and clinical expertise in trauma and burnout, I understand how easy it is to minimize your own distress when you’re surrounded by others’ needs.
In our sessions, you’ll have a confidential, judgment-free space to:
Process the emotional impact of your work
Reconnect with your own needs and values
Learn evidence-based strategies to regulate your nervous system
Rebuild healthy boundaries and a sense of self
Restore purpose and meaning in your personal and professional life
My approach draws from trauma-informed care, EMDR, and somatic practices — always tailored to your pace and what you feel ready to explore.
If you're feeling the emotional toll of holding space for others—whether you're a therapist, nurse, or caregiver—you’re not alone. Vicarious trauma can build slowly, making everyday tasks feel heavier over time. EMDR therapy is one way to process that weight, reduce emotional overwhelm, and reconnect with your resilience. And just in case you're wondering—we're going to do this in a way that doesn’t flood you or interfere with your ability to keep doing your job. You won’t have to pause your life to get relief. Over time, the intensity of what you carry will feel lighter, and the emotional weight of your work won’t hit as hard. This is about helping you stay grounded, present, and whole—while still showing up for the people who rely on you.
EMDR Intensive vs. Weekly Sessions: What’s Right for You?
When it comes to healing vicarious trauma, one size doesn’t fit all—and that’s why I offer both EMDR intensives and traditional weekly sessions. If you’re someone who’s been carrying the weight of others' pain for a long time, an EMDR intensive might give you the space and momentum to move through stuck patterns more quickly. Intensives allow us to do deep work in a condensed timeframe, without the pressure of jumping back into work mode after just 50 minutes.
On the other hand, if you prefer to go at a slower pace—especially while managing a full workload and a busy life—weekly sessions might feel more manageable and sustainable. We’ll still process the hard stuff, but with time to integrate between sessions.
Whichever route you choose, just know: we’ll do it in a way that supports your nervous system, your schedule, and your ability to keep functioning in your day-to-day life. The goal is not just to cope—it’s to actually feel less impacted over time, so your work doesn’t drain you the way it once did.
Online Therapy for Vicarious Trauma in New Hampshire, Maine, and Florida
Because I provide telehealth therapy for healthcare professionals, you can access support without leaving your home or work setting. I’m licensed to work with clients in New Hampshire, Maine, and Florida, and understand the unique needs of clinicians and front-line professionals in these regions.
Whether you’re a therapist feeling burnt out from client work, a nurse impacted by the ongoing stress of patient care, or a social worker struggling to hold emotional boundaries — you deserve support, too.
Ready to talk about it?
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Schedule your consultation to find out more about how I can help.
Meet Your Online Trauma Therapist
Hi, I’m Christina
As a therapist specializing in trauma, I’ve seen how past experiences can show up in ways people don’t always expect—through anxiety, intrusive thoughts, people-pleasing, chronic self-doubt, or feeling constantly on edge. My own personal experience with trauma has given me a deeper understanding of how layered the healing process can be.
In my work, I help people make sense of the patterns they’re stuck in—especially when those patterns seem confusing or conflicting. Often, what looks like anxiety, perfectionism, or difficulty trusting yourself is connected to something deeper. Trauma doesn’t always show up as a big, obvious event—it can be woven into the way we relate to ourselves and the world. And when we start to see the connections clearly, things begin to shift.
I bring both personal and professional experience to my work, blending evidence-based therapies like EMDR, CBT, ACT, IFS-informed work, and somatic approaches with a compassionate, down-to-earth style. My goal is to create a space where you feel supported, seen, and empowered to explore whatever’s been weighing you down—whether that’s related to trauma, anxiety, chronic stress, or patterns that no longer serve you.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether you’re carrying the impact of past experiences, struggling with constant overthinking, or feeling stuck in survival mode, I’m here to help you untangle those layers and move toward something lighter.
Trauma doesn’t have to define your present. EMDR therapy can help you process painful memories, reduce their emotional grip, and reconnect with a deeper sense of safety and self-trust. Healing is possible—and you don’t have to figure it out all at once. We’ll take it one step at a time, together.
What Are the Effects of Vicarious Trauma?
Vicarious trauma can sneak up on even the most seasoned professionals. When you're constantly exposed to others' pain and trauma — whether through listening, witnessing, or responding — your nervous system starts to absorb that emotional weight. Over time, this can affect every area of your life.
Emotional & Psychological Symptoms
Increased anxiety, irritability, or depression
Mood swings or feeling emotionally numb
Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks related to others’ stories
Difficulty feeling joy, hope, or connection
Guilt for not “doing enough” to help
Physical Symptoms
Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares
Chronic fatigue or headaches
Muscle tension or digestive issues
A sense of always being “on edge”
Trauma Symptoms May Include:
Work-Related Impact
Loss of empathy or compassion fatigue
Dreading work or avoiding certain clients/patients
Questioning your competence or role
Burnout, cynicism, or detachment from the job
Personal Impact
Withdrawal from relationships or isolating yourself
Feeling emotionally distant from loved ones
Loss of purpose, meaning, or spiritual distress
Difficulty relaxing, feeling safe, or trusting others
And more!
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Why this work matters
You might be functioning just fine on the outside—showing up to work, supporting others, holding it all together. But that doesn’t mean you’re okay on the inside. Vicarious trauma doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it shows up as quiet numbness, irritability you can’t explain, feeling disconnected from your purpose, or coming home completely drained without understanding why.
This kind of wear-and-tear builds slowly. And when your job is to hold space for others, it can feel selfish—or even impossible—to turn that care inward. But here’s the truth: doing this work isn't about falling apart. It’s about getting to show up in your life without constantly bracing yourself. It’s about feeling more like you again.
You deserve to process what you’ve been carrying. Not just to feel better—but because your well-being matters just as much as the people you care for. When you tend to vicarious trauma, you protect your capacity to connect, to be present, and to keep doing the work you care about—without losing yourself in the process.
WHERE I CAN SERVE CLIENTS AS A TRAUMA THERAPIST ONLINE
Trauma Therapist Florida
Trauma Therapist Maine
Trauma Therapist New Hampshire
FAQs about seeing a Trauma therapist online
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Yes, trauma therapy can be effectively conducted online. Virtual trauma therapy provides the flexibility and convenience of receiving support from your own space. Sessions are held through a secure video platform, allowing you to participate in therapy from the comfort and privacy of your home. Just like in-person sessions, virtual trauma therapy offers the same evidence-based techniques, such as EMDR, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and somatic approaches.
Online therapists for trauma can assist you in processing traumatic experiences, developing coping strategies, and working towards healing just as effectively in an online setting. The virtual format also offers a more adaptable approach to therapy, making it easier to fit into various schedules and locations. Whether you’re experiencing trauma-related symptoms or looking for support for PTSD, online trauma therapy can create a safe and effective space to address your needs and aid your recovery journey.
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Vicarious trauma refers to the gradual, long-term impact of being exposed to others’ trauma, often causing shifts in a healthcare professional’s worldview, sense of safety, or trust. Secondary traumatic stress is more immediate and includes PTSD-like symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, or emotional distress after hearing about someone else’s trauma. Both can affect therapists, nurses, and first responders, and therapy can help with recovery.
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You might notice symptoms like irritability, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, emotional numbness, or feeling detached from work or loved ones. If you feel emotionally overwhelmed by your job or find yourself avoiding patients or clients, vicarious trauma may be the cause.
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Burnout is typically caused by chronic workplace stress, while vicarious trauma comes specifically from repeated exposure to others’ suffering or trauma. Many healthcare workers experience both, and therapy can help address each in different ways.
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Yes. Therapists, especially those who work with trauma survivors, are at high risk for vicarious trauma due to ongoing empathic engagement. Without proper support, it can affect their emotional health, relationships, and professional satisfaction.
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Online therapy can be a highly effective option for managing PTSD, offering many benefits while addressing some unique challenges. Here’s how online therapy measures up for PTSD treatment:
Flexibility: Online therapy provides the convenience of attending sessions from your home, which can reduce the stress of commuting and make it easier to stick with a treatment plan.
Accessibility: It expands access to specialized therapists trained in PTSD treatment, even if you live in an area with limited local options.
Privacy: The virtual setting can offer a safe space to discuss sensitive issues, often with enhanced confidentiality compared to in-person settings.
Effective Techniques: Evidence-based therapies for PTSD, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and trauma-informed care, are successfully delivered online. These methods can help process traumatic memories and reduce symptoms effectively.
However, the success of online therapy for PTSD largely depends on individual needs and preferences. Some people may find that the virtual format fits their lifestyle and comfort level, while others might prefer in-person interactions. It’s important to choose an online trauma therapist who is experienced in treating PTSD and to consider how the online format aligns with your personal goals and needs for treatment.
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The best types of therapy for PTSD vary depending on individual needs, preferences, and the specifics of the trauma experienced. Several evidence-based therapies have been shown to be effective for PTSD, and what works best for one person may not be the same for another. Ultimately, the most effective therapy for PTSD depends on various factors, including the nature of the trauma, personal preferences, and treatment goals.
Here are some commonly recommended therapies:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a widely used approach that helps individuals understand and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with PTSD. It includes techniques such as cognitive restructuring and exposure therapy.
Exposure Therapy: This therapy involves gradually and safely exposing individuals to memories or reminders of their trauma in order to reduce fear and avoidance. It helps process traumatic memories and decrease distress over time.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): EMDR involves processing traumatic memories by focusing on them while simultaneously engaging in guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. It aims to reduce the emotional charge of distressing memories.
Somatic Experiencing: This body-centered therapy focuses on the physiological effects of trauma and aims to help individuals release and process trauma-related tension stored in the body.
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I am licensed to offer trauma therapy online to clients in Florida, Maine and New Hampshire. If you are looking for online trauma therapy in California or Utah then check out Self emBody Therapy.
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Because it does impact you—even if you're the one who's supposed to “have it together.”
Vicarious trauma can quietly shape how you think, feel, and show up in your life. It can make you more reactive, less present, more emotionally drained, and even physically unwell. You might find yourself withdrawing, doubting your competence, or feeling numb just to get through the day.
It matters because you're human. And you can’t pour from an empty cup—at least not for long. Tending to vicarious trauma isn’t self-indulgent. It’s how you protect your empathy, your capacity to keep doing this work, and your connection to yourself. You deserve support, too.
Ready to talk about it?
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Schedule your consultation to find out more about how I can help.
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