The Ups and Downs of Everyday Direct Practice with Victims and Survivors and the Importance of Self-Care

What does a direct practice advocate do when they work with victims and survivors on a daily basis? Nora Riggs, a master level social worker explains her daily work in helping clients one-on-one including how she helps clients identify their goals based on their needs and the very real risk that she, like others, will suffer vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. Nora discussess how she recognizes when client trauma is affecting her life. She talks about how both hard work and "hope" for client recovery is most important and the advice she would give to others that do this work or want to do this work.