Smith ScholarWorks Theses, Dissertations, and Projects 2009 The air that I breathe : how Buddhist practice supports psychotherapists in the midst of vicarious trauma and burnout Simone Lichty Smith College Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses Part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Lichty, Simone, "The air that I breathe : how Buddhist practice supports psychotherapists in the midst of vicarious trauma and burnout" (2009). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA. https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/1213 This Masters Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in Theses, Dissertations, and Projects by an authorized administrator of Smith ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Simone Lichty The Air That I Breathe: How Buddhist Practice Supports Psychotherapists in the Midst of Vicarious Trauma and Burnout ABSTRACT This qualitative study sought to explore whether Buddhist practice is supportive to psychotherapists at risk for developing burnout and vicarious trauma. Eleven psychotherapists, practicing within the Shambhala Buddhist tradition, were interviewed. They were asked to reflect upon the risks and benefits of their clinical work and their work environments. Participants were Masters level clinicians from a range of professional backgrounds, with caseloads including at least three individuals with a trauma history. Participants identified inspiring aspects of their work, as well as aspects of their work they find discouraging or stressful. Participants were asked how they cope with work related stressors. In addition, they were asked to discuss whether their spiritual practice helps them to cope with symptoms of vicarious trauma and burnout. All the therapists interviewed identified coping strategies related to their Buddhist practice as particularly helpful to them.