Growth in Context: An Exploratory Study of Vicarious Resilience in Child and Youth Care Counsellors

Abstract

Vicarious resilience describes the positive transformation and growth that helping professionals may experience through interacting with the people they support. This study explores how Child and Youth Care Counsellors experience and understand vicarious resilience. Organizational factors that may promote and/or hinder vicarious resilience were also considered. Five Child and Youth Care Counsellors from a therapeutic program for children completed the Vicarious Resilience Scale to prompt reflection and participated in a qualitative semi-structured interview. Analysis using grounded theory found that participants experienced growth in four areas: developing a trauma and violence-informed perspective, relational engagement, a toolbox of skills, and hope and inspiration from clients. These experiences of growth were mediated by reflective practice and influenced by the support provided by the organization, which was impacted by systemic and situational barriers. Having specific language to describe positive growth in helping professionals may be significant as a foundation for individual and collective reflection.