Sharevision: A collaborative-reflective expressive arts intervention to address secondary trauma

Abstract

This study examines the impact of a collaborative-reflective, expressive arts intervention on secondary trauma among mental health clinicians. Clinicians met at their workplace over a three-month period, on alternating weeks, in six expressive arts-integrated workshops. They learned a particular collaborative-reflective format called Sharevision. Clinicians also met independently using Sharevision, on non-workshop weeks. Participants completed a four-part survey on compassion fatigue (Figley, 1995 & Stamm, 1995-1998; Gentry, 1996; Baranowsky, 1996; Gentry & Baranowsky, 1998) at the onset and conclusion of the study period. Findings from the survey, transcripts of workshops, and exit interviews indicate the collaborative-reflective Sharevision model correlates to a decrease in these clinicians' perceptions and practices as related to secondary trauma. During this brief program clinicians repeated cycles of reflection and action in both expressive arts integrated collaborative-reflective workshops and their independent Sharevision meetings. Clinicians developed confidence in an active rather than passive approach to addressing secondary trauma. Participants' sense of isolation decreased as their creativity, hopefulness and community increased. Future research should address the long-term impact of this program.