Trauma-Informed Self-Care Practices in Speech-Language Pathology and Related Professions

Practitioners in speech-language pathology and related fields work with clients who have experienced trauma, which can lead to secondary traumatic stress (STS), vicarious traumatization (VT), and compassion fatigue in the practitioner. Trauma-informed self-care (TISC) strategies may be one way to mitigate negative stress-related outcomes. This scoping review aims to determine what is known about TISC practices for (1) speech language pathologists and (2) related professions (e.g., education, mental health professions, healthcare). Online databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed publications that measured or described TISC practices at the individual or organizational level for professionals or trainees/training programs for SLP and related professions. Findings were screened using a two-level process resulting in 1 relevant article in the SLP literature and 26 in related professions. Meaning units related to TISC practices were extracted from each article and analyzed to develop themes. In related professions, both individual TISC strategies (e.g., stress management practice, self-care plans) and organizational strategies in training programs and the workplace (e.g., integrating self-care into professional-level policies and practice standards, creating a culture of care, and providing TIC training) are recommended to support practitioner wellbeing. Knowledge about TISC strategies for the specific discipline of speech-language pathology is limited; however, literature in related professions can offer guidance to develop individual and organizational guidelines for SLPs.