988 in Crisis: Somatic Experiencing as a Preventive Treatment for Vicarious Trauma in Crisis Line Responders
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Authors
Rayner, Danielle
Issue Date
2025-09
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
988 , crisis line responders , somantic experiencing , vicarious trauma
Alternative Title
Abstract
The 988 National Suicide Helpline has created a bridge between individuals in crisis and formal care, as it offers a coordinated and free 24/7 low barrier service. Essential to the success of this helpline are crisis line responders (CLRs), individuals who are trained in non-violent crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, and suicide prevention. Preliminary data indicates concerning rates of vicarious trauma (VT), secondary traumatic stress (STS), and compassion fatigue (CF) reported by CLRs (Cahan, 2024; Willems et al., 2020). These statistics have raised concerns about the future of the 988 service, as VT is associated with higher rates of burnout, attrition, and absenteeism (Cahan, 2024). VT presents a complex problem for the mental health profession, as the mechanisms for its development are intrinsically linked to a clinician’s empathic attunement with a client (Rauvola et al., 2019). Evidence suggests that cognitive-based strategies may fail to fully address the physiological roots of empathy-based stress, leading to the exploration of somatic modalities as an adjunctive treatment (Kim et al., 2022). This project provides an overview of the impacts of VT on CLRs, and the potential efficacy of Somatic Experiencing (SE) as both a preventive and post-traumatic intervention. A group therapy intervention based on somatic techniques is proposed to mitigate the effects of VT, while expanding peer support networks, and providing strategies for nervous system regulation.