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Vicarious Trauma: A Court Interpreter’s Usual Unwanted Companion

My posts are usually uplifting and full of positivity, but today I’m taking a moment to shed light on a very important issue that we court interpreters deal with on a daily basis.

It is vicarious trauma, and today I had my fair share of it.

I’m fine now, feeling good enough to post about it already.

Although I must admit, at one point today I felt terrible to have the LEP repeat what he said because my mind wasn’t processing it, as if it weren’t enough that he went through all he went through and then he had to sit down and recall it all over again.

I do leave my emotions at the door. However, real work in such cases starts after the assignment is over. You have to learn to protect your mental health.

I’ve developed this mechanism and it helps me do my job impeccably while keeping my mental health intact. I simply share what I’m feeling, acknowledge it and move on, and then I go for an outdoor walk or I do a short, intense workout to let all the tension out. Sometimes I cook up a storm, other times I sing at the top of my lungs. A nice shower helps, too.

What are some things you do to deal with vicarious trauma? Please share them in the comments.

Rania

rania@transpremium.com

I AM RANIA MERCHAK ANDRAOS, A CAREER MOM WITH A PASSION FOR WORDS, FITNESS & HEALTH, AND FOOD! STICK AROUND AND ENJOY THE RIDE AS YOU GET A GLIMPSE OF MY WORLD!

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