Refining the PRACTICE Course for Trauma Professionals Across Organizational Roles to Enhance well-being and TF-CBT...

Burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS) are commonly experienced by mental health professionals working in the trauma field, which can have individual and organizational impacts. Protective factors against burnout and STS include using evidence-based treatment, having positive relationships, and focusing on self-care. This investigation sought to assess the impact of a self-care and relationship-care course for mental health professionals previously trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). To enhance their personal well-being, competency, and empathy for clients, participants were encouraged through didactics, interactive activities, and assignments to personally utilize the PRACTICE skills clients are taught in TF-CBT. This refined iteration of the course had a greater focus on TF-CBT competency, and included supervisor and senior leader breakout groups that addressed organizational issues. Forty-five mental health professionals (32 clinicians, 7 supervisors, 6 senior leaders) participated in the study; 41 completed both pre- and post-course surveys, 27 of whom also answered a qualitative prompt. From pre- to post-course, participants across roles reported significant increases in PRACTICE skills usage (p < .001) and significant decreases in burnout (p < .001). Participants actively implementing TF-CBT (n = 34) reported significant increases in self-reported TF-CBT competency (p = .004). Reductions in STS were observed but were not significant. Qualitative findings also described benefits from the course and highlighted some differential responses to the course based on participants' organizational roles. These results support the potential benefits for trauma professionals (clinicians, supervisors, and senior leaders) of participating in the PRACTICE course.