Neuro-reciprocity and vicarious trauma in psychiatrists.

OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to briefly overview the processes of neuro-reciprocity relevant to vicarious traumatization of psychiatrists through their clinical roles.

CONCLUSIONS: High rates of trauma in mental health service users, understanding of the effects of trauma on the brain and mechanisms of neuro-reciprocity in empathic attunement suggest that psychiatrists are at high risk of vicarious trauma. Preventing vicarious trauma at an organizational level through trauma-informed approaches is of paramount importance.