Project Title: Strength Amidst Trauma Work: Investigating Resilience and Sustainability in Therapeutic Practice
1. Introduction
You are invited to take part in a research project exploring the rewarding and sustaining aspects of working as a trauma counsellor. This information sheet provides an overview of the project to help you decide whether you would like to participate. Participation is entirely voluntary.
This research is being conducted by Bravehearts Foundation and Bond University:
• Carol Ronken, Director of Research, Bravehearts
• Dr Cher McGillivray, Clinical Psychologist, Bond University
• Alissa Miller, Therapeutic Services Manager, Bravehearts
It is supported by an Expert Advisory Panel of trauma therapists.
2. Purpose of the Study
Trauma counselling is demanding work that can place significant emotional and cognitive burdens on therapists. While much research has focused on burnout and secondary trauma, less is known about the processes, practices, and strategies that make this work rewarding and sustainable.
This study aims to explore:
- How therapists experience reward and meaning in their work.
- Which organisational supports and individual strategies enhance sustainability.
- How different practice contexts shape these experiences.
Findings will help inform evidence-based approaches to workforce wellbeing, training, and professional support.
3. Who Can Participate
• Licensed therapists, counsellors, or psychologists
• Currently providing or have experience providing trauma counselling
• A minimum of 1 year experience providing trauma counselling
• Individuals over 18 years of age
4. What Participation Involves
If you choose to take part, you will be asked to complete an online survey. The survey includes both multiple-choice and open-ended questions and will take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete.
At the end of the survey, you may also elect to take part in a follow-up interview to explore your experiences in more depth. It is anticipated that interviews will be take one-hour. Participation in the interview is optional.
If you choose to skip any text question you do not wish to answer (simply type N/A in the text box).
There are no costs associated with participating in this research project or financial incentives to participate.
5. Risks and Benefits
Risks: Reflecting on your work with trauma clients can be challenging. If you need support can also reach out to your supervisor, EAP, professional body or peer support network (such as BlueKnot, Full Stop Australia), or you may contact:
- Lifeline (24/7): 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- Australian Psychological Society (member support): 1800 333 497
Benefits: Your contribution will help build understanding of what sustains trauma counsellors, with potential benefits for workforce wellbeing, policy, and practice.
6. Voluntary Participation
Participation is completely voluntary. Choosing not to participate, or withdrawing at any time, will have no impact on your employment, professional standing, or access to services. Participation in this study is voluntary, you are not under any obligation to consent and if you do consent you can withdraw at any stage and will not affect your relationship with Bravehearts, Bond University, or any other organisations involved in this research. Submitting a completed questionnaire/survey is an indication of your consent to participate in the study. You can withdraw any time prior to submitting your completed questionnaire/survey by discontinuing the survey or not submitting.
You can withdraw your consent to participate in an interview by advising the researcher verbally or via email.
7. Confidentiality and Data Storage
- All responses will be kept confidential and analysed in a de-identified form.
- No individual participants or organisations will be named in publications or reports.
- Data will be stored securely on password-protected systems for 5 years in accordance with ethical requirements.
- The University’s standard research protocol allows for the possibility that data may be retained for longer or used for secondary purposes. Data may be securely archived and potentially reused for future research in a manner consistent with ethical guidelines. This allows researchers to conduct follow-up analyses or related studies exploring the rewarding and sustaining aspects of working as a trauma counsellor, in a manner fully consistent with the ethics approval for the current project.
- All data will be stored using a Bond University-approved research data store, in accordance with the Research Data Management Policy. Data may be used in an anonymous capacity to report general results of the program in clinical settings (e.g. presented at a conference or written for a scholarly journal).
8. Results and Dissemination
Findings will be shared in academic publications, professional presentations, and reports to relevant stakeholders to add to the growing body of research to increase our understanding of sustainability in therapeutic practice amongst trauma work. A summary of findings in an aggregate, de-identified report will be published on Bravehearts website and can be provided to participants on email request.
9. Contact Information
If you have any questions about the study, please contact:
Researcher: Carol Ronken, Director of Research, Bravehearts – research@bravehearts.org.au
This study was approved by the Bond University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC Approval No. CM03604).
Bravehearts and Bond University conducts research in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans.
Any concerns or complaints about the conduct of this study should be direct to:
Bond University - Human Research Ethics Committee
14 University Drive
ROBINA QLD 4226
Email: ethics@bond.edu.au
Phone: +61 7 5595 4194
10. Consent
By proceeding with the survey, you confirm that:
- You have read and understood this information sheet.
- You are over 18 years of age.
- You consent to participate voluntarily in this study.
- You have worked in the trauma space for more than one year
