This study aims at examining the experiences of secondary trauma and compassion fatigue among psychological counselors and psychologists. Accordingly, the study is designed as a qualitative study based on the phenomenological approach. The study group consists of a total of 14 participants, including ten psychological counselors and four psychologists. Participants were selected based on specific criteria, utilizing criterion sampling, which is a purposeful sampling method. To collect data, a semi-structured interview form was developed within the framework of the model proposed by Ludick & Figley (Traumatology, 23(1), 112–123 2016) regarding the mechanism of secondary trauma. Interviews with participants were conducted online via Zoom Meeting. The data were analyzed using Giorgi et al. (2017) phenomenological psychological method. MAXQDA Analytics Pro 20 program was employed for data analysis. The study identified six themes: subjective definition of trauma, effects of secondary trauma and compassion fatigue, reasons for difficulties in working with trauma, positive effects of trauma-related work, coping mechanisms for secondary trauma and compassion fatigue, and the needs of mental health professionals. The findings indicate that working with clients who have experienced trauma has various positive and negative effects on psychological counselors and psychologists, that these professionals try to cope with these negative effects in various ways and that they have various needs. Based on the findings, it is recommended that mental health professionals should review the effects of working with clients with trauma experiences and experts should develop psychoeducation programs in line with the needs of mental health professionals.
