Amy Nicholas is an Australian social worker & consultant specialising in the mitigation of vicarious trauma.

Drawing on lived experience as a trauma-exposed worker and clinical knowledge of mental health, Amy researches and provides advice on proactive approaches to managing indirect trauma exposure as a psychosocial hazard.

Observing the ripple effect of high staff turnover across trauma-exposed sectors in Central Australia motivated Amy to examine how vicarious trauma can be better managed, viewing this as integral to developing workforce capability to respond to traumatic events in the community. In 2023, Amy was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to further explore this topic.

In undertaking her Fellowship, Amy spoke with over 70 leaders and experts internationally to gather emerging knowledge and approaches to mitigating vicarious trauma.

As a social worker, Amy has worked alongside trauma survivors in roles supporting people experiencing domestic and sexual violence, individuals recovering from mental illness, young people, First Nations communities, and veterans. She recognises the privilege of this work and continues to learn from witnessing the courage, resilience and resistance of trauma survivors.

Amy holds formal qualifications in social work, counselling, youth work & narrative therapy.