A report in the Austin American-Statesman says Texas therapists are preparing for a wave of secondary traumatic stress among social welfare workers and lawyers involved in the raid on the FLDS compound and relocation of the polygamist sect's children.

STS is an emotional malaise that strikes people working with victims of trauma. Symptoms include "anxiety, sleeplessness, nightmares and intrusive thoughts."

Terry Secrest, a 10-year veteran social worker in Austin, says she used to leave her work at the office. But her involvement in the removal of 464 children — the largest such action in Texas history — from the FLDS settlement, "has touched me a lot more than I ever expected."

Vicki Hansen, director of the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, explains that in most cases social workers understand why they're taking children from their homes. But in the FLDS case, they still don't know the details of the investigation or what led up to the mass relocation of kids across the state.

These workers are used to going into homes where things are really bad and feeling good about moving children from risk and danger. This situation is completely different. To look at the mothers and children, you would see love and affection and bonds, plus children who appear to be in good physical condition. It was wrenching to pull children away from their mothers.

Above: Social worker Terry Secrest, center and Austin lawyer D'Ann Johnson confer with Leona Steed, to find housing for Steed and her five children.