WHEN HELPING HURTS: COMPASSION FATIGUE &
SECONDARY TRAUMATIC STRESS OVERVIEW
Presented by Sharise Nance, LCSW, CCTP
Adjunct Professor, Award Winning Author & Entrepreneur
HandinHand Counseling Services, LLC
Vitamin C Healing
www.hihcounseling.com
www.vitaminchealing.com
Participants Will Be Able
To:
• Identify symptoms of compassion fatigue and burnout
• Identify the signs and phases of compassion fatigue and burn-out
• Identify and implement positive coping strategies for balancing personal and professional lives
BODY AWARENESS
COMPASSION FATIGUE VS BURNOUT
Compassion fatigue is the deep physical and emotional exhaustion that causes a pronounced change in our ability to have empathy for our clients, loved ones and colleagues.
Burnout: More extreme circumstances. One’s outlook on life has turned negative as a result of the impact or overload of their work. The signs and symptoms have become chronic and physical illness has developed
COMPASSION FATIGUE VS BURNOUT
VICARIOUS TRAUMA
When you have not experienced a trauma yourself, but you catch traumatic stress from witnessing and/or hearing stories of traumatic events. A person who experiences vicarious trauma may have symptoms similar to Acute Stress Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which can result in a shift in your world view and sense of meaning.
RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS• Increased irritability or anger
• Minimizing and dismissing personal suffering
• Difficulty saying no when people ask you to take on extra work
• Constantly feeling in demand or under pressure
• Lack of patience or tolerance
• Consistently struggling with being present with clients in session
• Consistently dreading meeting with clients or daydream about leaving your field
• Loss of hope (in your clients, loved ones, work)**
• You feel like a hypocrite helping people when you are barely managing yourself
• Memory and concentration lapses
• Self-medicating with food, cigarettes, drugs or alcohol
• Lack of interest in socialization or engaging in recreational activities
• Physical symptoms: persistent cold, sore throat, headaches, insomnia
• Consistently feeling unfulfilled at the end of the workday**
COMPASSION FATIGUE RISK FACTORSNEW TO PROFESSION
HISTORY OF PERSONAL TRAUMA OR BURNOUT***
WORKING LONG HOURS
LARGE CASELOADS
INADEQUATE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
COMPASSION FATIGUE PROTECTIVE FACTORS
• Lifestyle: relaxation, nourishment, connection
•Basic self-care: eat, sleep, move
•Personal healing: past losses and/or traumatic experiences
•Peer support in the workplace
•Reducing trauma input
• Take time off from being “on”
LOCUS OF CONTROL
COMPASSION FATIGUE
TRAJECTORY
ZEALOT PHASE:
•Committed, involved, available
•Ready to problem solve and make a difference
•Willing to put in extra hours
• Tons of enthusiasm and volunteering
•Willing to go the extra mile.
COMPASSION FATIGUE
TRAJECTORY
THE IRRITABILITY PHASE
• Begin to cut corners, avoid clients, colleagues, management
• Mock colleagues, clients
• Unfair talk of medical/mental health problems
• Daydream/distracted when working with clients
• Difficulty concentrating
• Distance ourselves from friends and co-workers
COMPASSION FATIGUE
TRAJECTORY
THE WITHDRAWAL PHASE
• Enthusiasm decreases
• Clients become a blur, seen as irritants vs individuals
• Complaints made at work and personal life
• Tired all the time-don’t want to talk about work or admit our profession
• Neglect family, co-workers, friends, clients and self
COMPASSION FATIGUE
TRAJECTORY
THE ZOMBIE PHASE
• Auto Pilot
• Not connected to our thoughts and feelings
• Disconnected from colleagues, peers, family and friends
• Lost compassion for clients
• Hear but do not understand, lost our meaning and value as helpers
COMPASSION FATIGUE TRAJECTORY
Pathology + Victimization=Burnout
•Overwhelmed and leave the profession
• Somatic Illness
• Symptoms are perpetual OR
Maturation+Renewal= Sustainable Caring
•Hardiness
•Resilience
•Transformation
WHAT CAN YOU DO?• EXAMINE YOUR BELIEFS AND EXPECTATIONS ABOUT
YOUR ROLE
•HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR CUP OVERFLOWING? NON-NEGOTIABLE SELF-CARE
•ARE YOU MENTALLY F.I.T?
ARE YOU MENTALLY F.I.T?
•FREE TIME/FUN
•INTERMITTENTLY DISENGAGE
•TAKE A PAUSE
Activities for Recovery From Secondary Traumatic Stress
• Label the experience of Secondary Trauma
• Deep Breathing/PMR/Yoga/Trauma Release Exercise
• Boundaries
• Journaling
• Hobbies
• Nutrition
• Consult with peers/supervisor if necessary (team care)
• Physical Movement
• Get Fresh Air
• Therapy
WHEN HELPING HURTS: UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF COMPASSION FATIGUE AND SECONDARY TRAUMATIC STRESS
• 3-5 HOUR WORKSHOP for NON-PROFITS, PRIVATE PRACTICE GROUPS, SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES
• Identify and implement Trauma informed practices (Cognitive Processing, Grounding, Deep Breathing/Relaxation and Mindfulness exercises) in daily regimens.
• Identify and implement the parallel process of healthy boundary setting and self-advocacy from practitioner/caregiver to loved ones and families.
• Implement strategies to manage highly emotional charged interactions
CALM MIND, CALM BODY, CALM SPIRIT
• The A-Z self-care journal is your daily guide to manage the day to day/situational stressors as well as the more pressing concerns that can be associated with stress and anxiety. The 26 techniques will encourage you to manage symptoms emotionally, mentally, physically, psychologically and spiritually to experience relief, clarity, satisfaction and life-fulfillment.
• www.vitaminchealing.com
COMING SOON!!!
• Are you affiliated with an organization that employs helping professionals or healthcare professionals?
• Is your organization experiencing high turnover and low staff retention?
• Is the morale in your organization suffering from overwhelmed and exhausted staff?
• www.vitaminchealing.com
WE ARE NOT EXEMPT!
• DBT INFORMED GROUPS
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Complex Trauma/PTSD
• Adjustment/Life Transitions
• Stress Management
• Time Management
• Work-Life Balance
• Parent-Child Relationships
• Life Partner & Married Couples Maintenance
• Adoptive Families
• www.hihcounseling.com
