It is now widely recognized that providers in the human services and medical professions often experience specific stress symptoms as a result of the nature of their work. However, coping with this work-related stress remains largely incumbent on the providers themselves.
You care deeply about the people you serve. You value the work you do. You are aware that your caring and commitment can take a toll on your personal life and your overall sense of wellbeing. Yet, it is difficult to know how best to cope with secondary or vicarious traumatization and compassion fatigue, two descriptors for this type of stress.
Are you impacted by stress secondary to your work?
- Do you find your clients’ traumatic experiences lingering with you?
- Are you feeling angry, fearful, overwhelmed, vulnerable, withdrawn and/or distrustful as a result?
- Is the impact of your clients’ trauma negatively affecting your worldview and intruding into your personal life and relationships?
- Do you feel burned out, persistently fatigued and emotionally numb?
- Are you feeling isolated and alone?
Research indicates that the most effective response to regaining perspective, balance and resilience is being part of a peer group where you feel grounded, understood and supported in making changes that matter.
Let’s start here. Share your professional experiences and challenges with vicarious traumatization or compassion fatigue. Let’s talk about it.
