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Kim Seymour
Rosemont Center
2440 Dawnlight Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43211
Professional who experience either by personal experience or through hearing client tell stories of horrific situation in their lives may feel similar emotions as if the experience was their own. Professionals especially susceptible to Compassion Fatigue include emergency care workers, mental health professionals, medical professionals, clergy, advocate volunteers, and human service workers. You may be suffering from Compassion Fatigue if you feel you have lost your sense of self.
Compassion Fatigue has only began to be researched in the profession in the last several years. It shows us as professionals that there is a cost to caring and helping traumatized people, Compassion Fatigue is the emotional residue of exposure to working with the suffering, especially those suffering from the consequences of traumatic events. Professionals and volunteers who work with people, especially those suffering must contend with not only the normal stressors of work but also the feelings one feels for the suffer.
Compassion Fatigue is not burnout. Burnout is associated with the stress and hassles of your work; it is cumulative, is relatively predictable and at times easily handled. Compassion Fatigue is a state of tension and preoccupation with a client or traumatic event. It can be thought of as a secondary post- traumatic stress.
This workshop will examine the differences between burn out and Compassion Fatigue. Participants will examine their own level of Compassion Fatigue through a self-test. We will discuss signs and symptoms as well as techniques to avoid becoming enmeshed with clients. We will also discuss solutions if you feel you are experiencing Compassion Fatigue.