Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma are serious issues impacting professionals who work in a caregiving role. Both CF and VT can erode your ability to feel good about the work you do and impact your personal life in a way that creates a cycle of stress reactions. Researchers have discovered that helpers, when they are overtaxed by the nature of their work, begin to show symptoms that are very similar to their traumatized clients. These symptoms can negatively affect the workplace and create a toxic work environment.

• Difficulty concentrating
• Intrusive imagery
• Feeling discouraged about the world
• Hopelessness
• Exhaustion and irritability
• High attrition (helpers leaving the field)
• Negative outcomes (dispirited, cynical workers remaining in the field, boundary violations)

It is important to understand how to identify the symptoms and create a self-care plan that works for you and/or your organization.

Reach out to learn more. I would be happy to connect to discuss options aimed at supporting your organization.