Friday

Tips for dealing with Compassion Fatigue

Early recognition of the warning signs of compassion fatigue is one of the best ways to deal with compassion fatigue.  Warning signs may include:


  • Increased irritability or impatience with clients
  • Decreased concentration
  • Feeling numb or detached
  • Intrusive thoughts and intense feelings that don't lessen over time
  • Dreams or nightmares about clients' traumas


It is important to seek help when you experience symptoms associated with compassion fatigue.  Seek assistance through supervisors and/or co-workers.  Recognize that compassion fatigue is an occupational hazard for counselors who work with clients who have experienced trauma.  It is not a sign of incompetence to have these symptoms, but a cost of caring.

Attend to your self care, whether it be increasing supervision, seeking personal counseling, and balancing your caseload so you are not working ONLY with clients who have experienced trauma.  Take care of yourself outside of work by eating well, exercising, and engaging in fun activities.

Choose Wellness!


Resources: 
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2008).  Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators.  The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, www.NCSN.org.
Figley, C.R. (1995). Compassion fatigue: Coping with secondary traumatic stress disorder in those who treat the traumatized. New York: Brunner/Mazel, Inc. 

Wednesday

Symptoms of Counselor Burnout

Burnout is a syndrome of exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy and is a serious health risk for counselors.  Burnout Syndrome is a progression process and can affect anyone!

Warning symptoms of Burnout Syndrome might include:
  • Emotional Symptoms:  Frustration, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, or excessive worrying. 
  • Mental Symptoms:  Negative attitude, confusion, boredom with work responsibilities, forgetfulness and poor concentration.
  • Physical Symptoms: Fatigue, insomnia, headaches, problems with digestion, changes in appetite, and increased use of drugs, alcohol or tabacco.
  • Spiritual Symptoms:  Loss of meaning or direction, martyrdom, feelings of emptiness or cynicism. 
  • Relational Symptoms: Depersonalization of clients, resentment, increased isolation or loneliness.


Cotton, Frances; Gilbertson, Joni; Hornsby, Mary; Raya, Shannon: Verdick, David (2000).  Counselor Burnout and Stress.  Retrieved August 8, 2012, from http://verdick.org/counselor-burnout-and-stress

Choose Wellness!

Thursday

Meditation and the Brain

A research study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in 2009, found that individuals who meditated showed more gray matter in specific regions of the brain than individuals in a non-meditating control group.  A recent follow-up study suggests that individuals who meditate regularly also have stronger neuronal connections between brain regions and less age-related shrinkage in all areas of the brain.  These results suggest that meditation may help slow down aging-related brain atrophy and positively affect the immune system (Natural Awakening, February 2012).  Practicing meditation yourself or with your clients may not only help minimize the negative impact of stressors on the body but also reduce aging-related changes in the brain.

Choose Wellness!