THE COST OF CARING Compassion Fatigue Renee Branson, MA, NCC Certified Compassion Fatigue Educator Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training

What is Compassion Fatigue? Anytime someone in the helping profession is exposed to a primary victim’s experience, that person experiences Secondary Traumatic Stress. This is normally short-lived. Compassion Fatigue is a term that refers to a helper’s reaction to long term exposure to Secondary Traumatic Stress. Left untreated, compassion fatigue can lead to a state of physical, emotional & mental exhaustion known as Burnout. Burnout can be career ending. Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training

Is it really problem? (or, “Come on, but I’m the helper not helpee!”) Those who work with child abuse survivors have the highest rates of compassion fatigue. Untreated, compassion fatigue can result in burnout, depression and anxiety. Burnout is a leading cause for helping professionals to leave their careers. In short….YES! It is a problem and YES, even the helper needs to ask for help! Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training

What makes us susceptible? Empathy/ Mirroring What makes us good at what we do, also makes us more vulnerable to Compassion Fatigue. Empathy can work for us or against us. 1. Empathic concern allows us to feel for another person; “I am often touched by the things I see happen.” 2. Empathic contagion makes us feel with a person; “I cannot continue to feel ok if people around me are depressed.” Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training

What makes us susceptible? Counter- transference Specifically, this relates to our own personal connection to our clients’/ families’ success. The Counter-transference Litmus Test What is your reaction to a clients’ setback? 1. “I wonder if there is another approach I could have used to help my client succeed?” 2. “I fail at everything I do! Why doesn’t that mom like me enough to listen to my advice!” Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training

What makes us susceptible? “Self” of therapist/ social worker/ helping professional We are always affected by our own personal situations. Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training

What makes us susceptible? Situational Factors The environment around us—everything from our relationship with our colleagues to the space in which we work—affect our resilience to Compassion Fatigue. How does it physically and emotionally feel to be at work? Do you have appropriate work space that is comfortable? Do you have the ability to seek privacy during the day? Does your team and supervisor show their support? Are you able to voice concerns and feel heard? Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training

Self-Care Planning Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Professional Organizational Personal

Assessments Intervention Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training There are no formal assessment measures at the organizational level. This makes is all the more important for management to self- assess Maintain adequate staffing levels Comfort, privacy, safety in workplace Respectful environment Team building Acknowledgement that Compassion Fatigue is an occupational hazard. Creation of agency-wide Standards of Self-Care Guidelines. Organizational

Self-Care Planning Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Professional Organizational Personal

Assessment Intervention Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Self care/ basic needs assessments-how well do you already take care of yourself? Life stress measurement- what events are going on in your life that cause stress? Stress vulnerability/ resiliency measures- identifies behaviors that influence how stress affects us. Physical self care: exercise, nutrition, adequate breaks. Self-soothing: mindfulness exercises, relaxation, quiet time Support systems: family, friendships, community Personal psychotherapy. Personal

1. TAKE A MOMENT TO FIND A PARTNER 2. COMPLETE THE PERSONAL ASSESSMENTS: 3. AS MUCH AS YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE, DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING WITH YOUR PARTNER: DOES YOUR SCORE ACCURATELY REFLECT THE LEVEL OF STRESS IN YOUR LIFE AS YOU SEE IT? DOES YOUR CURRENT LEVEL OF SELF CARE ENHANCE YOUR RESILIENCE OR LEAVE YOU VULNERABLE? WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT YOUR RESULTS? Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Personal Assessment: Measuring Life Stress/ Vulnerability to Stress

Measuring Life Stress Vulnerability to Stress Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training If the current level of stress continues, physical outcomes can occur: Score : You have a 37% of a minor, stress related illness. Score : You have a 51% chance of developing a major illness. Score over 300: You have a 79% chance of a major health breakdown. To calculate, add up the figures and subtract 20. Score below 10=excellent resistance to stress. Score over 30 = some vulnerability to stress Score over 50 = serious vulnerability to stress. Interpretation

Assessment Intervention Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) Scale. Checking your basic needs at work Identifying personal “early warning signs” Supervision Continued professional development Work-life balance Goal & motivation awareness. Peer support Time management Assertiveness skills Professional

1. TAKE A MOMENT TO FIND A PARTNER 2. COMPLETE THE PERSONAL ASSESSMENTS: 3. AS MUCH AS YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE, DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING WITH YOUR PARTNER: WHAT, IF ANYTHING, SURPRISED YOU ABOUT YOUR RESULTS? HOW DO YOU DEFINE SATISFACTION, BURNOUT AND FATIGUE IN YOUR OWN LIFE? DOES IT SEEM TO MATCH WHAT YOU’VE ASSESSED YOURSELF ON? Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Professional Assessment Professional Quality of Life

ProQoL Score Pattern Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Where do YOU fit? Low Burnout, Low Compassion Fatigue, High Satisfaction= Enjoy Your Job! High Burnout, High Compassion Fatigue, Low Satisfaction= Change Careers High Burnout, Low Compassion Fatigue, High Satisfaction=Change Jobs Low Burnout, Low Compassion Fatigue, Low Satisfaction=Change Population Served

Setting Self-Care Goals Reviewing your results Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training 1. Review the Self-Assessments you have taken today. 2. Identify the areas for which you are at risk. 3. In Part A of Setting Goals, list all the areas in which you want to make changes. 4. After you have made your list, rank items with 1 being the highest priority. 5. Discuss your list with your partner.

SMART Goals Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training SMART goals are: S pecific M easureable A ttainable R ealistic T ime-based Examples: “During the next 30 days, I will go to the gym three times per week for one hour each time, beginning this Saturday.” “Beginning next week I will turn off my work phone from 6pm-8am.”

Maintenance Goals Growth Goals Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Those who currently have minimal stressors or high resiliency may choose maintenance goals. “I will continue to take the hour lunch breaks that help me recharge, without feeling guilty.” Those who currently have minimal coping strategies or multiple stressors may choose growth goals. “I will practice mindfulness by doing deep breathing exercises at least once a day.” SMART Goals Can Be:

Life Stress, Resilience & Coping Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Based on your priorities listed in your Self Assessment Part 1, create three SMART Goals for personal self care. Identify the resources available to you for the implementation of your goals. Identify the loved one/ friend to whom you will turn for support in the implementation of your goals.

Practitioner Stress Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Based on your priorities listed in your Professional Self Assessments, create three SMART work-related self care goals. Identify the resources available to you for the implementation of your work related goals. Identify a person at work to whom you will turn for support in the implementation of your goals.

Resistance and Obstacles Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Are there resistances/ obstacles to the implementation of your plan? These can be internal or external. If yes, what are they? Will any of your resources you have listed help you overcome the obstacles? If not, how will you overcome your obstacles to self care?

TURN AWARENESS INTO ACTION WORK YOUR PLAN HELP OTHERS STAY ACCOUNTABLE ASK FOR AND SEEK ADDITIONAL SUPPORT & TRAINING Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Compassion Fatigue

RENEE BRANSON, MA, NCC CERTIFIED COMPASSION FATIGUE EDUCATOR Renee Branson, MA, NCC--Lotus Coaching & Training Lotus Coaching & Training