PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference Vicarious Trauma and Therapist Burnout Presented By: Jennifer Adamczyk-Abusomwan, MA, LPC Jennifer Pravlik, M.ED., LPC

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 2 Objectives Understand vicarious traumatization & burnout and how it effects those in the human service field Identify signs and symptoms of vicarious traumatization and burnout Identify variables that support the development of vicarious traumatization and burnout Identify personal self-care and burnout reduction strategies

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 3 Vocabulary Vicarious Traumatization Compassion Fatigue –Negative aspects of working as a helper Burnout –Inefficacy and feeling overwhelmed Compassion Satisfaction –Positive aspects of working as a helper

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 4 Measuring CS & CF: The Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) The ProQOL is free A 30 item self report measure of the positive and negative aspects of caring The ProQOL measures Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Compassion Fatigue has two subscales –Burnout –Secondary Trauma

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 5 Well Established The ProQOL is the most widely used measure of the positive and negative aspects of helping in the world The ProQOL has proven to be a valid measure of compassion satisfaction and fatigue It has been used for over 15 years The measure was developed with data from over 3000 people

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 6 For More Information:

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 7 Complete ProQol

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 8 Vicarious & Secondary Traumatization Inevitable. Normal. Slow. Cumulative. Process.

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 9 Variables That Increase Vicarious Traumatization Work itself Work environment Personal characteristics

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 10 Signs And Symptoms Physical Signs & Fatigue Nightmares related to consumers’ trauma Sleep disturbances, exaggerated startle response, difficulty relaxing Physical complaints, headaches, muscle tension, abdominal discomfort, frequent illness Cognitive Signs Forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty making decisions, difficulty concentrating Loss of creativity Loss of efficiency Preoccupation with safety of self and loved ones Unrealistically high expectations of yourself

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 11 Signs and Symptoms Emotional Signs & Sadness Emotional numbness Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness Difficulty regulating your emotions, strong emotional response to minor events Denying your own pain or difficulties Behavioral Signs Withdrawal “Tuning out” while listening to traumatic stories Loss of sense of humor or playfulness Disbelief and denial or other’s experience Survivor guilt Loss of compassion Loss of trust/faith in humanity

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 12 Therapist Burnout

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 13 Case Vignettes

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 14 Score ProQol

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 15 What Does Your Score Mean?

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 16 Are You Burned Out?

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 17 Defining Burnout The definition of burnout is not easily defined The Maslach Mutlidimensional Model of burnout (Maslach, 1982) –Three dimensions include: Increase in depersonalization Increase in emotional exhaustion Decrease in personal accomplishment

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 18 Why look at burnout? It affects at least one third of therapists 65 to 75% of helping professionals will experience burnout in the first 3-5 years of their career Burnout effects –Therapist –Family of the therapist –Organization –Community –Client

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 19 Signs and Symptoms of Burnout Physical and cognitive Psychological/Emotional Behavioral

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 20 Variables that Increase Burnout Gender Experience Level of training Theoretical orientation Treatment modality Supervision Work setting Caseload

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 21 Implications Of Burnout

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference Beliefs That Prevent Helpers From Getting Help

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 23 1.We should not experience personal problems 2.We view personal problems as a sign of inadequacy or failure. 3.We think that there is no safe place for us to get help. 4.We should be aware of all helping resources for all problems. 5.We have helping skills and can take care of ourselves.

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference We often intellectualize and/or disassociate from the emotional impact of our problems. 7. We often counsel family, friends, and significant others… a violation of boundaries. 8. We feel responsible for and often take the blame if a family member or significant other has a personal problem. 9. We feel embarrassed to seek help from fellow professionals. 10. As a result of the above, we often wait longer than others to let people help and often sabotage our own treatment.

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 25 Preventing Burnout and Vicarious Traumatization Awareness Balance Connections What do you do for self- care, fun and balance?

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 26 Vicarious Resilience & Compassion Satisfaction

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 27 Resiliency Planning Individual, personally –The ProQOL can help you plan where to put your energy to increase our resilience Organizational planning –Can help organizations find ways to maximize the positive aspects and reduce the negative aspects of helping Supportive Supervision –The ProQOL can be used as information for discussions

PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference 28 References