Compassion Fatigue and Secondary Trauma

Secondary trauma, also known as ‘compassion fatigue’, can lead to an erosion in your ability to feel empathy. This course will help you recover.

People who work with people with trauma – such as nurses, social workers and teachers – can begin to experience a lack of empathy for others in both their professional and private lives.

This is often seen as ‘burnout’, when in fact the person may be experiencing ‘compassion fatigue’ or ‘secondary trauma’ as a result of working in such conditions over a long time period (usually years).

Even the most experienced professionals can be at risk, and this course will help you place your needs at the core of your work. It will help participants recognise the signs of secondary trauma and to recognise the impact it can have upon their own emotional wellbeing and mental health.

By the end of the day, participants will have an understanding of:

• Trauma
• Secondary and Vicarious Traumatic Stress (STS & VTS)
• Compassion fatigue and blocked care
• Compassion satisfaction
• Strategies for prevention
• Self care