Burnout, Vicarious Trauma, and Compassion Fatigue

3 Hours | 3 CEs

This on-demand professional training program on Burnout, Vicarious Trauma, and Compassion Fatigue is presented by Jerrod Brown, Ph.D.

Compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma are all illnesses experienced by professionals due to the demanding nature of their work. When professionals are constantly pushed to their limits, they may experience symptoms of these illnesses.

Compassion fatigue is a syndrome that is caused by chronic stress and exhaustion. This syndrome can develop after long periods of working excessively hard and feeling overwhelmed. Symptoms of compassion fatigue can include feeling overwhelmed by the number of people needing help, constantly tired, and having difficulty meeting personal needs. Burnout is another condition that can be caused by long hours and excessive stress. This syndrome can lead to decreased motivation, decreased energy, and decreased ability to focus. Vicarious trauma is caused by witnessing or experiencing a harmful or traumatic event. Vicarious trauma can lead to feelings of fear, anger, and sadness. Professionals constantly dealing with traumatic events may be more at risk for developing compassion fatigue.

This program is intended for all mental health professionals and examines these topics' definitions, causes, and consequences. Prevention and intervention strategies are discussed. Empirically based research findings are discussed throughout this program.