Preventing Compassion Fatigue

Product Description

Overview

Ministering to and caring for others in distress can, over time, lead to a type of secondary traumatic stress known as compassion fatigue. Caregivers should learn to recognize and manage the symptoms of compassion fatigue in order to stay healthy and ensure meaningful long-term ministry. Taryn Millar, Psy.D., offers strategies for lowering the risk of compassion fatigue.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

1. Learn the risk factors for developing compassion fatigue;
2. Identify key symptoms of secondary traumatic stress; and
3. Explore practical prevention strategies for lowering the risk of developing compassion fatigue.

Who Should Participate

Priests, deacons, men and women religious, lay ministers, and those involved in vocations, formation, or clergy and ministry personnel needs.

Reflection Questions

Questions for reflection and discussion prior to the learning session are provided below.

1. When have I struggled with compassion fatigue? Were there any warning signs?
2. How might compassion fatigue impact my sense of fulfillment and meaning in my ministry?
3. As a person in a helping profession, what lifestyle choices can I make to prevent compassion fatigue?