Continuing Ed: Empathic Strain & Secondary Trauma 101: Understanding the Essentials
We pay an emotional price for doing the work that we do. Repeated and chronic exposure to large volumes of difficult stories can erode our sense of empathy for others. We can become hardened and desensitized to suffering – or conversely, we can become swallowed up by their pain.
Since the demand often outweighs what we can offer, we may find ourselves experiencing moral distress when we cannot help everyone who comes to us. What is the impact of this on our physical and emotional well-being? How can we stay well while doing difficult work?
This session provides a foundation for understanding these very real “occupational hazards.”
• Level of Exposure: Assess what elements are risk factors for you
• Where Are You Now? Learn how to identify and recognize warning signs in yourself and others
• Assess your current strategies at home and at work
• Make a plan: Steps to address your vulnerabilities
