Ethical Implications of Compassion Fatigue
Presenter: Dr. Jae Carter
Join us for this 3 hour Ethics CEUs Workshop for therapists.
Friday, August 9th, 2019
9:30 to 1pm
Location: Cover 3 2700 W. Anderson Ln.
Full Breakfast Buffet is included.
Please note seating is limited.
Presentation Description
Self-care for therapists and counselors is often encouraged and even mandated in
ethics codes, but easily neglected. While work burnout can occur in any occupation,
helping professionals can be at higher risk due to caring for the needs of hurting
people. Compassion fatigue is a state of exhaustion experienced by those helping
people in distress over time; it is an extreme state of tension and preoccupation
with the suffering of others. Estimates for distress of workers in the health care field
range from 21% to over 50% for those working with trauma clients.
Yet, burnout is not inevitable. The key is understanding the difference between
acute stress vs. the chronic stress cycle. First, we look at real life issues through self-
tests, case studies, and research that explore problems with professional
impairment, having poor boundaries with clients and co-workers, and potentially
harming clients with unethical decisions and behavior. Next is a short and simple
overview of somatic models showing that true stress resilience takes more than
typical self-care techniques. Last, you will learn tools to create a personal plan to
prevent or heal compassion fatigue. Get ready for an ethics course that can change
how you see yourself and how you care for yourself to become a more effective and
ethical helper.
Topics
Do you have compassion fatigue and burnout?
Ethical guidelines relevant to compassion fatigue
Who gets compassion fatigue and burnout?
Why is chronic stress so difficult to overcome according to recent neuroscience?
Exercises for immediate and ongoing relief
Learning Objectives
1) The attendees will be able to list 4 life areas affected by Compassion Fatigue or
Burnout.
2) The attendees will be able to list 2 ethical mandates concerning personal
impairment.
3) The attendees will be able list 3 groups of individuals who are vulnerable to the
development of Compassion Fatigue.
4) The attendees will be able to list 2 strategies to reduce the symptoms of
Compassion Fatigue or Burnout.
Biography
Jae Carter is a psychologist who specializes in health psychology.
Since 1998, she has helped individuals and families adjust to mental
health and medical conditions such as dementia, stroke, and
traumatic brain injury. She has worked in psychology clinics, nursing
homes, and hospitals such as UT Southwestern.
Dr. Carter founded the company Caring by Connection to help those
who experience emotional exhaustion due to caring for others. Her
workshops are based on the healing power of compassion. She uses
her knowledge of neuroscience to show how to make lasting changes
to the chronic stress response and enjoy greater well-being and work
satisfaction.
