Research shows that workers in particular fields are more susceptible to vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.  These may include:

• Counsellors, Psychologists, Social Workers, Support Workers (for victims, addiction-impacted, refugees, housing, crisis line volunteers, etc)
• First Responders (police, fire, ambulance and civilians in those environments)
• Criminal Justice (lawyers, probation/parole officers)
• Health Care Professional (nurses, physicians, pharmacists, medical assistants, techs, OTs)
• Journalists
• Veterans
• Caregivers (parents, guardians, adults caring for elderly)

Are you getting easily stressed by small things that you used to find manageable? Developing empathy for trauma victims, over time, impacts our nervous system. We may develop less capacity for stress. Fortunately, you can learn skills to develop resiliency and sustainability in your work. You can learn skills that are quick and can be applied to any environment at work or home.

Many workers don’t feel the impact of their work on them in the beginning but over time start noticing that they are being impacted.  Some clues that we are developing symptoms of vicarious trauma or compassion fatigue are:

At Work

• feeling drained/resentful and a loss of passion for work
• avoiding certain clients/patients
• calling in sick

With others

• relationship difficulties
• talked out- don’t want to talk to spouse after work
• less patience or easily overwhelmed in parenting

Health

• physical symptoms like tight/sore muscles, digestion problems, headaches, etc
• addictive behaviours after work such as drinking, substance use, tv watching, internet, gambling, more working

This behaviour often interferes with the ability to do good work and sustain a healthy family life.

Continuing down this path may lead to divorce, addiction and career burnout. Affected individuals may not understand that their symptoms are related to their work or caring roles.

If this sounds like you or someone you are supervising please call (604) 816-6532 or email info@NatalieHansenCounselling.com for more information on how I can help you deal with this behaviour and prevent it in the future.

Working with me in this capacity can look like:

1. Group workshops,

2. Individual Consulting/Counselling/Supervision,

3. Ongoing Group Supervision.

Please call or email to discuss about how I can help you or your organization prevent burnout or vicarious traumatization.

Land from high stress with someone who gets what your work is like.  Learn skills that will help you to:

• resource yourself at home and work
• land from high stress situations so you don’t bring it home with you
• ground yourself anywhere whether in the car, at home or at work
• set and keep boundaries
• not let work interfere with your ability to be a good spouse
• not let work negatively impact your ability to be the parent you want to be
• build connection,
• prevent burnout, and
• build sustainability in your work or practice.

Call me at (604) 816-6532 or email info@NatalieHansenCounselling to see if we are a good fit and to begin experiencing relief right away. You are doing such important work.

Recent Trainings for Professionals

November 2015. High Stress Skills: Balancing Home and Work Life. 2 hour workshop repeated 5 days in a row (to reach all rotations) prepared for New Westminster Police Members and Civilians.

March 2016. Power-Based Crimes: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Child Abuse and Elder Abuse. 4 hour Workshop Prepared for the Port Moody Victim Services New Volunteer Training.

April 2016. Vicarious Trauma – Signs of VT and Skills to Prevent and Manage it. 2 hour Presentation prepared for the New Westminster Prevention Services, including the Victim Assistance Unit Volunteers