Problem:
This week's focus is quite important! It's common that the mental health field has challenges in keeping self-care the priority in their practice. However, counselors must remember that self-care buffers the indirect effects of trauma (often present in periods of crisis intervention). For example, it can help decrease the impact of compassion fatigue, which is a more commonly used phrase to describe exhaustion of caring (Figley, 1995). Compassion fatigue has become the operational view of secondary traumatic stress (Rudolph, Stamm, & Stamm, 1997, Nov). Clinicians may feel periods of "tension and preoccupation with the traumatized patients by re-experiencing the traumatic events [and] avoidance/numbing of reminders persistent arousal associated with the patient" (Figley, 2002, p. 1435). The core meaning of compassion is significant to a discussion of compassion fatigue, for it simply means to bear suffering (Figley, 2002). In a field where compassion is continuous or expected, it is apparent that bearing a client's suffering will take its toll. Compassion fatigue affects the clinician's perspective and counselors can become cynical towards or about their clients, while blaming them for their troubles (Farber & Heifetz, 1982). Even their outlook towards life may turn negative (Rothschild, 2006). It's easy to see why self-care must be placed in high regard throughout one's career. Does this gel with your own thoughts about how important self-care can really be as a professional counselor? Welcome to your week! Dr. A References: Farber, B. A., & Heifetz, L. J. (1981). Need Assignment Help?