counseling for Compassion Fatigue

Do you work with people all day and come home exhausted and drained?

Do you have a job where you witness or listen to others’ pain and frustration, find yourself stretched thin with resources, and find yourself unable to make the difference you wanted to make in the world?  When these factors combine, some people find that the resulting chronic stress brings them to a breaking point.  That breaking point has a term – compassion fatigue.

Compassion fatigue occurs when the accumulated stress of witnessing the pain of others combined with a high workload and limited resources has an emotional effect on you.  Compassion fatigue is a unique type of burnout that can lead you to become less effective at your job, less fulfilled, and even depressed or anxious.

Some people that are particularly prone to compassion fatigue due to the nature of their work include health care workers, mental health care workers, first responders, teachers, and people working in the justice system.  However, anyone involved in witnessing the pain and struggles of others can be affected by compassion fatigue.

Signs of compassion fatigue can include physical and emotional exhaustion, anger and irritability, increased use of alcohol or other substances, reduced ability to feel sympathy or empathy, and less enjoyment or satisfaction with work.  In some situations, compassion fatigue can lead to depression, anxiety, or PTSD.

I want to help you overcome the burnout and chronic stress that comes from caring for others so that you can feel re-energized and filled with purpose.

You probably got into your field because you care about making a difference.  And yet the very thing you care about is on the line if you are not able to show up as your best self and do your best work.  The first step in dealing with compassion fatigue is becoming aware of it and the toll it has taken on you.

I want to help you build awareness on how compassion fatigue may have affected your well-being and your effectiveness at work.  I will help you identify ways that you can better care for yourself.  We will work together to help you build resilience so that you can care for others and remain effective at your job and in the rest of your life.  If you think you may be experiencing compassion fatigue, schedule your twenty minute free introductory phone call to explore if we may be a good fit to work together, or visit my FAQ page to learn a little more about what it’s like to work with me.  Through counseling at my therapy practice serving Texas residents we can sort through the compassion fatigue and help you come to a place of care and kindness for yourself.

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