April 4, 2002 | Read Time: 2 minutes
The following resources can help identify and lead to treatment for compassion fatigue:
The Compassion Fatigue Self-Test,
designed by Charles R. Figley, founder of the International Traumatology Institute, measures levels of compassion fatigue, burnout, and satisfaction and can give those who take the test an indication of whether they should consider changing jobs as a means to alleviate their stress. Go to: http://www.greencross.org/selftest4psychotherapists.pdf
Books: Compassion Fatigue: Coping With Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder in Those Who Treat the Traumatized (Brunner/Mazel, $48.95), edited by Mr. Figley, focuses on the immediate and long-term effects for people who take care of others. Secondary Traumatic Stress: Self-Care Issues for Clinicians, Researchers, and Educators (Sidran Press, $22.50), edited by Beth Hudnall Stamm, focuses on the prevention and treatment of compassion fatigue.
Training and workshops: The International Traumatology Institute, at the University of South Florida, in Tampa, offers a 17-hour course for certification as a compassion-fatigue specialist. More information is available online at http://www.outreach.usf.edu/trauma or by contacing J. Eric Gentry, the institute’s administrator; (813) 974-1191; egentry@admin.usf.edu. The institute’s Canadian office also offers specialist training in compassion fatigue through Psych Ink Resources, a Toronto company. For information, go to http://www.psychink.com, or contact the executive director of the Canadian branch of the institute, Anne B. Baranowsky, at (416) 229-1477, extension 235, abb@sympatico.ca. The Traumatology Institute also provides experts to conduct workshops in compassion fatigue for nonprofit groups.
Video: Gift From Within, a nonprofit group for those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, offers “When Helping Hurts: Sustaining Trauma Workers,” a videotape that defines compassion fatigue as it applies to workers who are exposed to trauma, identifies the symptoms, and explores prevention and treatment.
The 50-minute version is $95, while a 15-minute version sells for $25. It can be purchased through the group’s Web site at http://www.sourcemaine.com/gift.
Workshops for animal shelters: Clinical psychologist Carol A. Brothers and counselor Connie Toverud offer workshops in compassion fatigue for animal-related charities. For more information, contact Ms. Brothers at (410) 956-9560; carol_ab@juno.com.
Practical tips: The Association for Trauma Stress Specialists offers specific advice to help professionals take better care of themselves so they will avoid compassion fatigue. Go to: http://www.atss-hq.com/tlpdf/TraumaLinks3.pdf.
