You don’t need to be a first responder or healthcare service provider to be vulnerable to compassion fatigue. The daily onslaught of tragic news from around the globe impacts a broad swath of the population that may or may not be aware of how they are affected. Unwittingly, we may be left wondering when the… Read More Compassion Fatigue – When Tragedy Strikes Repeatedly
Here is a follow up to our last post on compassion fatigue and the task of doing an inventory of past or current experiences that have had an impact on us. I am including an example of how I approached my inventory: Macro-look at experiences that contributed to cumulative fatigue over time: Medical visits (clinical,… Read More #3 Compassion Fatigue: Let’s Dig Deeper
Helping professions, like healthcare and interpreting, are noble pursuits whose core function, simply put, is to assist others in meeting a vital need. Fueled with finely-developed technical skills and a strong desire to be of service, healthcare professionals embark on a soul-journey to “make a difference” in the lives of those with whom we work.… Read More #1 The Cost of Caring – Compassion Fatigue and the Healthcare Interpreter
In working with people in active domestic violence situations, safety planning is a critical step. Living in and possibly leaving a violent situation can be anxiety producing and cloud judgment and critical thinking. As a result, service providers will work with victims to map out key elements of their plan to ensure they maximize their… Read More Safety Planning -A Critical Tool in Domestic Violence Work
As service providers working with people who are actively experiencing domestic violence, one might wonder “why don’t you just leave?” or “I would never put up with that.” Two judgments made too quickly… The psychological, emotional, physical, familial and/or economic impact have such a stronghold on the client that s/he cannot imagine life without the… Read More Why Don’t You Just Leave? Understanding the Stronghold of Domestic Violence.
Within the mental health arena, domestic violence is an experience had by many, either directly or as a witness. Oftentimes, domestic violence is multi-generational. It is a complex issue that involves familial, cultural, religious and social norms, as well as carrying shame and stigma with it. To set the context for this next series of… Read More Working With Domestic Violence In Mental Health
When a child experiences trauma, the potential exists for disruption in the child’s healthy development (0-5 years of age). The nature of the trauma, its duration and complexity can create downstream affects if left unaddressed. Dr Bruce Perry, a renowned expert of childhood development outlines these key sequential, developmental markers: Attachment – healthy dyadic relationship… Read More Childhood Trauma – The Path to Healing
Through My Mind's Eye 