This anecdote is personal. It illustrates how work can seep into the personal when we least expect it. When I am in my professional role – as an interpreter or as a clinician – my boundaries are very well established. The stories I hear make their way in but only to a point – even… Read More When Work Becomes Personal
In the midst of worldwide events that are, oftentimes, tragic and day-to-day experiences, either professional or personal, that may be traumatic, it is all the more important to engage in activities that are pleasurable. In the spirit of self-care, setting healthy boundaries for our level of engagement in external suffering is a critical self-preservation… Read More It’s Ok To Laugh And Enjoy Yourself
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
Through My Mind's Eye 