Overcoming Compassion Fatigue: Creative Self-Care Strategies is a 3-hour online continuing education (CE) course that examines how to identify and treat compassion fatigue.

Loss is a recurring theme in our lives, often disguised as change, rejection, or tragedy. A caregiver is often affected directly by loss when overly engaged and immersed in the consistent demands of tending to those in distress. Some of the losses might include sleep, free time, independence, and social connections. These losses may be considered a secondary loss or distress because of a primary loss. The term and concept of compassion fatigue grew from this secondary loss experience (or more aptly, secondary trauma) that we as caregivers or caring professionals can experience as part of our professional or personal lives.

In this course, we will begin with an overview of what compassion fatigue is along with historical context. We will then learn who is the most vulnerable to the effects of compassion fatigue. Common physical and emotional symptoms are presented along with best practice for treatment based on the latest research.

Next, we will review ten evidence-based creative self-care strategies, proven effective in treating compassion fatigue and stress as well as building emotional resilience when faced with change and loss. These strategies will be presented to you through description, application, research, and real-life stories illustrating how each technique may be applied to your own life or to those you work with and support.

Course #31-33 | 2021 | 47 pages | 20 posttest questions