Before doing this I didn’t understand the difference between compassion fatigue and burnout. I thought compassion fatigue was just a specific type of burnout experienced by helpers and healers.
In reality, compassion fatigue is not only different, but can be much more serious than burnout.
To understand compassion fatigue more I interviewed licensed mental health professional Robin Bilazarian. Robin has experience of working with countless clients who are in danger of being traumatized by working with people who are in trouble.
In this podcast Robin and I talk about:
- The difference between compassion fatigue and burnout
- The signs of compassion fatigue
- Why at this moment in history we are more susceptible to it
- How to prevent and how to heal compassion fatigue
At one point in the conversation we discuss how a forgiveness practice can be helpful in combating compassion fatigue. You can find that resource here.
Even if you are not a professional helper, if you are a person who helps others in your personal life, I strongly recommend you listen to this episode.
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Guest: Robin Bilazarian LCSW, DCSW, DCEP
Contact: Web @ RobinEFT.net
About: Robin Bilazarian is a licensed mental health professional who has been tapping with her clients for 24 years. In addition to her private practice, she worked 20 hours a week serving the staff of an urban hospital, frequently assisting with compassion fatigue and other issues with the hospital staff, physicians and medical students.
In her hospital work Robin regularly helps people who have NOT come to her because she is a tapping practitioner. In fact, most of her clients at the hospital and in her clinical practice have never heard of tapping before walking into her office. She has also toured the USA teaching other psychotherapists how to bring EFT and tapping into their clinical practice.
Just listened to this. I love your brilliant use of metaphors. To clarify a bit further, compassion fatigue is secondary trauma, meaning you are responding with trauma-like symptoms that you can not easily shake. (EFT is highly effective to help you diminish Compassion Fatigue symptoms.) Burnout means you just are doing too much of it, even something fun. Example, you may be burned out binge watching a netflix series, but you have no symptoms. Suggest you stay close to your colleagues to help you debrief and develop a written “coping strategy” list as mentioned by Gene, for those moments when you feel overwhelmed. Thanks Gene!