2. Exposure to Trauma has an impact on
the most highly skilled professionals
“Trauma stewardship” is ethical
issue (Laura van Dernoot Lipsky)
Occupational hazard of the work
◦ “toxic stress”
Organizational & Individual Strategies both
matter
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
3. No magic pill; No ONE thing
There are symptoms: Pay attention
◦ to what “degree” - normal to ‘feel it’ –
◦ “NORMALIZE the difficulty of the topic & situation”
Figure out your current level of stress:
◦ Stress (helpful/good stress or at least not harmful)
◦ Over stressed (Pay attention)
◦ Burnout
◦ Dis-ease (Crispy, Crossed Over) (TOXIC)
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4. As a catalyst to do what you can
about any toxic conditions
Define the extent of the problem, restoration or
transformation & practicing prevention
Important to start with yourself
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
6. Issue: What is an individual
vs situation/systemic
problem?
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7. Most “stress” from organization/political/systemic
issues
Toxic exposure
Overload from multiple sources
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8. The exhaustion of physical and
psychological resources caused
by excessive striving for
unrealistically high expectations
(Update on Human Behavior,
Vol 7, No. 4, 1987)
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10. Burnout is a grief response
Grief that you aren’t as
effective as you want to be
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
11. Preoccupation with work-related problems
or job security
* a depressed immune system
* stomach problems
* lack of appetite
* insomnia
* high blood pressure
* Irritability
* sadness
•Anxiety
* chemical excuse/abuse
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12. * Overtime
* Negativism
* Cynicism ***
* Pessimism
* Hopeless is hip
* If "seasoned", then cynical
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13. Burnout & Secondary Trauma =
Compassion fatigue
(Figley)
◦ Empathy is key to induction
◦ Response is to shut down emotionally
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
16. Release of powerful chemicals
Only intended to be used for extreme
emergencies
Not intended to experience repeat life threats
PTSD = constant/chronic release of brains
emergency warning system
Learned response to warning signs &
associations
Reflex happens from sensory
stimuli in absence of real threat
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
18. 1995-1997 data collection, 17K, 1st
published in
’98; 2013 MN ACES Data
“What creates health and life success?”
Develop a common language about the problem,
risks, protections and compassion
ACES, neurobiology, stress and resilience
Plan together in a new way
Adversity add up & creates enduring
effects
ACES are common, UNACCEPTABLE, the
earlier exposure the more the harms, yet they
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
21. Are you suspicious of
everyone?
Do your children wish they
had a “normal parent” that
didn’t always see/expect the
worst?
Are you increasingly
“protective?”
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
25. Exploited Child Unit
Study of Impact;
Proactive weekly group meetings
Opportunities for private sessions
Hiring assessment based on learnings
Debrief at departures
(Occupational Hazard)
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
26. www.shiftwellness.org;
Research shows the impact
Innocent justice Foundation with OJJDP,
ICAC’s and MH expert in CSA Images
developed “Supporting Heroes in MH
Foundational Training (SHIFT)
ICAC BCA MN – Own Program
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
27. 28 federal LE who investigate Internet CP
High % of STSD (secondary traumatic stress
disorder) & Cynicism
STSD & burnout scores related to:
◦ Increased protectiveness of family
◦ Turnover intentions
◦ Reliance on co-workers (not outside of
work)
◦ General distrust
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
28. Cultivation of Organizational Support:
◦ Training prior to entry & supplemented
◦ Attention to cohesive collegial unit
(COMMUNITY MATTERS)
◦ Enhanced support network
◦ Recruitment willingness and screening (wrong
reasons for willingness)
◦ Past trauma, addressed
◦ Escape other duties
What fits? What doesn’t? What else?
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
29. Is the environment one in which the health, self-
care of those who work in it is LIKELY?
◦ Why or why not?
◦ Who is responsible?
◦ What can you do?
Are systems in place to help individuals/groups
bounce back after harm?
Are processes restorative/transformative?
Is it Solution focused?
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
30. To Counter Professional
Negativity and Fatigue ask:
◦What are your successes?
◦What do you have to celebrate?
(Do you mostly talk
about your challenges?)
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
31. Review of workplace practices and policies
Do they include proactive measures at employee /
volunteer health & well-being & organizational support for the
reality of trauma?
Are there reactive supports (debriefings, counseling
support)
Assessment upfront, proactive check-in’s, exit
interviews
Check for signs of health: moral, tone of ‘humor’
collaboration/support/creative thinking, physical
wellness, mental health
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34. Name It
Make a plan to change
Make the change
Build a team
Evaluate
Celebrate Success
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35. SIGN: Loose our ability to be
present so we do not know the harm
to self or others
NOTE: How do we not add
to the trauma we see?
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36. Focus and Identify what you can
do to feel better at the really hard times;
Impact can be TRANSFORMED by
layering in new positive experiences;
Mindfulness, Meditation & the
neurobiology of trauma
◦ - studies show increased activation of
frontal and pre-fontal cortical areas
Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
37. Sensibillities, Inc. 2005
Cordelia@visi.com
Laughter is an instant vacation.
Laughter:
Reduces the level of stress hormones
Perks up the immune system
Relaxes muscles
Clears the respiratory tract
Increases circulation
Eases perceived pain
Feel good endorphins flow
Laughter both stimulates and soothes
39. Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com
We burn out because we’ve allowed our hearts to
become so filled with loss that we have not room
left to care.
Grieving is a way of self-care, the antidote to
professionalism. Health professionals don’t cry.
Unfortunately.
“ Is what is coming at me really coming from me?” Lo Lo This is a transition to more ways to think about how much of the stress/burnout is from out there; how much is from inside of me.
Secondary traumatic stress and burnout among law enforcement investigators exposed to disturbing media images. By Perez, Lisa M.; Jones, Jeremy; Englert, David R.; Sachau, Daniel Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, Vol 25(2), Oct 2010, 113-124
Seattle Fish Market – long hours, hard labor, tedious, repetitive “ Guy guys”
Crossed Over: Needing to Renew Name it: Admit the problem. Admit the need for focused attention. (Note: think of how to host or respond to an “intervention.” Make a plan to change: Some of us need personal trainers or therapist to make a plan and follow through, others can do it on their own. Know which you are. Set short term and long term goals. Consider: work, spirit, physical, social, mental/emotional, sexual Make a change: Start the wheel in motion. You don’t need to do everything, but take a step. e.g., look at other job opportunities. Start to exercise. See a therapist. Begin to implement your plan. Build a team : There is no need, a potential harm in keeping this a secret. Pull in team members in your personal and professional life. Some may be helpers and doers; while others may be supporters. All check in on your progress. Consider who helps with which areas! Evaluate: Set dates for a progress check. Decide who monitors your progress in specific areas. Plan for “relapse.” Plan for success. Plan to adjust your plan. Celebrate Success: Don’t wait for the big changes, celebrate the small ones. Give yourself credit.
The expectation we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk through water without getting wet. This sort of denial is no small matter. The way we deal with loss shapes our capacity to be present to life more than anything else. The way we protect ourselves from loss may be the way in which we distance ourselves from life. Protecting ourselves from loss rather than grieving and healing our losses is one of the major causes of burnout. People may not know they are “burned out” but may say, “I don’t care anymore” “I feel nothing.” Psychopaths, tyrants and dictators may not burn out, only people who care get to this point of numbness.