Prepared for SLCAs of National Institute of Social Defence-New Delhi by Dr Sojan Antony, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India

1. Handling Compassion Fatigue in
Counselling
Dr. Sojan Antony, MSW, M.Phil, Ph.D.
Department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS, Bangalore

2. Compassion Fatigue
Physical and mental exhaustion: Due to number of clients/
frequent sessions
Decreased ability to empathise
Dif
fi
cult to show compassion
Secondary to caring and/or caring process

3. T
wo elements
Burnout
Secondary traumatic stress

4. Importance in counselling
Our emotional and health status has an impact on counselling
process
Our feelings are likely to be re
fl
ected on non-verbal
communication
It becomes a barrier in developing therapeutic alliance

5. Compassion Fatigue
Are you tired and not interested in counselling?
Are you hopeless in helping persons with addiction?

6. Compassion Fatigue
Are you angry with others before counselling?
Are you worried about the outcome of your counselling session?

7. Compassion Fatigue
Are you angry with others after counselling?
Do you like to postpone counselling sessions frequently?

8. Compassion Fatigue
Are you feeling better when a client cancels the session?
At times, do you feel that your service is not that effective?

9. Compassion Fatigue
Worried about the motivation of clients?
Are you not sure about relapse prevention strategies?

10. Compassion Fatigue
Work life affects your personal life…
You miss your ‘personal self’…and Wonder yourself “what is
happening?”

11. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration
•Cognitive:
Cognitive symptoms include apathy, dif
fi
culty concentrating, perfectionism, and
obsession
.
•Emotional:
Emotional symptoms include persistent feelings of guilt, anger, sadness,
numbness, or helplessness
.

12. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration
•Behavioral:
Behavioral symptoms include becoming withdrawn, having dif
fi
culty sleeping,
appetite changes, and hypervigilance
•Physical:
Physical signs include increased heart rate, dif
fi
culty breathing, muscle and
joint pain, and an impaired immune system
.

13. Compassion Fatigue
Please share us your experience of counselling the persons
living with addiction disorders…

14. How to handle Compassion Fatigue…
T
ake a break from work; may be half an hour, may be a day,
sometimes you may take a week long break….

15. How to handle Compassion Fatigue…
Practice self-compassion: Be kind with you, when you are tired,
failed, criticised for no reasons or bullied; Reassure yourself
that, “that is not the end.”

16. How to handle Compassion Fatigue…
Engage with a peer group for peer support and peer learning.
And accept support and guidance

17. How to handle Compassion Fatigue…
Engage in recreational activities
Love and practice relaxation techniques: including yoga,
meditation, being with nature etc.

18. How to handle Compassion Fatigue…
Build skills: Self Re
fl
ection, Reframing, Negotiation, ability to
understand a problem in context, co-creation of solutions …

19. How to handle Compassion Fatigue…
Nurture healthy activities: Sleep, diet, physical activity, healthy
and stable relationships

20. How to handle Compassion Fatigue…
Update knowledge on addiction treatment: Biological
advancement, insights into social transitions and application of
psychology and technological advancement.

21. How to handle Compassion Fatigue…
Learn to normalise: Remember you are alive: So you need to
have a routine; continue the daily affairs as much as possible

22. How to handle Compassion Fatigue…
Be realistic: Any
fi
eld of care has possibilities and limitations;
Make use of possibilities at optimum level, recognise and accept
limitations…

23. Conclusion
The fact is that you are already making a meaningful change in
many persons and families!
Great Job!

24. Thank You…