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Session 52 –Making Self-Care Sustainable with Virginia Sampson
Session 52 –Making Self-Care Sustainable with Virginia Sampson
Virginia Sampson is passionate about disseminating the science based message of the power of compassion to create success in all areas of our lives. Virginia has had a full and challenging life. She has been a full-time caregiver to her husband who died from ALS, a victim of domestic violence, a single parent to four children, a widow, a divorcee, a step-parent and more. Her professional and personal challenges inspired her to study and learn about the science of compassion, self-compassion and happiness. She has written a book for adults, ‘Compassion Magic” and started a children’s series about compassion with “Superhero Sam Saves His Family”. Virginia writes for Thriveglobal.com – the publication of Arianna Huffington. She speaks nationally and internationally sharing simple and scientifically proven practices for discovering the power of compassion to create success and happiness in businesses, schools, communities, families and even with our health and well-being.
In this episode, we cover:
- Compassion fatigue awareness – is it enough?
- The three parts of self-care and self-compassion
- The benefits of regular self-care
- Self-imposed stress and the consequences of not practicing self-care
- How slowing down can make you more successful
- The difference between proactive and reactive self-care and creating a plan
Resources:
http://virginiahuntersampson.com/
Session 51 –Compassion Fatigue and Dog Training with Molly Sumner, CDBC, CPDT-KSA, CFE
Session 51 – Compassion Fatigue and Dog Training with Molly Sumner, CDBC, CPDT-KSA, CFE
Molly Sumner CDBC, CPDT-KSA, CFE, is a professional dog trainer and behavior consultant as well as a certified compassion fatigue educator. Her passion for dog training doesn't stop at clients and their dogs but also extends to her fellow colleagues. Molly sees the personal drain that caring so deeply for animals can have on professionals. She has dedicated a significant part of her career to learning about how to help her colleagues better their business and themselves. In addition to her dog training education, she is also a QPR Gatekeeper and Online Suicide Prevention Specialist.
In this episode, we cover:
- How Molly’s personal struggle with mental health helped her recognize compassion fatigue in the dog training industry
- The ways that compassion fatigue manifests in the dog training community
- When lives are on the line – the pressures of dog training
- Boundaries – the importance of protecting yourself
- The added pressure of owing your own business
- Positive reinforcement – it’s good for us too!
- Compassion fatigue coaching and counseling
Resources:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PPBeingHuman/
http://www.kindredcompanions.com/
Session 50 – Building Resiliency with Allison Rivers Samson
Session 50 – Building Resiliency with Allison Rivers Samson
Allison Rivers Samson is a self-care coach, speaker, and workshop leader who helps women make room for themselves, turn workouts into personal play dates, and makes healthy eating feel indulgent.
Allison is certified in Plant-based Nutrition from Cornell University and received her training as a Health and Wellness Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
For 20 years, she ran Allison’s Gourmet, the first online vegan bakery and chocolatier, which she retired from in 2016. Allison is an award-winning vegan chef and author of Quick + Easy DIY Salad Bar, Comfortably Numb, and The Dairy-Freedom Cookbook; She is a Nia Black Belt instructor, mama to lifelong vegan Olivia, and co-creator of The Dairy Detox.
In this episode, we cover:
- Crashing and burning and learning the hard way
- When you have no time for self-care
- Sneaky ways to build up resiliency every day
- Depressed or anxious? Have your blood checked.
- How to say yes by saying no
- Giving the best instead of the you instead of what’s left of you
Resources:
https://www.allisonriverssamson.com/
Session 49 – The Anatomy of Anger
Session 49 – The Anatomy of Anger
In this episode, we cover:
- Recognizing what’s behind your anger
- The physical and mental consequences of chronic anger
- What are some early warning signs?
- Anger management 101
- Proactive vs. reactive coping skills
Session 48 – Seven Strategies for SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder
Session 48 – Seven Strategies for SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder
In this episode, we cover:
- What is seasonal affective disorder?
- The healing power of water: a science lesson for you
- Foods that beat the blues
- What’s the best therapy for SAD?
- Feeling sad? Pet your pooch!
- Boost your mood with bodywork
- Don’t get down; get mindful
- How positive journaling can help
- When should you see a doctor?
Session 47 – Making Your Calling Sustainable with Dr. Kira Schabram
Session 47 – Making Your Calling Sustainable with Dr. Kira Schabram
Dr. Kira Schabram is an Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Michael G. Foster School of Business, University of Washington. Her research expertise is in understanding and mitigating the challenges encountered by employees who pursue meaningful work and/or occupations that seek to make a pro-social impact in the world.
Dr. Schabram is driven by her own passion for animal welfare; she grew up in a family that rescued horses and has volunteered, worked, and consulted in a variety of animal-centric organizations including wildlife rehabilitation, sustainable cattle ranching, and animal sheltering. Much of her research portfolio focuses on the “double-edged” experience of animal shelter employees whose work paths are shaded by passion, engagement, and fulfillment, as well as frustration, conflict, and burnout. Her projects have received multiple awards for their impact on academia and practice.
In this episode, we cover:
- The challenges of meaningful work
- Identifying three distinct “calling” paths
- Not all roads lead to compassion fatigue
- Making your calling more sustainable
- What employers can do to help staff
- Having realistic expectations and realizing you’re normal
Resources:
Get in touch with Dr. Kira Schabram at schabram@uw.edu
How to avoid burnout when you follow your passion in your career choice by Dr. Kira Schabram
Session 46 – Saving Dogs in “The D” with Dog Aide’s Beth Pruitt
Session 46 – Saving Dogs in “The D” with Dog Aide’s Beth Pruitt
Beth Pruitt’s passion is Detroit and the animals that reside there. She is a founding member of Detroit Dog Aide, a non-profit offering dog food, medical care, and education to the citizens of Detroit. Within her 15 plus years of animal welfare, she’s hosted a multitude of homeless animals along with sitting on local shelter reform boards.
Beth has been married for six years and has one daughter. When not working part-time, her free time is spent reading and exercising.
In this episode, we cover:
- The history and mission of Dog Aide
- Making a difference for animals in Detroit
- Managing the compassion fatigue personally and within the organization
- How you can help the dogs in “The D”
- What is the future hold for Dog Aide?
Resources:
https://www.facebook.com/DogAide
Session 45 – Grief and Loss with Cheri Barton Ross, MA, FT
Session 45 – Grief and Loss with Cheri Barton Ross, MA, FT
Cheri Barton Ross is a writer and college professor who lives in Sonoma County, CA with her husband and children (both two legged and four legged). She is best known for her pioneering work in the field of human companion animal bonds and loss. Her books include Pet Loss and Human Emotion: A Guide to Recovery, Revised and Pet Loss and Children: Establishing a Health Foundation
Cheri has numerous years of teaching experience in psychology–most notably in the area of the death and dying. She has been awarded a Fellow in Thanatology (from the Association for Death Education and Counseling, ADEC), three times. Cheri’s work has been included in textbooks for veterinary medical schools and psychology books. In addition to presenting at many seminars for mental health professionals and veterinary medical professionals, both nationally and internationally, she has authored, and published, numerous articles and books on the topic. Her work was used, as supporting documentation, to help pass legislation that was made into law which allows for pets to be considered family members in a natural or man- made disaster.
Locally, Cheri’s the founder and facilitator for one of the longest running grief support groups in the U.S, “The Redwood Empire Veterinary Medical Association Pet Loss Support Group” (since 1998). She has assisted in establishing similar support groups throughout the US and abroad. In addition, she’s been interviewed by magazines, podcasts, and television and radio stations regarding human-companion animal bonds, grief and loss.
In this episode, we cover:
- The impact of grief and loss in animal welfare
- The dangers of not allowing yourself to process losses
- What is disenfranchised grief?
- Exploring the stages and symptoms of grief
- Healthy versus complicated grief
- Honoring friends who have passed away
Resources:
Pet Loss and Children: Establishing a Health Foundation
https://www.facebook.com/Pet-BereavementCheri-Barton-Ross-763600423655904/
Session 44 – Sacrificial Helping Syndrome with Katie Vernoy, LMFT
Session 44 – Sacrificial Helping Syndrome with Katie Vernoy, LMFT
Katie Vernoy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the founder of Evolve to Thrive Coaching and Consulting Services. Katie’s mission is to support helping professionals to obtain the opportunities and support they need to create careers that are meaningful and sustainable. Katie also supports passionate people, who are called to help others, to create thriving businesses through her consulting company, Evolve to Thrive. Katie provides coaching and business strategies to support these “helpreneurs” in pursuing their mission while avoiding a common trap for these professionals: Sacrificial Helping Syndrome. Too many helpers sacrifice their own well-being for the people or animals they choose to serve. With the right mindset, systems, and team members, Katie’s clients can make a larger impact, without burning out.
In this episode, we cover:
- What is sacrificial helping syndrome?
- Why it’s so hard to focus on ourselves
- How becoming a martyr hurts us – and the helping field itself
- Finding a cure for sacrificial helping syndrome: sneaky self-care
- Why self-care has got to become non-negotiable
Resources:
Session 43 – Rx: Self-Care
Session 43 – Rx: Self-Care
On today’s show I talk about my 11-step prescription for self-care.
In this episode, we cover:
- Diet
- Sleep
- The mind-body connection
- Support
- Nature and negative ions
- Exercise
- Mindfulness
- Gratitude
- Slowing down
Resources:
https://thecompassionfatiguepodcast.com/rescue-me-retreat/
Session 42 – Vicarious Trauma with Charles Figley, PhD – Part Two
Session 42 – Vicarious Trauma with Charles Figley, PhD – Part Two
Charles Figley is the Paul Henry Kurzweg, MD Distinguished Chair in Disaster Mental Health. He directs the Tulane University Traumatology Institute and is a full professor in the School of Social Work at Tulane University. He is credited with helping to establish trauma and trauma psychology as important fields of study through his body of work including the 2012 Encyclopedia of Trauma: An Interdisciplinary Guide (Sage). Dr. Figley also helped establish the current field of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma and the importance of self-care, having a self-care plan that works toward becoming more resilient to future setbacks for folks working with highly distressed people. He is a husband, father, and grandfather and splits his time between New Orleans and Tallahassee. Most of his journal articles and the book, Compassion Fatigue in the Animal Care Community is available at Research Gate (see resources below).
In this episode, we cover:
- Empathy – both a blessing and a curse
- Is compassion fatigue actually a problem?
- The importance of social support and compassion satisfaction
- Comparing compassion fatigue to PTSD
- Using humor and stress management skills to overcome trauma
- Exploring the book, Compassion Fatigue in the Animal Care Community
Resources:
https://charlesfigley.com/charlesfigleycv/
https://tulanetraumatologyinstitute.com/
http://proqol.org/ProQol_Test.html
Session 41 – Vicarious Trauma with Charles Figley, PhD – Part One
Session 41 – Vicarious Trauma with Charles Figley, PhD – Part One
Charles Figley is the Paul Henry Kurzweg, MD Distinguished Chair in Disaster Mental Health. He directs the Tulane University Traumatology Institute and is a full professor in the School of Social Work at Tulane University. He is credited with helping to establish trauma and trauma psychology as important fields of study through his body of work including the 2012 Encyclopedia of Trauma: An Interdisciplinary Guide (Sage). Dr. Figley also helped establish the current field of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma and the importance of self-care, having a self-care plan that works toward becoming more resilient to future setbacks for folks working with highly distressed people. He is a husband, father, and grandfather and splits his time between New Orleans and Tallahassee. Most of his journal articles and the book, Compassion Fatigue in the Animal Care Community is available at Research Gate (see resources below).
In this episode, we cover:
- What is vicarious trauma?
- Compassion fatigue – the cost of caring
- Building resiliency and setting limits
- Being proactive rather than reactive
- The difference between primary and secondary trauma
- How unresolved trauma can contribute to compassion fatigue
Resources:
https://charlesfigley.com/charlesfigleycv/
https://tulanetraumatologyinstitute.com/
Session 40 – Seven Ways to Build Teamwork
Session 40 – Seven Ways to Build Teamwork
Join me on this solo episode where I share seven of my top tips on combating compassion fatigue and burnout by building teamwork in the workplace.
In this episode, we cover:
- Teamwork – why is it important?
- Being on the lookout for both individual and organizational compassion fatigue
- Have a “No Bullshit” policy in place
- Provide continuous education and training
- Allow for time to debrief and process as a team
- Healthy communication = healthy workplace
- Have clear goals and expectations and use the “bank account”
- Create a compassionate workplace
- Remember the common goals
Session 39 – Crisis Response with Hilary Hager
Session 39 – Crisis Response with Hilary Hager
Hilary Anne Hager has spent the last 17 years managing volunteers in animal welfare environments and currently serves as the Senior Director of Volunteer Engagement at The Humane Society of the United States. Engaging volunteers in meaningful work to make the world a more humane place is Hilary’s passion and life’s work. She teaches compassion fatigue workshops around the country to help provide members of the animal protection community the support and resources to maintain their own well-being while working in a challenging and emotionally-charged environment.
In addition to managing volunteers in shelters, Hilary has been a volunteer herself at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Washington State, and served on the board of directors for a chimpanzee sanctuary, the Washington State Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies, and a “friends-of” non-profit group supporting the work of a municipally-operated shelter. Hilary holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University.
In this episode, we cover:
- The role of the Animal Response Team at The Humane Society of the United States
- The unique challenges – and rewards – of crisis response
- Building resiliency to deal with compassion fatigue during crisis
- What you can do to prepare your own animals in the event of disaster
- Healing and moving forward after the crisis
- Bringing help and hope to animals and people
- What you can do to help!
Resources:
www.humanesociety.org/volunteer
Session 38 – Hypnosis for Compassion Fatigue with Dayna Weber, LLPC
Session 38 – Hypnosis for Compassion Fatigue with Dayna Weber, LLPC
Dayna Weber is a Limited License Professional Counselor in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area of Michigan. She received her master's degree from Ashland University in 2010. Dayna's goal as a therapist is to encourage each client to explore who they are, be proud of it, and live authentically. She particularly enjoys working with adolescents and those in the LGBTQ community. She is familiar with many spiritual and religious traditions.
Dayna also holds a BA in Music from Wayne State University and studied opera during her time there. She has sung professionally and still enjoys singing occasionally. She is married with a 13-year-old stepson. Her favorite things include anything from Alice in Wonderland and anything macabre. She enjoys reading, playing chess, and is particularly passionate about coffee.
In this episode, we cover:
- What exactly is hypnosis?
- Busting the myths surrounding hypnosis
- Are there any risks with hypnosis?
- What to expect in a typical session
- How hypnosis can complement talk therapy
- Symptoms that hypnosis can help with
- A guided hypnosis for compassion fatigue
Resources:
Session 37 – Exploring Self-Esteem with Brent Garrard, LPCC, LCADC
Session 37 – Exploring Self-Esteem with Brent Garrard, LPCC, LCADC
Over the last two decades, Brent Garrard LPCC, LCADC, has walked beside countless individuals and couples facing life changes, difficult decisions, crisis recovery, addiction recovery, and the challenge of overcoming dysfunctional behaviors. He has also worked extensively with those seeking to improve or begin relationships, explore career options, or those simply seeking to gain a deeper understanding of who they are.
He believes that we each cope with life's challenges in a unique way, and the process of exploring, discovering, and reconnecting to our true selves is the key to this growth. He assists each individual on their journey towards healing and personal growth to see that while the past brings us to an understanding of who we are, it is important to live mindfully in the present and plan hopefully for the future.
Brent is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) in the state of Kentucky where he is a partner in Garrard-Howell Therapeutic Partners, LLC. He is also the founder of Relationship Rechargers, an intensive program for relationships in crisis or in need of attention. He is the father of Tyler (18) and Mallory (16) and has been married to his wife, and best friend, Miriah for the past 20 years.
In this episode, we cover:
- What is self-esteem and how is it developed?
- The hope diamond and the vacuum cleaner
- Poor versus healthy self-esteem
- Trying to heal ourselves by helping others
- Is there anything wrong with equating our self-worth to our work?
- The difference between self-esteem and self-compassion
- How healthy self-esteem and self-compassion can help with compassion fatigue and burnout
Resources:
www.relationshiprechargers.com
https://www.facebook.com/garrardcounseling/
Session 36 – Healing People by Helping Animals with The Gentle Barn’s Ellie Laks
Ellie Laks is the Founder of The Gentle Barn Foundation, a national organization that rescues and rehabilitates unwanted animals, and heals people with the same stories of abuse and neglect. She is a celebrated animal welfare advocate, humane educator, and the author of “My Gentle Barn: Creating a sanctuary where animals heal and children learn to hope”.
Ellie founded The Gentle Barn in 1999. She invented her own “Gentle Healing method” that allows old, sick, injured and terrified animals to fully recover using a mixture of Western medicine, holistic healing modalities, holding therapy and lots of love. Ellie is an expert in healing orphaned and sick animals, like puppies with Parvo and calves from veal crates. Ellie has hosted hundreds of thousands of at-risk, inner-city and special needs children, war veterans, seniors,victims of domestic violence, and those in recovery from drug, alcohol, and gang affiliation.
In this episode, we cover:
- How the Gentle Barn heals people and animals that have been abused
- Mary the Goat and the St. Louis Six
- Ellie’s book – My Gentle Barn: Creating a Sanctuary Where Animals Heal and Children Learn to Hope
- Dealing with compassion fatigue, burnout, and grief and loss
- Extending compassion to all to facilitate change
Resources:
http://www.gentlebarn.org/
My Gentle Barn: Creating a Sanctuary Where Animals Heal and Children Learn to Heal (affiliate)
Session 35 – Exploring Therapy with Tatiana Smith, LPC-S
Session 35 – Exploring Therapy with Tatiana Smith, LPC-S
Tatiana Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. She has experience helping individuals find freedom from depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, anger, addictions, and marital issues. Her specialty is walking couples through the process of finding happiness again within their marriage, focusing on communication, intimacy, and other relationship differences.
Tatiana gets joy out of seeing people accept themselves for who they are, loving themselves where they are and being OK with not being OK. She loves to see people accept their differences and walking into their greatness.
In this episode, we cover:
- Who needs therapy when you have friends and family?
- The role of a mental health counselor
- Counseling – a sign of strength
- Signs you might need therapy
- Therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists, oh my! What’s the difference?
- Why you can’t just rely on medication
- Demystifying the counseling process
- Insurance vs. private pay
- How to find the right therapist
Resources:
http://www.tsmithcounseling.com/
http://talkingoffthecouch.com/
http://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/
Session 34 – Compassion Fatigue in Animal Sheltering with Dr. Dena Mangiamele
Session 34 – Compassion Fatigue in Animal Sheltering with Dr. Dena Mangiamele
Dena Mangiamele DVM, MPVM, MFS, is an animal shelter and forensic veterinarian.
In 1995, she became the Chief Veterinarian for the City of Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulation. In 1998, she was awarded Shelter Veterinarian of the Year by the American Humane Association, and prior to her departure from Los Angeles to become the Director of San Diego County Animal Control, she received several Resolutions and Commendations by the Los Angeles City Council.
Dr. Mangiamele currently operates a veterinary consulting business working with animal sheltering agencies across the country to help them provide excellence in animal care and provide public safety to communities, writing agency Manuals of Policy and Procedure, and providing expert witness testimony in animal cruelty investigations, with specialization in dog fighting cases throughout the United States. She has also created a training division that provides classes for animal shelter employees on animal handling, medical care, and humane euthanasia. The division also provides classes for animal control officers and veterinary medical staff on conducting circus inspections and dog fighting investigations.
Dr. Mangiamele is the author of the best-selling book, Stray: A Shelter Veterinarian’s Reflection on Triumph and Tragedy, which shares her experiences working as the Chief Veterinarian in Los Angeles and takes the reader behind-the-scenes at one of the largest animal control agencies in the country.
Dr. Dena is a vegan athlete with great interest in nutrition and fitness. She also has entrepreneurial experience gained through the creation of a vegan/raw snack company that successfully provided products to Whole Foods Markets. She lives in San Diego with her husband (also a veterinarian) and their dog and cat children. She continues to write about her veterinary and animal experiences in the hope of raising awareness about pet overpopulation and how the responsible behavior of every person can reduce animal cruelty and suffering.
In this episode, we cover:
- Coming to terms with euthanasia
- The power of teamwork and looking out for one another
- Dealing with misguided anger and bullying from the public
- How Dr. Dena manages compassion fatigue
- Stray: A Shelter Veterinarian’s Reflection on Triumph and Tragedy
- Dena’s thank you to shelter staff
Resources:
Stray: A Shelter Veterinarian’s Reflection on Triumph and Tragedy by Dr. Dena Mangiamele (affiliate)
Link to:
Session 33 – Healthy Communication in the Workplace with Brian Mayer
Session 33 – Healthy Communication in the Workplace with Brian Mayer
Brian Mayer, MSW, is currently a resident therapist practicing in Richmond, Virginia. He specializes in working with couples to help them develop deeper friendships, communicate in healthier ways, and manage conflict. He has completed Levels one and two of the Gottman Method Couples Therapy which is known around the world as one of the most effective models of therapy to help couples move from distress to success. He also works with his wife in a volunteer team approach known as marriage mentoring to help couples work through similar issues in the comfort of a home setting. Brian also leads support groups and workshops on such topics as divorce support, boundary setting, building relationships, and mindfulness for depression and anxiety.
Prior to his career shift into couples therapy, Brian spent 20 years in the insurance and finance industry, including time at a Fortune 100 company in a management role. He is a past president of a local Toastmasters club, which helps people with public speaking. He has also led workshops on teaching people public speaking and helping people to learn healthier ways of communicating.
Brian is the host of a podcast called The Remarried Life. He interviews professionals and others on what it takes to build a healthy marriage and family for those who have experienced loss of a spouse through divorce or death.
In this episode, we cover:
- The consequences of poor communication
- The top three causes of workplace conflict
- What’s neuroplasticity got to do with it?
- Three ways to change your mindset
- How to communicate without saying a word
- How the four horsemen can contribute to workplace conflict
- Using reflective listening
- How effective communication can reduce stress and compassion fatigue
Resources:
http://www.brianmayertherapist.com/
http://www.theremarriedlife.com/
Session 32 – Special Announcement: Rescue Me! Retreat
Session 32 – Special Announcement: Rescue Me! Retreat
Welcome back to the compassion fatigue podcast. In case you’re joining us for the first time, we talk a lot about self-care on this show as a way to build resiliency and fight compassion fatigue. In order to practice my own self-care, I took a break from the show during the month of August. Not only did this help me to relax and recharge, but it also allowed me to get my creative juices flowing again. I’ve been tossing an idea around for a while now and I was able to really take some time to focus on it and I wanted to take the time today to share that idea with you, and because it’s something I’m creating specifically for you, I would love to have your input.
I’m going to be creating a retreat for animal caregivers, workers, and activists that focuses on managing compassion fatigue and burnout. I know a lot of us struggle with self-care and taking time out for ourselves, but this retreat is really going to be about learning to recharge your battery so that you can go back feeling relaxed and reconnected to your passion. Not only will you have the opportunity to slow down and take care of yourself, but you’ll also be surrounded by a small group of people that share that same passion for helping animals. So you’ll be given a safe space to talk about the some of the struggles that are inherent in animal welfare work, such as the stress, grief, guilt, and trauma that so many of you often face on a daily basis, and what you can do about it. We’ll laugh, we’ll cry. We’ll relax, we’ll have fun!
So you if you think that you might be interested in joining us next year for our first ever Rescue Me! Retreat, I would love to hear from you. Simply go to thecompassionfatiguepodcast.com/events where you can fill out a short interest form, to help me create the perfect retreat for you!
We’ll be back in full swing next week when I speak with my friend Brian Mayer on how to improve communication in the workplace.
Resources:
www.thecompassionfatiguepodcast.com/events
Session 31 – Muse: The Brain Sensing Headband with Ben Nachmani
Session 31 – Muse: The Brain Sensing Headband with Ben Nachmani
Ben Nachmani leads the Wellness and Performance program at InteraXon, a Toronto-based Neuro-Technology Company. He works with healthcare professionals, corporations, sports teams, and research institutions to bring Muse: the brain sensing headband to their demographics. Ben graduated from McGill University with a degree in Psychology and Marketing.
Muse is a brain sensing headband that makes meditation easier. Meditation has been proven to reduce stress and increase focus, but it can be hard to know if you’re doing it right. Muse provides you with real-time audio feedback on what’s happening in your brain when you meditate, letting you know when your mind wanders and teaching you to regain focus. Think of Muse as your personal guide to meditation as you journey toward a calmer and more present self.
In this episode, we cover:
- Muse: the brain sensing headband
- What does the headband measure?
- Meditation made easy with Muse
- How does Muse work?
- How can using Muse help with compassion fatigue?
- How often, and for how long, should you meditate?
- Using technology to relax – there’s an app for that
Resources:
Click here to get 15 percent off your Muse! (affiliate)
Session 30 – Personality and Temperament with Stacey Horn, LCSW, CCH
Session 30 – Personality and Temperament with Stacey Horn, LCSW, CCH
Stacey Horn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Hypnotist in Colorado. She received her Masters of Science in Social Administration at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences - Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio, in 1991.
Stacey is passionate about helping Introverts go beyond the “I” which is simply how someone restores their energy (with time alone and Introspection). She realized that one of her life missions is to help Introverts understand that if you stop at the I – and do not understand your temperament-inner design and core strengths – you are only getting one aspect of the whole picture!
Stacey currently works with individuals, groups, and companies to discover how their InnerKinetics are the foundations for a lasting solution to people problems and challenges, focusing on the individual’s core strengths and how those can benefit and strengthen the group.
In this episode, we cover:
- The difference between personality and temperament
- Alphabet soup – what your letters say about you
- Exploring introversion and extroversion
- How to manage compassion fatigue based on your temperament
- Does your personality determine your career path?
- Recharging your own unique battery
- Take your own free personality test
Resources:
www.staceyhorn.com
https://www.raywlincoln.com/temperament-key/#/intro
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
Session 29 – Relax with Guided Meditation
Session 29 – Relax with Guided Meditation
We wrap up our stress management mini-series with a 15-minute guided meditation. Enjoy!
In this episode, we cover:
- The difference between traditional meditation and guided meditation
- Slowing down to help with anxiety, stress, depression, insomnia, irritability, and tension.
- Guided exercise: guided meditation
Session 28 – Relax with Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Session 28 – Relax with Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Here’s another relaxation technique for you as we continue with our mini-series on stress management.
In this episode, we cover:
- Reducing stress, anxiety, insomnia, and more
- Getting in tune with your body in the present moment
- Helpful hints when doing the exercise
- Guided exercise: progressive muscle relaxation
Session 27 – Relax with Mindful Deep Breathing
Session 27 – Relax with Mindful Deep Breathing
Today is the first in a series of episodes dedicated to helping you relax in 15 minutes or less.
In this episode, we cover:
- The fight or flight response and its effect on the body
- Getting relief from stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and insomnia
- Is there a right and wrong way to breathe?
- Learning to relax and be in the moment in as little as five minutes a day
- Guided exercise: mindful deep breathing
Session 26 – Fight Compassion Fatigue by Getting Fit with Alex McBrairty
Session 26 – Fight Compassion Fatigue by Getting Fit with Alex McBrairty
Alex McBrairty is a professional fitness trainer, writer, and speaker on a mission to change the lives of those who want to improve their health. Utilizing his experience in the fitness industry, and his background in psychology, he aims to provide you with the tools necessary to not only reach your goals, but give you the power to maintain your progress—indefinitely.
In this episode, we cover:
- The mental health benefits of exercise
- How does physical activity help with stress, sleep, and other symptoms of compassion fatigue?
- Does the type of exercise matter?
- How often should you work out?
- Exercise versus antidepressants
- Finding the motivation to get started
- How to sneak in exercise throughout the day
Resources:
Session 25 – Animal Law with Our Hen House’s Mariann Sullivan
Session 25 – Animal Law with Our Hen House’s Mariann Sullivan
Mariann Sullivan is the host of the Animal Law Podcast and co-host of the Our Hen House Podcast. She is also a lawyer and lecturer in Law, teaching animal law, at Columbia Law School. She is the former chair of the Animal Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association and the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial Insurance Practice Section’s Animal Law Committee. She has published a number of articles on farmed animals and the law as well as the Animal Welfare Act and has spoken at numerous conferences and animal law related events throughout the country, and internationally. In addition to her current stint at Columbia she has taught animal law at Lewis & Clark Law School’s Center for Animal Law Studies, NYU Law School, Brooklyn Law School, and Cardozo Law School.
In this episode, we cover:
- Exploring the field of animal law
- The Animal Welfare Act: Why it’s not enough
- What is the future of animal law?
- Keeping hope alive in the face of cruelty
- Why everything you do matters
- The mission of Our Hen House
Resources:
www.ourhenhouse.com
Session 24 – How to Improve Sleep with Sovann Pen, LPC
Session 24 – How to Improve Sleep with Sovann Pen, LPC
Sovann Pen is a health coach and health educator with the Kaiser Permanente Health Engagement and Wellness Services Department. He is also a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Portland, OR. His professional interests include individual and marriage counseling, coaching, personality, emotional intelligence, leadership, parenting, sleep disorders, burnout and addiction.
Sovann has been married for 22 years, has three children ages 12 through 20, enjoys time with family, church activities, reading, training/coaching martial arts, and watching sports.
In the past, he coordinated the Kaiser Permanente Insomnia Clinic and instructed students in the counseling department at Western Seminary. Over the past 21 years, he has talked with hundreds of people individually and in groups about sleep in his work as a research assistant, sleep technologist, CPAP specialist, Insomnia group instructor, counselor, and coach.
In this episode, we cover:
- The consequences of sleep deprivation
- The different types of insomnia
- How much sleep should you get?
- How negative sleep thoughts affect our ability to get ZZZs
- What contributes to sleep problems?
- Developing healthy sleep habits
- When is it time to get professional help?
Resources:
http://www.anewdaycounseling.org/
Say Goodnight to Insomnia (affiliate)
The Insomnia Answer (affiliate)
The Promise of Sleep (affiliate)
Session 23 – Sustainable Activism with Lisa Levinson of In Defense of Animals
Session 23 – Sustainable Activism with Lisa Levinson of In Defense of Animals
Lisa Levinson is the Director of In Defense of Animals’ (IDA) Sustainable Activism Campaign, a trained movement therapist, museum exhibit designer, and mosaic artist. Lisa promotes self-care for animal activists through IDA’s Animal Activist Support Services, including a helpline, support groups, and online events. She also organizes local Vegan Spirituality Groups and regional retreats to explore veganism as a spiritual practice. She co-founded Public Eye: Artists for Animals to teach compassion for animals through the arts and founded the Toad Detour to help migrating toads safely cross the road in Philly.
In this episode, we cover:
- In Defense of Animals: Helping animals, people, and the planet
- Free resources available to animal activists
- Staying sane through sustainable activism
- Lisa’s own struggle with compassion fatigue
- Getting political: How to survive the next four years
Resources:
www.idausa.org/campaign/sustainable-activism/
Contact Lisa at sustainableactivism@idausa.org
Animal Activist Support Line: 800-705-0425
Session 22 – The Power of Walking with Clay Cockrell, LCSW
Session 22 – The Power of Walking with Clay Cockrell, LCSW
Clay Cockrell, LCSW is a therapist based in New York City and is the founder of several counseling oriented endeavors. Most recently he is the founder of Onlinecounseling.com – a listing directory with the mission of helping clients all over the world to find the therapist that will best meet their needs. The site also works through their educational resources and podcasts to help counselors work online in an ethical, responsible and legal manner. A majority of proceeds from the site are donated to non-profit arts.
Clay started his career as the creator of Walk and Talk Therapy. Instead of meeting in a traditional office, he conducts counseling sessions while walking through Central Park in NY. He has found that movement when associated with therapy is incredibly effective in allowing the healing and growth process that is so critical to the therapeutic journey. He consults with therapists all over the world to bring this innovative approach to their own practices.
Six years ago, Clay began his journey into the online world by the creation of Online Marital Counseling. He works with couples all over the world via online counseling to improve and/or salvage their broken relationships. It is incredibly valuable when the couple is living apart or having scheduling issues that prevent them from engaging in traditional couples counseling.
Originally from Kentucky, Clay moved to New York City with his wife in 1997. He has been featured on ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN and NPR, as well as in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, WebMD, and The Times of London. Most recently he was featured on CBS’s The Doctor’s.
In this episode, we cover:
- The mental health benefits of walking
- Walking in nature verses indoors
- The power of disconnecting and being mindful
- How often should you walk?
- Walking: nature’s antidepressant
- What is Walk and Talk therapy?
Resources:
Session 21 – SMART: Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team with Justin Zimmerman
Session 21 – SMART: Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team with Justin Zimmerman
Justin Zimmerman, MFA in Film, is a nationally recognized writer, filmmaker, and professor. His narrative and documentary work has appeared in film festivals across the globe and has been broadcast on national public television, where he won two international television awards. He's also been the recipient of multiple grants and fellowships, and his script and comic work have been optioned on multiple occasions.
Zimmerman's first festival film appearance was in 2001. Since then his work has appeared in fests across the world and in almost every state, winning numerous awards. His projects have also been distributed worldwide, including his feature length documentary SMART: Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team.
In this episode, we cover:
- Discover the Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team
- What inspired Justin to make a film about SMART
- Why animal rescue is a societal responsibility
- Shedding light on compassion fatigue
- How the film is affecting social change
- Laugh. Cry. Get Involved!
- Where to view the film
Resources:
Session 20 – Healing with Reiki featuring Dr. Sally Nazari
Session 20 – Healing with Reiki featuring Dr. Sally Nazari
Dr. Sally Nazari is a New York-based licensed clinical psychologist and Reiki Master Teacher. She’s passionate about helping people eliminate pain and fear from their lives and building a life they want to celebrate.
Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and helpful feedback to assist people in effectively addressing personal life challenges. She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques along with scientifically sound methods to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. Trained as an integrationist, Sally is an interactive, solution-focused licensed psychologist who also provides Reiki healing sessions. Reiki has been valued as a complement to psychotherapy and in alleviating depression, anxiety, effects of trauma, and reducing stress.
Sally is well published in high-caliber peer reviewed journals and has been sought out to provide professional presentations at international conferences and within the community. In fact, brining greater understanding to the community is what compelled her to launch the Beyond the Couch podcast.
In this episode, we cover:
- What is reiki therapy?
- The various styles of reiki
- What can you expect from a typical reiki session?
- The many physical and mental benefits of reiki
- How reiki helps with stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout
- How to find a practitioner and what to look for
- Reiki for your pets too!
Resources:
Session 19 – The Science of Empathy with Dr. Marc Bekoff
Session 19 – The Science of Empathy with Dr. Marc Bekoff
Marc Bekoff, PhD, is professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and co-founder with Jane Goodall of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. He has won many awards for his scientific research including the Exemplar Award from the Animal Behavior Society and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Marc has published more than 1000 essays (popular, scientific, and book chapters), 30 books, and has edited three encyclopedias.
His books include the Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare, The Ten Trusts (with Jane Goodall); the Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior; the Encyclopedia of Human-Animal Relationships; Minding Animals; Animal Passions and Beastly Virtues: Reflections on Redecorating Nature; The Emotional Lives of Animals; Animals Matter; Animals at Play: Rules of the Game (a children's book); Wild Justice: The Moral Lives of Animals(with Jessica Pierce); The Animal Manifesto: Six Reasons For Increasing Our Compassion Footprint; Ignoring Nature No More: The Case For Compassionate Conservation; Jasper's Story: Saving Moon Bears (with Jill Robinson); Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed: The Fascinating Science of Animal Intelligence; Emotions, Friendship, and Conservation; and Rewilding Our Hearts: Building Pathways of Compassion and Coexistence. The Jane Effect: Celebrating Jane Goodall (edited with Dale Peterson) was published in February 2015 and The Animals' Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age (with Jessica Pierce) was published last month. In early 2018, Canine Confidential: An Insider’s Guide to the Best Lives For Dogs and Us also will be published.
In 2005 Marc was presented with The Bank One Faculty Community Service Award for the work he has done with children, senior citizens, and prisoners. In 2009 he was presented with the St. Francis of Assisi Award by the New Zealand SPCA. In 1986 Marc became the first American to win his age-class at the Tour du Haut Var bicycle race (also called the Master's/age-graded Tour de France).
In this episode, we cover:
- The difference between empathy and compassion
- Are we inherently empathic?
- The science behind mirror neurons
- Why do some people seem to have more empathy than others?
- Exploring eco-grief and how it relates to compassion fatigue
- Recharging: How Marc combats his own compassion fatigue
- An inside look at Marc’s new, must-read book, The Animal’s Agenda
Resources:
Animal Emotions Blog (links to https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions)
The Animals’ Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age with co-author Jessica Pierce (affiliate)
Session 18 – Exploring Organization Compassion Fatigue with Julie Squires
Session 18 – Exploring Organization Compassion Fatigue with Julie Squires
Julie Squires is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist who brings a unique perspective and approach to support the sustained energy and passion of those exposed to the highly stressful and traumatic environment of animal welfare, veterinary medicine, lab animal research and animal rescue . She does this in a very distinct way, by empowering them to help themselves through easy-to-implement yet powerful, practices and insights.
Julie has more than 25 years of experience within the veterinary industry leading organizations, developing and executing training, workshops and one-on-one coaching, most notably for Nestlé Purina, Bayer Animal Health and IDEXX Laboratories. She is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist through the Traumatology Institute. Julie’s clients also gain from her training and experience as a Certified Wellbeing Coach and Corporate Wellness Coach.
Her company, Rekindle LLC, offers on-site seminars, workshops and private coaching, and is the result of the need Julie saw to help professionals and staff maintain their wellbeing and mental health. Julie lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with her husband John, pugs Ernie and Mabel and Gregg and Duane, their two cats.
In this episode, we cover:
- Julie’s path to becoming a compassion fatigue coach and her own experience with addictions and eating disorders
- Is compassion fatigue contagious?
- The symptoms of organizational compassion fatigue
- How compassion fatigue contributes to a toxic work environment and the quality of care we provide to animals
- What leadership and management can do about compassion fatigue
- The cost of not dealing with compassion fatigue
- Take the 10-minute self-care challenge
Resources:
julie@rekindlesolutions.com
Session 17 – Battling Addictions and Compulsive Behaviors with Dr. Nazanin Moali
Session 17 – Battling Addictions and Compulsive Behaviors with Dr. Nazanin Moali
Dr. Moali is a clinical psychologist and the founder of Oasis 2 Care. She is an addiction specialist practicing Los Angeles, California, who is passionate about providing effective treatment and meaningful resources to individuals who are struggling with eating disorders and compulsive behaviors. Dr. Moali has received extensive training in treatment of eating disorders and addiction from some of the nation’s leading experts.
In addition to her clinical practice, she is a founder and host of two Sexology podcasts in Farsi and English which feature insightful interviews and engaging facts and stories about our sexuality and wellness.
In this episode, we cover:
- What is the difference between addiction and compulsions?
- How addiction works in the brain
- Exploring different types of addiction and compulsions
- Beyond drugs and alcohol: When eating, sex, and Facebook become a problem
- Could you or someone you know be at risk for addiction or compulsive behaviors?
- The consequences of addiction and compulsive behaviors
- Getting the help you need and learning natural, healthy coping skills
Resources:
Session 16 – Healing with Art Therapy Featuring Lanie Smith, MPS, ATR
Session 16 – Healing with Art Therapy Featuring Lanie Smith, MPS, ATR
Lanie Smith, MPS, ATR is a Registered Art Therapist and owner of Integrative Art Therapy as well as co-founder of Matters of the Heart Retreats for Couples. She has worked with a variety of clinical populations in numerous settings for more than eight years. Lanie’s work began with the National Institute of Health researching the efficacy of art therapy with trauma resulting in two scholarly publications to support her field.
Lanie has a true passion for combining art and nature to help individuals, groups, and couples connect deeply to themselves, their partners, and their natural creativity, and she has developed Environmental Art Therapy programming for sustainable practice at numerous inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community sites throughout the greater Phoenix area. Lanie currently specializes in supporting other helping professionals in both behavioral and allied health to cultivate creative and compassionate self-care as burnout prevention including the healing power of relationships to self, nature, and others. She provides individual and group Eco-Art Therapy as well as couples retreats, workshops, trainings, and supervision to support the ethical use of art in therapy to address unresolved personal traumas that prevent wholeness and healing within the practitioner.
In this episode, we cover:
• What is art therapy?
• How art therapy can help with symptoms of compassion fatigue and burnout
• Processing grief and trauma by connecting with the natural world
• Why you can benefit from art therapy, even if you’re not creative
• Healing with creativity with or without a therapist
• How artistic endeavors change the brain in positive ways
Resources:
https://integrativearttherapy.net/
Session 15 – From Compassion Fatigue to Satisfaction with Mike Dicks, PhD
Session 15 – From Compassion Fatigue to Satisfaction with Mike Dicks, PhD
Dr. Mike Dicks is currently the Director of Veterinary Economics with the American Veterinary Medical Association. The Veterinary Economics Division has been tasked with improving the efficiency of veterinary markets and the profitability of veterinary practices.
Dr. Dicks served on the faculty of Oklahoma State University for 24 years as Director of International Trade and Development and the Great Plains Agricultural Policy Center. He has assisted farm and commodity groups, environmental groups, federal and state agencies, and Congress and foreign governments in developing food and agriculture policy, small business and community development, small scale water and energy production. He currently owns several businesses including a bed and breakfast, consulting firms, and a real estate firm.
Dr. Dicks earned a BS in biochemistry and animal science from California Polytechnic State University, and an MS and PhD in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri. He has authored more than 480 books, book chapters, journal articles, Congressional testimonies, and professional papers.
In this episode, we cover:
- Measuring burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction
- What is secondary traumatic stress?
- The high rate of suicide in animal welfare workers
- Risk factors for compassion fatigue
- Dicks’ own experience with compassion fatigue and burnout
- Cultivating compassion satisfaction
Resources:
www.avma.org (link to https://www.avma.org/Events/Symposiums/Pages/Michael-Dicks-PhD.aspx)
Professional Quality of Life Scale (link to http://www.proqol.org/ProQol_Test.html)
Session 14 – Maintaining Healthy Intimate Relationships with Dr. Kia James
Session 14 – Maintaining Healthy Intimate Relationships with Dr. Kia James
Dr. Kia James is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Laurel, Maryland. She is the host of the podcast Relationship Boosters. When providing counseling services, Kia recognized that one major factor bringing individuals to counseling was related to problems in their intimate relationships. She has since been interested in helping couples develop an extraordinary relationship. Her belief is that you can always work to make your relationship better. Dr. James provides counseling services, workshops, and events for couples. Her passion is to help couples strengthen their relationship to build healthy happy families.
In this episode, we cover:
- How stress can impact our intimate relationships
- Creating work/life boundaries and mentally clocking out
- Getting understanding and support from your partner
- Improving communication skills in your relationship
- Keeping romance alive even when you’re tired
- Should you seek professional help?
Resources:
www.therelationshipboosters.com
The Relationship Boosters Podcast
Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love
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Session 13 – Compassion Fatigue and Trap-Neuter-Return with Stacy LeBaron
Session 13 – Compassion Fatigue and Trap-Neuter-Return with Stacy LeBaron
Stacy LeBaron has been involved in animal welfare for more 20 years. She currently hosts a three-day-a-week podcast called The Community Cats Podcast, where she interviews nationally and internationally renowned experts helping with the problem of cat over population and cat welfare.
Previous to starting the podcast, Stacy served for 16 years as President of the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society (MRFRS). Since the organization’s founding in 1992, the MRFRS has assisted over 105,000 cats and kittens through a variety of innovative programs. Among the MRFRS’s programs are two mobile spay/neuter clinics, known as the Catmobiles, and an adoption center in Salisbury, MA.
Stacy currently lives in Vermont with her husband, son and daughter, and two cats, Hooch and Misha.
In this episode, we cover:
- Helping both cats and people through community programs
- The positive impact of trap-neuter-return programs
- How compassion fatigue can affect volunteers
- Stacy’s personal experience with compassion fatigue
- Sharing stories of hope with The Community Cats Podcast
- How to stay resilient as a volunteer
Resources:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-community-cats-podcast/id1125752101?mt=2
Session 12 – Using Aromatherapy to Fight Compassion Fatigue with Mary Mitus, RN, MSN, CCAP
Session 12 – Using Aromatherapy to Fight Compassion Fatigue with Mary Mitus, RN, MSN, CCAP
Health Everlasting was born out of Mary’s passion for nature and her conviction that our natural state of being is healthy and joyful. Nicknamed “Nature Girl” Mary absolutely loves flower gardening and working with essential oils and essences. In 2002, she completed the RJ Buckle Clinical Aromatherapy for Health Professionals program and became certified.
Mary Mitus is an advanced practice nurse, having earned her master's degree in 1988 from Grand Valley State University in Michigan. Mary spent the first 10 years of her career in hospital and home care administration. Since then she has focused on holistic health, esoteric teachings, energy-based therapies, and aromatherapy. She is a Registered Nurse, Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner, Reiki Master, Flower Essence Practitioner, and Health Coach.
Mary is a member of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy and the Flower Essence Society.
In this podcast, we cover:
- What is aromatherapy?
- Using essential oils for relaxation, stress relief, sleep, anxiety, depression, and boosting energy
- The different ways to use essential oils
- Where to find essential oils
Resources
www.healtheverlasting.net
Session 11 – Compassion Fatigue in Animal Care and Control with Rob Leinberger
Session 11 – Compassion Fatigue in Animal Care and Control with Rob Leinberger
Rob C. Leinberger, Jr. is the president of the National Animal Care & Control Association. He has an “amazing girlfriend,” two children, a dog, a cockatiel, a bearded dragon, and a red-footed tortoise. He’s an Eagle Scout and worked as a veterinary assistant during high school. In December 1991, he became an Animal Control Officer for Chesterfield County. Rob joined Richmond Animal Care and Control in January 2016 as the Animal Control Supervisor. He teaches an animal control basic course for new animal control officers in the region.
Rob has an Associate’s Degree in Police Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management. In 2011, he completed a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management at the University of Richmond. In October 2009, he was elected to the board of directors for the Virginia Animal Control Association and currently serves as its Past President. In September 2012, Rob joined the board of directors for the National Animal Care and Control Association and currently serves as President.
In this episode, we cover:
- How stress can impact our intimate relationships
- Creating work/life boundaries and mentally clocking out
- Getting understanding and support from your partner
- Improving communication skills in your relationship
- Keeping romance alive even when you’re tired
- Should you seek professional help?
Resources:
http://www.nacanet.org/
RLeinberger@nacanet.org
Session 10 – How to Set Healthy Boundaries with Sharon Martin, LCSW
Session 10 – How to Set Healthy Boundaries with Sharon Martin, LCSW
Sharon Martin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice in San Jose, CA. She's also a writer, speaker, and media contributor on emotional health and relationships. Her psychotherapy practice specializes in helping individuals struggling with perfectionism, codependency, and people-pleasing. Her own struggle to overcome perfectionism inspired her passion for helping others learn to accept and love themselves. Sharon is the author of the workbook Setting Boundaries without Guilt and she writes a popular blog called Happily Imperfect for PsychCentral.com.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why do we struggle with boundaries?
- The consequences of not setting limits
- Exploring different types of boundaries
- Healthy versus unhealthy boundaries
- How setting boundaries can reduce compassion fatigue and burnout
- Developing healthy boundaries without feeling guilty or selfish
Resources:
www.livewellwithsharonmartin.com
Session 9 – Compassion Fatigue among Pet Sitters with Holly C. Cook
Michigan native Holly C. Cook is an award winning professional pet sitter/dog walker and owner of Special Pet Care Services, LLC. Currently living in Seattle with her family, her two dogs and her two cats, Holly authored a book called My End of the Leash: Compassion Fatigue from a Pet Sitter's Perspective. Shortly afterwards, Holly became a certified Compassion Fatigue Educator through the University of Tennessee School Of Veterinary Social Work in 2016.
While she continues to research and study, Holly is compelled to reach out to the pet sitting industry to educate hardworking business owners about burnout and compassion fatigue, how to tell the difference between the two, and how to rebound from each affliction.
In My End of the Leash, Holly looks at burnout and compassion fatigue from the perspective of an award winning pet sitter. The book provides insight into compassion fatigue and how overwhelming it can become. Holly shares her own personal struggle with compassion fatigue and how she learned about self-care and resiliency in order to recover. This is a must read for any pet sitter, anyone who loves pets, anyone who cares for pets, or anyone in a caring profession.
In this podcast, we cover:
- How childhood trauma strengthened Holly’s connection to animals
- Holly’s first pet sitting job: Saturdays with Sparky
- Holly shares her struggle with compassion fatigue
- Grief and trauma in pet sitting
- How the healing process led to writing a book
- The difference between compassion fatigue and burnout
Resources
Episode 8 – Is it Compassion Fatigue… or Depression?
While everyone gets the occasional blues, sometimes sadness can become so overwhelming that it disrupts our lives – our work, relationships, and personal well-being begin to suffer. Although you may feel alone, depression affects roughly 10 percent of the population. It is more common in women; however, depression knows no boundaries, and affects people from all walks of life. There is no shame in having depression, and it is actually one of the most treatable conditions! In today’s solo episode, I talk about the differences – and similarities – between compassion fatigue and depression.
In this episode, we cover:
- Compassion fatigue versus depression
- The symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder
- Causes of depression
- The benefits of counseling and how to find a good therapist
- Natural treatments for depression
Resources:
www.deepwatermichigan.com
www.psychologytoday.com
www.theravive.com
www.goodtherapy.org
www.onlinecounselling.com
www.vegan-therapist.com
Episode 7 – The Role of Nutrition in Compassion Fatigue with Vicki Brett-Gach
Vicki Brett-Gach is a Certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator and a Certified Personal Chef. As a personal vegan coach, educator, and consultant, Vicki works closely with individual clients ready to make smarter, healthier, and more compassionate food choices. She shares effective strategies, transitional tools, and customized recipes that help establish and support new healthy habits – one delicious meal at a time. Her specialty is creating, testing, and refining recipes for simple, nutritious, and fabulous low-fat vegan food, with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, all designed to improve health and increase energy.
Vicki contributed content (on the topic of nourishing mind and body) to Jennifer Blough’s book To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior. She is a regular contributor to Barefoot Vegan Magazine, the official publication of the Barefoot Vegan Farm and Sanctuary in southwestern France, and her recipes are featured in Vegan Magazine, Honest Cooking, and The Vegan Friends Cookbook, a collaborative collection of original recipes from vegan chefs around the globe. Vicki is also the owner of Ann Arbor Vegan Kitchen in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In this episode, we cover:
- How what we eat impacts our mental state
- Avoiding the “pleasure trap” of junk foods
- Beating the blues with food
- How good nutrition can calm the mind and fight stress and anxiety
- The impact of diet on sleep
- Setting the tone of the day and improving energy
Resources:
Episode 6 – Recognizing Compassion Fatigue at Work with Tad Coles, DVM, MRSS-P, CCFP
Dr. Tad Coles is a veterinarian and is certified as a Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP) and Missouri Recovery Support Specialist – Peer (MRSS-P). He consults with organizations and coaches individuals about prevention of and recovery from compassion fatigue, burnout, and substance use disorder. His experience includes 25 years of continuous personal recovery from substance use disorder.
For more than 20 years Dr. Coles has worked as a Monthly Monitoring Group Leader for a non-profit, confidential organization that monitors a variety of health-care professionals, such as chiropractors, dentists, and nurses, recovering from addiction or other impairment. He founded Compassion Fatigue Coach in 2016, and also practices veterinary medicine part-time and works as a medical writer. Dr. Coles is located in Overland Park, Kansas.
In this episode, we cover:
- Tad’s personal struggle with compassion fatigue, burnout, depression, and substance abuse
- The difference between compassion fatigue and burnout
- The importance of self-care in “other-directed” people
- Signs versus symptoms in compassion fatigue
- Helping co-workers and employees struggling with compassion fatigue
Resources:
Episode 5 – Mindfulness and Self-Compassion with Jen Perry, MA, MSEd, LPC
Jen is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mindfulness Teacher, and Peaceful Parenting Coach. In her practice, Heartfulness Consulting, she specializes in helping people relate to themselves, their lives, and the people they share life with more compassionately. She helps anxious teens and adults who have a harsh inner critic learn to motivate themselves in more supportive ways. She also enjoys her work with parents who want to parent mindfully but find themselves triggered by anger and guilt to learn how to parent in peaceful and empowering ways.
Jen received a Master of Science in Education from The University Of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education in 2000 were she focused on adolescents, school counseling, and LGBTQ concerns. After working in the field for several years she returned to continue her studies, specifically mindfulness meditation and its clinical applications and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy at LaSalle University and received a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology in 2006.
Her office is located in The Resiliency Center of the Flourtown Commons, conveniently located between Philadelphia and Ft. Washington, PA. Peaceful Parent Coaching is also available nationally as it is phone and online-based.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why is self-care so important?
- The three dimensions of self-care
- What is the practice of mindfulness?
- How mindfulness can help with compassion fatigue
- Easy ways to incorporate mindfulness into your life
- The anchor meditation
Resources:
Episode 4 – Combating Compassion Fatigue in Wildlife Conservation with James Trever
James Trever is a Vietnam veteran who is devoting his retirement years to conserving wildlife. He is a member of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and has more than two decades of experience rehabbing and releasing gray squirrels and prairie dogs.
While living in North Carolina, Jim provided foster care for five prairie dogs he rescued from local pet shops. When he moved to New Mexico, Jim became involved with the non-profit organization Prairie Dog Pals in 2011, where he aided in the rescue and release of 866 prairie dogs that year and many more since. Jim also provides outreach education and foster care for prairie dogs.
In this episode, we cover:
- The importance of prairie dogs to the eco-system
- Jim’s role with the non-profit organization Prairie Dog Pals
- Wildlife rehabilitation and the human-animal bond
- Dealing with grief and loss in end-of-life care
- Compassion fatigue in conservation
Resources:
Episode 3 – Eliminating Economic Euthanasia with Alan Abrams
Alan Abrams is the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of The Dr. Steve Abrams Memorial Foundation – Pet Savers, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides grants to pet parents who are facing possible euthanasia due to financial restraints.
Dr. Steven G. Abrams (Alan’s father and for whom the foundation is named), passed away in 2008 after practicing veterinary medicine for more than 50 years. He never euthanized a patient simply because the clients could not afford a procedure or treatment. In his memory, and in keeping with his love of companion animals the veterinary profession, his family established the foundation in hopes of one day eradicating euthanasia as an option for patients who could be otherwise be treated.
A veterinary practice management consultant and professional for more than 30 years, Alan is the proud father of Sara, Zac (Heather), Dylan, and Tyler.
In this episode, we cover:
- The impact of economic euthanasia on staff members
- How common is economic euthanasia?
- The Dr. Steve Abrams Memorial Foundation – Pet Savers
- Economic euthanasia and compassion fatigue
- How veterinarians and others can help
Resources:
Episode 2 – The Human-Animal Bond with Dr. Carrie La Jeunesse
As the owner of LaJeune Consulting, Dr. Carolyn La Jeunesse works across the biomedical, social, and behavioral sciences. As a veterinarian, she practiced primarily small companion animal emergency and critical care medicine for 30 years. She works internationally to advance health, wellbeing, and security for people and animals around the world.
Dr. La Jeunesse is certified in thanatology (death/dying/bereavement) and compassion fatigue education, and is a commissioned spiritual director. Through her private practice, she works with individuals, organizations, and communities on psychosocial trauma mastery, bereavement and loss, conflict transformation, and spiritual care.
Dr. La Jeunesse currently serves on the Council of Advisors for the One Health Commission. Her prior service includes leadership and advising roles for numerous non-profit organizations, including the American Veterinary Association, the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinarians Without Borders US, Veterinarians International, the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research, and the Global Health Response and Resilience Alliance.
In this episode, we cover:
- Carrie’s experience with compassion stress
- The significance of the human-animal bond
- The impact of grief and loss
- The importance of a personal self-care program
- Getting the support you need
- How employers can help fight compassion fatigue
Resources:
Episode 1 – What is Compassion Fatigue?
I wanted to take the opportunity to kick off this podcast with a solo episode focusing on what compassion fatigue looks like, particularly in the animal welfare/care/rights community.
In this episode, we cover:
- The difference between compassion fatigue and burnout
- Symptoms of compassion fatigue
- Who is affected by compassion fatigue?
- What to expect in future episodes
- Who is this podcast for?
Episode 0 – Welcome and What to Expect
Hi, I’m Jen! I am a licensed professional counselor, certified compassion fatigue therapist, and certified pet loss grief specialist. I own a private practice in southeast Michigan called Deepwater Counseling, where I, along with a small team of therapists, help people who feel different, disconnected, and discouraged to discover their strengths, accept themselves, and live authentic lives. My background is in animal welfare and I have a passion for working with those in the field struggling with compassion fatigue.