Treating Compassion Fatigue

In recent years, much has occurred in the field of traumatology, including the widening of the audience and the awareness of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). This book from celebrated traumatology pioneer Charles Figley, further clarifies the concept of compassion fatigue through theory, research, and treatment. The basic thesis of this book is the identification, assessment, and treatment of compassion fatigue and this is done over eleven chapters, each from distinguished researchers in the field.

Helping the traumatized can be quite traumatizing.

Compassion Fatigue is the latest in an evolving concept known in the field of traumatology as Secondary Traumatic Stress, or the stress experienced by caregivers. At focus in this volume are the assessment, treatment and prevention of Compassion Fatigue.

Through examination of contemporary theory and research, leaders in the field come together to further clarify the concept of Compassion Fatigue. Case studies address the trauma of working with special populations such as children, victims of terrorism, and major disaster survivors. New and innovative treatment methods offer comprehensive plans for recovery from burnout and the prevention strategies provided will be of use to those in the helping professions. Treating Compassion Fatigue will bring to light the "cost of caring" for those in emotional distress, allowing professionals to fully prosper in their compassionate efforts.

Charles Figley, Ph.D., is a pioneer in the field of trauma studies. He is the Director of the Traumatology Institute and the founding Director of the Green Cross Projects in the School of Social Work at Florida State University. He is the founding president of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, the founding editor of the Journal of Traumatic Stress and editor of Traumatology. Among Dr. Figley's numerous publications are The Traumatology of Grieving (1998) and the benchmark work, Compassion Fatigue: Coping With Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder in Those Who Treat the Traumatized (1995).