“Compassion Fatigue” ~ Barbara Faracchio MS Interviewed by Loretta Depka Zerbo, Executive Director

The selfless compassion and empathy shown by healthcare, emergency and animal providers can prove to be physically, mentally, and emotionally costly. People (usually medical workers) face compassion fatigue as a result of an extended period of exposure to the pain, trauma or distress of their patients or clients. This chronic stress can negatively impact their own mental and physical health, as well as their relationships with loved ones, and the people and animals in their care. Barbara Faracchio, MS, LPC, LCADC, discussed the signs of compassion fatigue, who it typically affects, the challenges brought on by exposure to long-term distress, and strategies for dealing with compassion fatigue in this podcast. Barbara is a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor in New Jersey.  Barbara practices trauma-informed counseling and has experience working with clients who are in recovery, survivors of childhood sexual and physical abuse, codependency, dysfunctional family systems, compassion fatigue, grief and loss, anxiety and relationship conflicts. 0:00 Introduction 1:40 Quote 2:34 What is Compassion Fatigue? 4:29 Medical Personnel- How Do They Cope? 6:10 How Does Burnout Fit In? 8:10 How to Identify Symptoms 10:43 Self Medicating 11:59 How Does Compassion Fatigue Affect the Brain? 13:20 How to Help Yourself- Healing and Being Proactive 20:00 Meditation Doesn’t Work?- Try This 22:20 How to Deal With Compassion Fatigue in Someone You Love- Breaking the Cycle 27:20 Simple Things to Do 29:30 Witnessing the Breath 31:12 Walking Meditation 32:56 Wrap Up The Starting Point Website: https://startingpoint.org/ The Founder of The Starting Point Vince DiPasquale’s YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/c/VinceDiPasquale/featured To Donate Please Visit: https://startingpoint.org/todays-donation/ For Live & Virtual Meetings Please Visit The Starting Point Calendar: https://startingpoint.org/calendar/