Compassion Fatigue Therapy in Bergen County
Caring for others
can be exhausting
Show yourself some TLC
Many of us in the helping or caregiving professions tend to be empaths. We go about our day tuned into the needs and emotions of those we care for, not thinking about how our jobs are impacting us physically and mentally. Then all of a sudden, we notice we’re running on empty, have lost our passion for work, are preoccupied with those we care for, or are experiencing second-hand trauma. Say hello to compassion fatigue. This is what happens when we give our hearts and minds to the job and ignore self-care. As therapists, we are in the healing profession ourselves and understand what you’re going through. We’re also trained to help you cope and recover so you can experience mental and physical wellness again.
People in the Helping Professions Tend to Neglect Themselves
Compassion fatigue is an occupational hazard for those in the helping professions – such as healthcare professionals, frontline workers, social workers, teachers, and therapists – who dedicate their lives to aiding others. It’s quite common to hit empathy overload and feel drained, numb, and void of emotion. This happens because you’re so dialed into others’ pain that you neglect to focus on your own needs. We’ll help you restore your body and mind, reclaim your purpose, and once again find passion in your career.
Are You Experiencing Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue?
- You no longer enjoy your job and think about quitting
- You feel physically and mentally exhausted
- You have trouble sleeping
- You have frequent nightmares
- You’re more irritable than usual
- You feel numb
- You have increased feelings of anger or overwhelm
- You feel lost or a sense of hopelessness
- You feel lonely
- You can’t seem to control your emotions
- You have trouble concentrating
- You have intrusive images of those you care for
- You have headaches, stomach aches, and other aches or pains
- Your heart races
- You have an upset stomach
- You are neglecting friends and relationships
- You feel anxious
- You feel sad
- You have experienced an increase or decrease in appetite
If this sounds like you, don’t lose hope. With the help of therapy you can feel better.
Love Your Job Again
Being affected by your work goes hand-in-hand with being in a caregiving profession, but when you start to feel overwhelmed with physical and mental fatigue, you can end up hating your job. You may start to resent all the demands placed on you by those you care for. Your capacity for empathy has reached its limit. You’re ready to quit and move on – but that isn’t necessarily the answer. With the right tools and techniques, you can combat compassion fatigue and rediscover the love you had for your job. We’ll help you sort through your emotions and teach you strategies to deal with the stressors and achieve a balance of caring for others and yourself.
Learn How to Put Yourself First
The airlines advise you to put on your own oxygen mask before you help others. This message extends way beyond travel safety to all of life, and especially to those in the helping and caregiving professions. You are used to putting everyone’s needs above your own, but that must stop. You cannot effectively take care of others if your energy levels are depleted. During your sessions, you’ll learn to prioritize self-care so you can heal and build resilience. We’ll also teach you how to identify the triggers that can cause you to start experiencing compassion fatigue, along with tools and techniques for successfully navigating them.
Therapy Can Help You Recover and Restore
Working together, we’ll help you once again experience joy and a passion for what you do. We offer a safe space for you to explore your feelings and gain a new perspective. Our goal is to empower you to take control by teaching you to become aware of the warning signs and how to care for yourself first, so you have the mental and physical energy to care for others the way we know you want to.
During your sessions, we’ll help you:
- Restore compassion and empathy
- Recover physically and emotionally
- Prioritize self-care
- Set boundaries
- Identify your personal compassion fatigue triggers
- Build a better work-life balance
You deserve to give yourself the same compassion you give everyone else. There is a way to care for others and yourself – we’ll show you how.
