Sustaining the Work - and Ourselves
In the helping professions, we hold the privilege and the weight of walking alongside people who are hurting. We sit with their stories, their fears, their hopes, and their traumas. Because our work is meaningful, it can take a toll on us in ways we rarely acknowledge. What we don’t acknowledge, we cannot name - or address.
What Is Compassion Fatigue?
Compassion fatigue (sometimes called secondary traumatic stress) shows up when we’ve been exposed to others’ pain for a long time without enough space, support, or recovery. When we consistently lean into empathy, we also absorb the emotional weight of the work. If we don’t have ways to release that weight, it can build until we feel exhausted, numb, irritable, or less present with the people we serve. None of this means we’re doing anything wrong. It means we’re human, and our humanity needs care.
Why Self-Care Isn’t Optional
Caring for ourselves isn’t a luxury in helping work; it’s part of our ethical responsibility. When we notice the early signs of compassion fatigue, we protect our well-being and the quality of support we offer. Self-care helps us restore our energy, reconnect with our purpose, and build resilience, allowing us to keep showing up from a grounded, healthy place.
The Compassion Fatigue Self-Test
Dr. Charles Figley, one of the leading voices in trauma and compassion fatigue research, developed a simple self-assessment that helps individuals check in with themselves. The tool measures how often and how intensely we experience common symptoms of compassion fatigue - emotionally, physically, and behaviorally. It’s not a diagnosis; it’s a mirror. It helps us see where we are so we can take the next right step.
(Download the Compassion Fatigue Self-Test HERE.)
After the Test Comes Action
Once you complete the self-test, the real work is noticing what it tells you and choosing one or two small steps toward steadiness and care. Here are a few places to start:
Self-reflection and mindfulness: Journaling, breathwork, meditation - anything that helps you slow down and reconnect with yourself.
Boundaries and pacing: Saying no when something isn’t aligned, pausing to respond and not react, or carving out time for rest is not selfish. It’s protective and professional.
Support systems: Peers, supervisors, mentors, and community spaces where you don’t have to hold everything alone.
Body care: Movement, nourishing food, hydration, sleep. Our emotional well-being lives in our bodies.
Joy and balance: Fun, creativity, hobbies, time with people who fill your cup are not extras; they’re essential tools for recovery.
Compassion fatigue is real. It affects even the strongest and most seasoned helpers. Taking Dr. Figley’s self-test gives you a clearer picture of where you are right now and what you might need. When we respond to the results with intentional self-care, we honor both ourselves and the people we serve.