CCC 27-2_LR

c CLINICAL PRACTICE practical manner. Becoming physically tired or mentally exhausted will affect one’s capacity to do compassion. It will negatively impact the qual ity of care given to a suffering person who requires compassion daily. The term compassion fatigue (CF) was coined by Figley (1995) to describe the acute onset of personal suffering that stems from the intense sharing of someone else’s painful emotions. This phenomenon of emo tional distress results from caring for a traumatized victim rather than from exposure to the trauma itself. It stems from working in traumatic sit uations or witnessing others’ distress (Cocker and Joss, 2016). The contin uous experience of the internal conflict between empathy and suffering leads to a psychological response of distress and eventually to CF. The daily exposure to traumatic information causes a risk of developing CF, which would reduce the quality of care people provide. In addition, it can lead to the development of more debilitating conditions, such as depres sion and anxiety. Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue Caregivers and counselors who develop CF are impacted in several ways. They become irritable and angry and lose their ability to find joy and satisfaction in their work. They find excuses to stay away from their patients/clients and avoid traumatized individuals. These symptoms intensify when traumatic material is extreme and graphically presented. CF impacts the decision-making ability of caregivers, counselors, and clergy. Pastoral counselors may develop CF, which may affect their ability to provide hope and spiritual support to congregants. Because compas sionate care addresses the counselee’s need for connection and relation ships, it is based on active and emphatic listening. Furthermore, coun selees need counselors and caregivers to understand their perspective of a traumatic experience. CF reduces the ability to provide this quality of emotional and cognitive care. Social-Neuro Science and Self-care The role of empathy and compassion is key in providing well-thought out, effective care for traumatized individuals on a continuous basis. In a Christian context, any form of care should meet biblical requirements, which entail the expression of agape love and the maintenance of healthy connections and fellowship with traumatized individuals. Neurological social science and self-care strategies have been found to offer some key concepts that could be helpful in this regard, such as the role of honest and accurate communication, realistic expectations, and self-awareness. According to neuroscience, two distinct empathy-related pathways exist: 1) socio-affective (empathy), and 2) socio-cognitive (compassion). These two pathways are related but differ on a neural level as each acti vates different independent brain networks. Empath-related means that we “feel with others” but recognize that the emotions are external to our selves. Compassion-related means that we feel for others who are in pain and have a warm and emphatic concern, but we also understand their perspective and intentions. This pathway results in pro-social behavior, the motivation to act and relieve people’s pain, and advocate for social justice. Self-awareness is the ability to distinguish between our emotional and mental states and those of others. It is important for developing effective self-care strategies (Figley, 2002). This leads us to the question of prevention. How could CF be prevented and compassion satisfaction (CS) increased? Compassion satisfaction has been shown to be an inter nal positive experience that would form a shield against CF.

The daily exposure to traumatic information causes a risk of developing CF, which would reduce the quality of care people provide. In addition, it can lead to the development of more debilitating conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

16 Christian Counseling Connection