When Helpers need Helping: When Counselors need Counseling
Link for Access: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81274251453
According to the World Health organization (WHO) The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people around the world. While many individuals have adapted, others have experienced mental health problems, in some cases a consequence of COVID-19 infection. The pandemic also continues to impede access to mental health services and has raised concerns about increases in suicidal behavior (World Health Organization, 2023).
As clinicians and helpers, we are now more than ever experiencing compassion fatigue, burn out and the impact of vicarious trauma. In fact, Hersh (2022) referred to the “four big occupational hazards' ' that affect those in the mental health fields at an increasingly alarming rate. Burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious traumatization share certain qualities and yet each has distinct elements. Burnout is tied to the overall work of counseling and can be related to long hours, paperwork, office politics, insurance companies, and client interactions. It is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a depreciated personal sense of accomplishment, affecting almost 50% of psychotherapists (Hersh, 2022, p. 47). The goals of this roundtable will be to discuss, share and examine strategies for support.
Learning Outcomes
- Reduce stigma, reduce fears, initiate a dialogue to reach out rather than retreat within.
- To further share recommendations on Self Care through exploration and review the importance of intentional self-care.
- To examine personal kindness and compassion through a reflective practice and discussion.
Angela Spiers, EdD LPCC-S NCC
Angela Spiers, Ed.D., LPCC-S CPC NCC, originally from Canada, Dr. Spiers moved with her family to the United States 14 years ago where she completed her doctoral degree. Dr. Spiers has been a counselor, educator, and mediator supporting clients as well as families since 1993. Her dissertation led to her 2014 publication of “A Qualitative Study of Mother Doctoral Students in Counselor Education: The Impact of Mentoring, Wellness, and Self Efficacy on Persistence and Retention.” Dr. Spiers earned her master’s degree in education specializing in Counseling and Adult Education from Brock University in St Catherine’s Ontario Canada. During this time, she piloted a project entitled SMILE (Students Mentoring in Life and Education) program. Dr. Spiers secured grant funding to organize a research team at the largest community college in Canada, Seneca College. Dr. Spiers has continued to present state and nationally on the topics for best clinical counseling practices. Dr. Spiers continues to work in both clinical mental health. She has a private practice “Stable Wellness Center '' where she is in network with several insurance companies, telehealth and Employee Assistance Programs supporting clients with multiple clinical issues. She is currently interested in research around issues to improve counseling practices.
Carol Sommer, PhD LPCC-S
Dr. Carol Sommer PhD, is a professor of counselor education at Eastern Kentucky University. She is a state licensed professional clinical counselor and a nationally approved clinical supervisor. She has practiced meditation, yoga, and t’ai chi for more than thirty years. Recently she has focused on mindfulness applications for counselors-in-training and counselor educators. Previously, her scholarship has included the use of myths and fairy tales as teaching tools to enhance clinical supervision, group counseling, and multicultural understanding. To achieve a work-life balance, she avidly gardens with more than 2000 square feet of native perennials for butterflies and other pollinators, and she cares for three rescued canine companions.
References
Hersh, M. (2022). The thriving therapist: Sustainable self-care to present burnout and enhance well-being. American Psychological Association.
World Health Organization (2022) Mental Health and Covid 19 Early Evidence of the Pandemic’s Impact. Scientific Brief March 2, 2022.
APA Practitioner Survey (2021) 2021 COVID-19 Practitioner Survey (apa.org)
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