In this workshop we will explore the connection between our efficacy as helping professionals, and the extent to which we are intentional about addressing stress and taking care of ourselves personally.  We will discuss the manifestations of affect dysregulation and the impact of untreated stress.  We will address the dynamics and the risk factors that set us up for vicarious traumatization in the workplace. Participants will learn about the warning signs of vicarious traumatization, how it impacts our workplace performance, and the cognitive, emotional, and somatic toll that it takes. We will also explore some of the fundamental challenges of working with trauma and addiction, and why mental health providers often struggle with incorporating enough self-care. Participants will have the opportunity to experientially explore several creative modalities  designed to increase self-compassion, positive self talk, and the utilization of somatic resourcing to address the physical and emotional manifestations of stress and burnout.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the manifestations of hypo-arousal and hyper-arousal and the affect dysregulation that stress creates.
2. Identify at least three negative effects that untreated stress has on the mind and the body.
3. Identify and explain at least four dynamics that make mental health professionals vulnerable to vicarious traumatization in the workplace.
4. Identify at least four ways in which vicarious traumatization impacts workplace performance.
5. Identify at least three reasons why mental help providers struggle with the concept of self-care.
6. Explain the “Crossroads of a thought “intervention and how it can increase self-compassion and positive self-talk.
7. Describe and implement at least three techniques for breath work and somatic resourcing as strategies for stress reduction.
8. Identify at least three cognitive and behavioral strategies designed to decrease stress and inoculate mental health professionals against vicarious traumatization and burnout in the workplace.