In the Spring edition of the TFA Newsletter, we feature an article by guest writer Deirdre Staton, MSW, LCSW entitled “The Cost of Caring and How You Can Avoid Compassion Fatigue.”

Staton has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia since 1998, serving the Richmond, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg communities.

You can learn more about Staton and her work on her website, deirdrestaton.com.

In this newsletter companion, we feature additional content—including a self-assessment quiz and a slide deck from one of Staton’s recent presentations:

Resilience Against Compassion Fatigue Through Self-Compassion

This slide deck includes more content, like some self-compassion exercises to try, further resources and references for the benefits of self-compassion listed in the TFA Newsletter article.

ACCESS THE SLIDES »

Quiz: Test How Self-Compassionate You Are!

Get scores—immediately—to see how self-compassionate you are on several different scales.

TAKE THE QUIZ »

TEDx Talk: The Space Between Self-Esteem and Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff

Mentioned by:
A Mindful Way Through…

Mentioned by:
Mindful Moments

6 Breathing Exercises to Relax in 10 Minutes or Less

Abdominal Breathing Technique

How it’s done: With one hand on the chest and the other on the belly, take a deep breath in through the nose, ensuring the diaphragm (not the chest) inflates with enough air to create a stretch in the lungs. The goal: Six to 10 deep, slow breaths per minute for 10 minutes each day to experience immediate reductions to heart rate and blood pressure, McConnell says. Keep at it for six to eight weeks, and those benefits might stick around even longer.

When it works best: Before an exam or any stressful event. But keep in mind, “Those who operate in a stressed state all the time might be a little shocked how hard it is to control the breath,” Pacheco says. To help train the breath, consider biofeedback tools such as McConnell’s Breathe Strong app, which can help users pace their breathing wherever they are.

Level of difficulty: Beginner

Spirituality as a Coping Resource

Duane Horstman and Vivian Burdine, Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home

Trauma-Informed Consultation

Emily Shields, Methodist Family Health

Joining Behavioral Approaches with Therapeutic Needs

Huti Cooper, Garfield Park Academy; Amanda Rossi, Garfield Park Academy

Examining Effects of an In-Home Family Services Program Based on the Teaching-Family Model: Preliminary Findings from a Randomized Trial

Kristin Duppong Hurley, PhD and Matthew Lambert, PhD, University of Nebraska—Lincoln;

Ron W. Thompson, PhD, Boys Town National Research Institute

Advocating for the Teaching-Family Model as a Trauma-Informed Approach

Michele Boguslofski, Utah Youth Village, Alpine Academy; Karen Olivier, Closer to Home Community Services