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Help for the Helper: The Psychophysiology of Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma

Author(s) : Babette Rothschild, Author(s) : Marjorie Rand

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Therapist burnout is a pressing issue. Self-care and risk-avoidance are possible only when therapists actively help themselves.

Self-care, however, needs to be grounded in neurophysiological theory and must be practiced correctly and consistently in one's mental health work. The difference in the new awareness that Rothschild recommends will be felt not just in the life and well-being of the therapist, but also in the therapy hour as this attentiveness has its affect on the exchange between therapist and client. Help for the Helper offers readers a comprehensive approach to somatic empathy and therapist self-care.

Based on the scientific foundation of the phenomenon of somatic empathy, Rothschild offers clinicians practical skill-building advice to manage burnout and stress inside and outside the consulting room.

Contents in Detail -

* Preface: Using Common Sense
* Introduction: Overview
* Organization
* Disclaimer
* Chapter 1 Psychotherapists at Risk: Therapist Assets and Deficits
* Identifying Terminology
* Countertransference
* Projective Identification
* Empathy
* Chapter 2 Managing the Ties That Bind: Theory-The Neurophysiology of Empathy
* Somatic Empathy
* Mirroring and Mimicry
* Skill Building-Facial and Postural Awareness
* Conscious Postural Mirroring
* Unmirroring
* Chapter 3 Keeping Calm: Theory-The Neurophysiology of Arousal
* Skill Building-Arousal Awareness
* The Therapist's Brakes
* How Close is Too Close?
* Controlling Empathic Imagery
* Chapter 4 Thinking Clearly: Theory-The Neurophysiology of Clear Thinking
* Skill Building-Know Thyself
* Strengthening the Observer
* Controlling Self-Talk
* Nurturing Your Work Space
* Structured Self-Care
* Chapter 5 Concluding Reflections: Revisiting Projective Identification
* To Each Her Own Chair
* Final Words
* Appendices: Assessment
* Pilot Research