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The compassion fatigue workbook: creative tools for transforming compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatisation

The Compassion Fatigue Workbook is an enlightening read for practitioners who are interested in self-care. It is particularly directed to those clinicians (social workers, psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, nurses and others) whose professions involve assisting others to process difficult or traumatic life experiences. The notion of primary and secondary traumas and the impact of exposure to them are dissected and discussed in relation to a variety of helping professions. The tone of the book is compassionate and informed and it insightfully seeks to facilitate readers’ consideration of the benefits of individual and group reflexivity. Furthermore, the level at which the book is written assists the reader not only to confront the beneficial impacts of self-care on their helping relationships but also to normalise, increase awareness of and reduce the impact of not self-caring for the individual clinician, team and broader organisation. Mathieu engagingly and comprehensively assists the reader through the use of author self-disclosure, reflections of fellow colleagues and worksheet prompts. From initial consideration of differences between compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatisation to detailed self-assessment of current workplace mental and emotional functioning, readers are encouraged to consider their own personal variables of physical and emotional wellbeing. This is empathetically presented in a way that supports readers to consider their own health as a factor which can support or impede the helping relationship. The notion that practitioners’ physical and emotional wellbeing requires ongoing management and can be brought within each individual’s control is evident throughout, emphasised in various brief exercises and extended through familiarisation with recommended reading material. Some work settings may, in practice, allow for less control by individuals, but the point that we can all take some steps to enhance our self-care is well made and is effectively developed in highly practical ways, ably supported by plentiful, real-world vignettes from across the helping professions. The Compassion Fatigue Workbook is a hands-on guide to self-care for practitioners and to what managers of workplaces could or should do. Other matters, such as realistic workflow and budgeting, which are generally out of the hands of the individual in most institutions, are largely left aside as a quite separate matter. However, the book is designed to be used within a team as well as by individual practitioners and many activities would also apply in large workshop settings. Within Reference