Occupational syndrome marked by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment from chronic workplace stress.

Gradual lessening of compassion due to prolonged exposure to clients’ suffering; often overlaps with secondary traumatic stress.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms that may arise in helpers through indirect exposure to others’ trauma material.

Lasting changes in a helper’s worldview or sense of safety resulting from cumulative exposure to clients’ trauma narratives.

Psychological distress that occurs when one knows the ethically appropriate action but institutional/other constraints impede it.

Limits in time, role, and emotional labor that protect both client care and clinician well-being.

Responding to personal setbacks with kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness rather than self-criticism.

Nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment that supports emotion regulation and reduces reactivity.

The capacity to adapt and recover from adversity through skills, supports, and meaning-making.

Structured oversight and mentorship that enhances competence, supports ethics, and buffers stress.

Mutual consultation and encouragement among colleagues to process cases, celebrate wins, and share coping strategies.

Right-sizing caseloads, scheduling recovery time, and aligning tasks with priorities to reduce overwhelm.

Behaviors and environmental conditions that support restorative sleep and cognitive functioning.

Balanced fueling and regular physical activity to stabilize energy, mood, and stress physiology.

Intentional limits on devices, notifications, and after-hours communications to protect recovery time.