Let's Practice Compassionate Badassery Together!
Compassion fatigue education and resilience training programs for individuals and organizations who work and volunteer with animals.
The Compassion in Balance Program: Online Education To Help Your Staff Thrive In Trauma-Exposed Work
Increased Resilience
Developing resilience through professional training can buffer workers from emotional exhaustion and improves their overall well-being, protecting them from the predictable risks of secondary traumatic stress on the job.
Improved Performance
When complex-stress and trauma-exposure go unaddressed within an organization, it can contribute to high turnover, lack of engagement, and low morale, which limits the ability to work effectively and efficiently. Tackle it head on to improve quality of care and impact.
Humane Culture
Create a culture that values the humans who make the mission possible and develop new skills that enhance well-being, improve communication, foster employee engagement, build trust across all levels, and supportive relationships among teams.
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”
- Jack Kornfield
You can be well, while you do good!
Hi, I'm Jessica, and I've been supporting animal welfare and care professionals for the last 10 years.
Join me for an online training program, so that you and your staff can thrive in the challenging work you do.
More About Me
Have You Been Wondering?
- How can we help our staff learn to manage stress and cope with the difficult emotions of the work?
- What can we do to promote a healthy work-life balance, so our people don't burnout?
- How can our managers learn to care for themselves, so they have the capacity (and skills) to support their teams?
- Do we need to address trauma in our organization?
- How can we reduce negativity and help our staff feel re-energized about the work?
The Compassion in Balance Program has the answers.
Laura, Executive Director, U.S. Animal Shelter
"The course was animal shelter specific and the instructor truly understands the needs of our staff. We thought it was very effective...The course helps us to have better conversations with staff and make effective referrals to our employee assistance program and other resources."
Megan, Volunteer Coordinator, U.S. Animal Shelter
"Compassion in Balance has helped me tremendously. I was on the verge of quitting last year and I feel like I’m finally in a better place now. We’ve had compassion fatigue training before, but none of it really focused on working with animals and it didn’t really make sense. You’ve bridged the gap for me and I truly appreciate it!"
Julie, Manager, Animal Health & Protection, Canadian Shelter
"After taking many compassion fatigue related trainings I can say that after all this time yours has provided me with the most valuable skills. What I learned has allowed me to continue my career in animal welfare for the last six years."
Tackling Compassion Fatigue and Complex-Stress Isn’t Easy, But Organizations Can't Afford to Ignore This Issue.
Trauma-exposed work creates a unique environment with an increased risk for serious stress and burnout. This can lead to increased sick time, low morale, lack of team cohesion, and high turnover all of which will limit a team’s ability to work effectively and efficiently.
This lessens the organization’s ability to achieve their mission.
Does any of this sound familiar? Symptoms of organizational compassion fatigue include:
- High absenteeism and turnover
- Excessive numbers of workers' compensation claims
- Reluctance to change
- Rampant rumors and gossip
- Aggression among staff members
- Apathy and incomplete work
- Reactivity and inappropriate outbursts
Animal welfare professionals are particularly susceptible to secondary traumatic stress because of the vulnerable nature of the animals they care for, the high volume and unpredictable nature of their jobs, and their relative lack of psychological protection.
The first step to address this challenge is to understand the impact of trauma exposure on your staff and to intentionally build resiliency into the workforce through preventative and ongoing support.
The CiB Program and Resources are here to help.
Build Compassion Resilience With The Program's Core Skills:
Increase Awareness and Competence
Understanding the impact of trauma-exposed work, along with the practices that can mitigate it, is a critical first step. Add increased self-awareness and self-regulation skills and staff will be able to reduce reactivity and develop intentional optimism and hope.
Develop Balance and Healthy Coping Skills
Animal care is emotionally challenging work. Participants will learn how to navigate intense emotions, build healthy boundaries, and refuel with self-care. These are critical skills for every person to learn in order to do more effective, ethical, and sustainable work.
Foster Strong Connections and Caring Culture
Participants will connect to explore shared values and strengths in order to make positive changes. Cultivating support and collaboration among all staff levels can reduce conflict and create a more resilient, caring culture within your organization.
“It's important to counterbalance the intensity of the work you do.”
- John Wilson
Support For Every Organization
The Compassion in Balance Program has a training that fits your needs.
Compassion Fatigue Online Course
For Individuals
Learn to recognize and manage Compassion Fatigue in this 6 module course.
Resilient Teams
Online Training Series
Build trust, connection, and resiliency skills as a team with 6 online trainings.
Live, Custom Webinar
For Groups
Come together as an organization to learn skills that will help you be well, while you make an impact.
Looking for Individual Support?
Join me in Compassion Fatigue Strategies, Plus! my 8 week online course through UFL's Shelter Medicine Program!
Learn More About Compassion Fatigue Strategies, Plus!