Counselor Wellness: Caring for Self to Care for Others

Counselor Wellness: Caring for Self to Care for Others underscores the importance of self-care for counselors in order to maintain an ethical, life-giving practice and minimize the risks of burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma. The book provides valuable insight regarding the inherent risks and challenges that come with serving others. It contains timely research and practical strategies for reducing stress and preventing the deleterious effects that can derail personal and professional effectiveness. Each chapter begins with a reflection from a counselor, setting the stage for robust discussions about the rigors of counseling practice and the personal challenges many counselors face. The chapters feature cutting-edge research and evidence-based approaches to recognizing, intervening, and preventing threats to emotional well-being. Case illustrations and guided exercises personalize the reading experience and help readers draw connections between the material and their everyday lives. Key topics addressed include the increasing complexity and severity of clients' issues, the cost of empathy, ethical issues, developing a personal wellness orientation, and resiliency. Designed to help counselors prioritize self-care in order to support the successful care of others, Counselor Wellness is an exemplary resource for pre-service counselors, as well as those in practice.