Stress, Burnout, and Resiliency

Working in environments with high stress and supporting people who have experienced trauma can take a toll on a worker's compassion, empathy, and emotional wellbeing. Chronic exposure to stress and trauma can lead to Compassion Fatigue and Burnout, reducing a worker’s confidence, effectiveness, and overall health. This class explores the cumulative impact of stress on the brain and body and highlights how burnout develops over time and the stages that lead to it.

At the same time, the course emphasizes that resilience—the ability to adapt and thrive amid stress—is a skill set that can be developed. Resilient workers use personal wellness strategies and daily practices to stay mentally and physically strong. These strategies not only improve personal wellbeing but also foster more person-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed workplaces. Participants will learn to recognize the signs and stages of burnout and compassion fatigue, and will explore flexible, practical tools to cultivate compassion satisfaction, strengthen team dynamics, and improve outcomes for both staff and the people they serve.