Counselors consistently work with clients experiencing trauma, crises and other places of darkness. This darkness can impact the counselor’s ability to be present, significantly influence judgment and cause impairment. This can lead to vicarious traumatization (Pearlman & Saakvitne, 1995), compassion fatigue and ultimately burnout (Stebnicki, 2007). This presentation will discuss the universal nature of risk factors that stem from the very nature of our work. These risk factors are manifested in professionals in uniquely different ways. This program will assist counselor educators and supervisors in helping students to develop a customized self-care program that speaks to the experiences, culture, spirituality, and core of the individual (Baker, 2003).
