Accelerated Recovery Program (ARP) for Compassion Fatigue

Developed by Anna B. Baranowsky, Ph.D. &  J. Eric Gentry, MA, CAC, CTS at the psychosocial research laboratory of Charles R. Figley, Ph.D.

• Compassion Fatigue Specialist Training (CFST)
• 1 Day Compassion Fatigue Resiliency Training

ARP: Treatment or Transformation?

The Accelerated Recovery Program (ARP) is a uniquely designed five-session treatment/ training protocol to assist health-care professionals in resolving their symptoms of compassion fatigue (primary traumatic stress + secondary traumatic stress + burnout). This goal is accomplished by utilizing a video-enhanced narrative protocol as well as one or more of the "neoteric" therapies (e.g., EMDR, TIR, TFT, VKD, T-LTT). This powerful program also assists these professionals in developing prevention and resiliency skills to avoid future problems associated with compassion fatigue. However, the program is not simply another treatment method. It is designed to challenge, as well as assist, the health-care professional to develop a professional and personal lifestyle which creates self-validation and a non-anxious presence--two crucial ingredients toward resiliency of compassion fatigue. The ARP asks the participant to examine his/her personal "mission" to develop understanding of how and where s/he is stepping outside of his/her integrity and return to congruence. In addition, the program will challenge the care-giver to become more intentional and lessen his/her reactivity in both personal and professional spheres. It is difficult and deeply enriching work. As one of the Chaplains from our training with the Federal Bureau of Investigation described it succinctly: "I've been to a lot of trainings and workshops and I often find them tepid...this is NOT tepid!"

The ARP is designed to help the care-giver develop awareness and meaning with the symptoms s/he is experiencing. And to help him/her understand these symptoms as an invitation and challenge to grow toward becoming the best care-giver and "self" that s/he can be. The ARP creates the environment and provides the catalyst for this metamorphosis to occur.

To read more about the Accelerated Recovery Program click here.

To learn more about the ARP, Compassion Fatigue, becoming certified as a Compassion Fatigue Specialist through the Traumatology Institute, to schedule training or to contact the developers, Contact Us.

Become a Compassion Fatigue Specialist

Under the direction of Dr. Charles Figley, the Traumatology Institute’s clinical research team (Eric Gentry, Dr. Anna Baranowsky, and Kathy Dunning, 1997) developed an Accelerated Recovery Program (ARP) for Compassion Fatigue for professionals who suffer from the negative effects of working with traumatized/troubled clients, commonly known as Compassion Fatigue.

Training in assessment, treatment and prevention of this debilitating condition will be provided to participants which culminates in certification as a Compassion Fatigue Specialist. Graduates of this program will be certified to offer this five-session treatment program as part of their clinical services.

Who should attend?

• Mental Health Professionals: Psychologists; Social Workers; Mental Health Counselors; Family Therapists; Case-managers; Clinical Supervisors
• Health Care Professionals: Physicians; Medical Examiners; Nurses; Direct-care staff
• Spiritual/Religious Counselors: Chaplains; Ministers; Rabbis; Priests
• Emergency Response Personnel: Emergency Management Coordinators; Disaster Relief Staff; Paramedics; EMTs
• Law Enforcement Professionals: Federal Law Enforcement Agents; Police Officers; Sheriffs and Staff Department of Justice Personnel: FBI Agents; Attorneys; Victim Assistance Coordinators
• Others: EAP Professionals; School Counselors; Teachers; School Administrators; Corporate and Public Agency Managers; Journalists

Why should I become a Compassion Fatigue Specialist?

• Be identified immediately as a qualified, caring provider of compassion fatigue relief
• Understand the causes of Compassion Fatigue and how to distinguish it from burnout
• Understand the high-risk factors for Compassion Fatigue
• Understand and develop resiliency skills to prevent Compassion Fatigue
• Be able to recognize, assess, and treat the effects of Compassion Fatigue in the lives of care-givers via the Five (5)
• Session Accelerated Recovery Program
• Develop renewed excitement and passion in your career as a care-giver
• Using this approach with your self and other care-givers serves as a catalyst for personal and professional development.

Comments from Past Participants

The quality of the course was obvious even as it was launched. This is on the cusp of innovation and is applicable in a wide array of arenas.

• Rick Ritter, LCSW, CT; President, Green Cross Projects

Excellent opportunity not just to come out of compassion fatigue, but to enter a transformative process.

• Carlos Velazquez-Garcia, MA, MATS; Clinical Psychologist, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Wow, what a different way of looking at compassion fatigue; as a positive catalyst for change and improvement in ones life, rather than an end or destructive force.

• Libby Royer, LCSW, Road to Recovery

I think this program is a must for all professionals working in a trauma setting whether medical, mental health or emergency services. The effects of unresolved or carried secondary trauma are debilitating to one’s career and can have negative impact on the professional’s ability to continue giving appropriate service in trauma situations. This program can identify and lead toward healing those wounds, returning the provider to full effective service.

• Ronald D. Davenport, LPC, CEAP; FBI, Reg. EAP Mgr.

This program is offered through Psych Ink Resources - Traumatology Institute (the official Canadian provider of Traumatology Institute training - Florida State University’s Center for Professional Development in Tallahassee, Florida). It may also be tailored for specific audiences and delivered at any site.

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