Summary from Dr. Alan Cutter (Summit #3 Presentation)

 

 

Compassion fatigue and “vicarious traumatization” are relatively new terms for what was first identified in the early 1900’s as therapists began to notice their peers reacting adversely to the depths of their clients’ struggles to find healing and wholeness. In the late 20th Century this reaction began to be called “burnout.” Caring people of faith who offer compassionate aid in a time of overwhelming crisis may find themselves emotionally exhausted, unable to accomplish tasks, and even feel “hardened” to the people trying to tell their stories of pain. In our time together we looked at the cycle of trauma, the characteristics of trauma which might be passed on the caregivers, and explored some methods to deal with this potentially disabling human response.

 

The Rev. Dr. Alan Cutter

General Presbyter, The Presbytery of South Louisiana