Location: Room 112E
Presented by Rutgers Clinical Programs and the Philadelphia Support Center for Child Advocates
→LEARN about vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout that impact lawyers who work in public interest law.
→IDENTIFY supportive self-care strategies to maintain professional competency.
→ENHANCE personal well-being.
Lawyers who work in public interest law face serious hidden health risks from burnout and compassion fatigue that can impact them both personally and professionally. Burnout occurs in work environments where case volume is high and resources are low. Compassion fatigue can result from representing clients who have experienced trauma. Being aware of the risks and learning self-care strategies is critical to avoid mental health issues such as depression and substance abuse.
Participants in the training will learn about vicarious trauma, and related concepts of compassion fatigue and burnout, and identify supportive self-care strategies to maintain professional competency and enhance personal well-being. This program is particularly relevant for lawyers who practice in the areas of criminal defense, immigration, family law, juvenile law, children’s law, elder law and domestic violence where there is a high risk for compassion fatigue due to a client base that has experienced trauma.
Presenters:
Meghan Johnson, MPH, Program Manager, Center for Excellence in Advocacy
Alexandra Dolan, MSS, LSW, is the Training Coordinator for Child Advocates’ Outcomes in Behavioral Health Project.
Jane Kim, Staff Attorney
Sandra Simkins, Esq. is the Director and co-founder of the Children’s Justice Clinic and a nationally-recognized expert in juvenile defense. Please contact her with any questions at: ssmikins@camden.rutgers.edu
