Clinical Leadership and Compassion Fatigue Overview

Celeste Nevarez, MC, MPH,LPC-S Emergence Health Network Emergence Health Network

My name is Celeste Nevarez I am a My name is Celeste Nevarez I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. Supervisor. The pipe cleaners are you to fidget The pipe cleaners are you to fidget with, so please enjoy! with, so please enjoy!

Clinical leadership isnt one job Clinical leadership isn t one job it s the intersection of many it s the intersection of many Clinician Providing care, documenting outcomes, and Providing care, documenting outcomes, and upholding fidelity upholding fidelity Supervisor Supporting growth, managing performance, Supporting growth, managing performance, holding accountability holding accountability Administrator Navigating policies, budgets, data, and Navigating policies, budgets, data, and systems systems Crisis Coordinator Responding to team and client Responding to team and client emergencies in real time emergencies in real time Emotional Anchor Creating psychological safety for your Creating psychological safety for your staff staff Systems Liaison Translating executive priorities into Translating executive priorities into clinical practice, and vice versa clinical practice, and vice versa Problem Solver Navigating unexpected issues that require Navigating unexpected issues that require creativity and judgment creativity and judgment Visible Leader Modeling calm, capacity, and clarity, Modeling calm, capacity, and clarity, even under pressure even under pressure

Its not just burnout It s what happens when your empathy has nowhere to go The cumulative toll of showing up for everyone else, clients, team, system, without pause The emotional residue of supervising trauma work while absorbing system pressure Feeling responsible for morale, quality, and outcomes...while neglecting your own needs It s not just being tired, it s feeling hollow, like your fire has dimmed Compassion fatigue is not burnout. It s cumulative depletion. In leadership, it doesn t always look like falling apart. Sometimes it looks like holding it together too well for too long.

Spoiler: Its not just tears or irritability Saying I m fine when you re clearly not, because you re the one who s supposed to be fine Over-functioning: doing more, delegating less, losing trust in others follow-through Becoming less patient, more detached, or overly directive in supervision Dreading meetings. Dreading being needed. Dreading being not needed. Secretly googling jobs that require less people-ing Feeling like you re failing even when you're showing up It doesn t mean you re failing it means you re full. And that s fixable!

Lets be honest for a moment Raise your hand if you feel this statement is true If I don t do it, it won t get done Everyone else s needs get triaged before mine I feel guilty setting boundaries, even when I know better I ve fantasized about stepping down, just to catch my breath

The research highlights that achieving lasting The research highlights that achieving lasting change isn't a one change isn't a one- -time event; it's a continuous time event; it's a continuous cycle. cycle. It's about consistently reassessing your It's about consistently reassessing your evolving priorities and feelings, and making evolving priorities and feelings, and making adjustments to your work and life choices adjustments to your work and life choices accordingly. accordingly. It's a journey of self It's a journey of self- -discovery and adaptation discovery and adaptation that leads to meaningful, long that leads to meaningful, long- -term transformation. transformation. term

This is the intervention. Youre already in it! This is the intervention. You re already in it! Compassion fatigue is a normal response to abnormal pressure, Compassion fatigue is a normal response to abnormal pressure, but it s not permanent but it s not permanent With intention and boundaries, we move from just surviving to With intention and boundaries, we move from just surviving to actually leading well actually leading well This next section isn t about bubble baths. It s about practical, This next section isn t about bubble baths. It s about practical, clinical leadership care clinical leadership care You deserve systems that honor your capacity, not just extract it You deserve systems that honor your capacity, not just extract it Let s talk about how to protect your empathy without losing your Let s talk about how to protect your empathy without losing your edge edge You don t have to be less caring! You have to stop doing it alone. You don t have to be less caring! You have to stop doing it alone.

Research has definitively shown that overwork Research has definitively shown that overwork isn t good for employees or their companies isn t good for employees or their companies and yet, in practice, it can be hard to overcome and yet, in practice, it can be hard to overcome unhealthy work habits and reach a more unhealthy work habits and reach a more sustainable work sustainable work- -life balance. life balance. In a recent study, researchers found that while the In a recent study, researchers found that while the majority of respondents assumed working long majority of respondents assumed working long hours was inevitable, a significant minority of hours was inevitable, a significant minority of them could resist this pressure and achieve a them could resist this pressure and achieve a healthier balance through healthier balance through increasing awareness, conscious reprioritizing, and implementing public and private changes.

Its not about perfection. Its about staying attuned and It s not about perfection. It s about staying attuned and adjusting when needed adjusting when needed Self Self- -awareness isn t indulgent, it s a leadership skill. awareness isn t indulgent, it s a leadership skill. Learn to differentiate what s urgent from what s truly Learn to differentiate what s urgent from what s truly important important Sustainable leadership means regularly recalibrating, Sustainable leadership means regularly recalibrating, both publicly with your team and privately with yourself both publicly with your team and privately with yourself

Rhythm allows for shifting priorities Rhythm allows for shifting priorities Your tempo can (and should) change Your tempo can (and should) change Clinical leadership isn t about balance, it s about Clinical leadership isn t about balance, it s about adaptability adaptability Your pace will shift based on team needs, system Your pace will shift based on team needs, system demands, and personal capacity demands, and personal capacity Adjusting doesn t mean you re falling behind; it Adjusting doesn t mean you re falling behind; it means you re paying attention means you re paying attention A sustainable rhythm allows for change A sustainable rhythm allows for change Rigidity leads to burnout

Losing connection to your clinical purpose, not from apathy, but from being Losing connection to your clinical purpose, not from apathy, but from being stretched too thin to remember why you started. stretched too thin to remember why you started. Shifting from reflective leadership to constant reactivity, always responding, Shifting from reflective leadership to constant reactivity, always responding, rarely recalibrating. rarely recalibrating. Feeling disconnected from your team, your impact, or the mission, even Feeling disconnected from your team, your impact, or the mission, even while doing all the right things. while doing all the right things. Confusing output with alignment. Staying busy without staying grounded. Confusing output with alignment. Staying busy without staying grounded. When your rhythm becomes noise: too fast, too external, and no space to When your rhythm becomes noise: too fast, too external, and no space to hear yourself think. hear yourself think. Drift isn t failure. It s feedback! Drift isn t failure. It s feedback! It s a signal to pause, realign, and reset your tempo. It s a signal to pause, realign, and reset your tempo.

Are you holding it with urgency? With anxiety? With exhaustion masked as Are you holding it with urgency? With anxiety? With exhaustion masked as drive? drive? What parts of the workload were never meant to be yours alone? What parts of the workload were never meant to be yours alone? Have you taken on responsibility for things outside your clinical scope or Have you taken on responsibility for things outside your clinical scope or control? control? Before we talk about how to sustain this work, let s take a moment to Before we talk about how to sustain this work, let s take a moment to notice the weight, and how you're holding it. notice the weight, and how you're holding it. How's your jaw right now? Your posture? How's your jaw right now? Your posture?

Protect your reflection time: carve out space for clinical Protect your reflection time: carve out space for clinical supervision for yourself, not just for your team. supervision for yourself, not just for your team. Set microboundaries Set microboundaries block focus time, limit back block focus time, limit back- -to meetings, and protect end meetings, and protect end- -of Name emotional labor and acknowledge the toll of holding Name emotional labor and acknowledge the toll of holding space for staff, not just clients. space for staff, not just clients. Reframe delegation as clinical care, letting go of tasks makes Reframe delegation as clinical care, letting go of tasks makes space for meaningful leadership. space for meaningful leadership. Build a peer consult circle; leadership is lonely when you re the Build a peer consult circle; leadership is lonely when you re the only one holding it. only one holding it. Advocate for infrastructure, not just endurance, sustainable Advocate for infrastructure, not just endurance, sustainable systems support sustainable clinicians. systems support sustainable clinicians. to- -back back of- -day closure. day closure.

Set Realistic Daily Goals: Each day, set achievable goals that align with your priorities, whether it's completing tasks, nurturing relationships, or pursuing personal interests. Manage Time Wisely: Break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps to make progress without feeling overwhelmed. Whether it's studying, working, or managing household responsibilities, efficient time management is key. Embrace Flexibility: Embrace the fluidity of life's demands and explore ways to adapt schedules and commitments to accommodate evolving priorities, whether it's caring for family, pursuing education, or pursuing career goals. Take Moments for Yourself: Prioritize moments of self-care and rejuvenation amidst life's busyness. Whether it's indulging in a hobby, taking a walk, or simply enjoying quiet time, carving out space for yourself is essential for well-being. Open Communication: Foster open and honest communication with loved ones, colleagues, and friends. Sharing challenges, concerns, and needs allows for understanding and support, strengthening relationships and reducing stress. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that it's okay not to have everything perfectly balanced. Embrace imperfection and prioritize self- compassion in your journey towards harmony and fulfillment.

When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. Not everything on your calendar is high Not everything on your calendar is high- -impact. Just because it falls to you doesn t mean it belongs with you. doesn t mean it belongs with you. Assess what drains vs. sustains. Which tasks deplete your clinical and leadership Assess what drains vs. sustains. Which tasks deplete your clinical and leadership capacity? Which refuels it? capacity? Which refuels it? Clarify your scope. Are you consistently stepping in where infrastructure or Clarify your scope. Are you consistently stepping in where infrastructure or delegation could be strengthened? delegation could be strengthened? Delegate with purpose. Reassign work that doesn't require your licensure, clinical Delegate with purpose. Reassign work that doesn't require your licensure, clinical judgment, or strategic oversight judgment, or strategic oversight Challenge the just five minutes mindset. These moments often compound into Challenge the just five minutes mindset. These moments often compound into hours that dilute your focus hours that dilute your focus Rework, reschedule, or release where appropriate. It s not about doing less, it s Rework, reschedule, or release where appropriate. It s not about doing less, it s about doing what matters most about doing what matters most Efficiency isn t about doing more Efficiency isn t about doing more it s about aligning your time with your role, it s about aligning your time with your role, your mission, and your impact your mission, and your impact impact. Just because it falls to you Busy doesn t equal effective. Clear the noise so you can lead with intention

Unplug: Recognize the impact of excessive screen time on wellness; practice moderation to avoid doom scrolling and remember that sometimes less is more. Don't Overcommit: Learn to say 'no' to overscheduled activities; prioritize your mental and physical health. Get Support: Foster connections with friends and family for emotional well-being and immune system support. Stay Active: Incorporate regular exercise into your routine to manage stress, boost immunity, and enhance overall health. Move a muscle, change a thought Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate accomplishments, no matter how small, to boost morale and motivation on your wellness journey. Practice Gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by acknowledging the positive aspects of your life, which can improve mental well-being and overall satisfaction. Seek Help When Needed: Recognize when stress becomes overwhelming and seek professional support without hesitation; self-care is a sign of strength.

Clinical leadership isnt about absorbing it all; its Clinical leadership isn t about absorbing it all; it s about containing, delegating, and sustaining about containing, delegating, and sustaining Boundaries are clinical tools, not personal failings Boundaries are clinical tools, not personal failings Self Self- -reflection is not optional; it s essential to reflection is not optional; it s essential to sustainability sustainability Supervision isn t just for your team. You deserve Supervision isn t just for your team. You deserve support, too support, too Life isn t about perfect balance Life isn t about perfect balance rhythm you can return to rhythm you can return to Check in with yourself regularly. What gets measured Check in with yourself regularly. What gets measured gets managed gets managed Mental health includes your health. Protecting your Mental health includes your health. Protecting your peace is part of the work peace is part of the work Big emotions often need small, intentional solutions Big emotions often need small, intentional solutions May your compassion be steady, fierce, and never May your compassion be steady, fierce, and never unattended unattended it s about building a it s about building a

Celeste Nevarez cnevarez@ehnelpaso.org cnevarez@ehnelpaso.org http://www.ehnrelaxation.org/ http://www.ehnrelaxation.org/ Sources referenced today: https://www.mhanational.org/work-life-balance https://hbr.org/2021/01/work-life-balance-is-a-cycle-not-an-achievement https://journals.lww.com/jhmonline/Fulltext/2021/10000/Work_Life_Balance__It_s_All_About_Relationships.1.aspx