Self-Care Workbook for Helping Professionals

William Steele, PsyD, MSW, is an author and consultant who has trained thousands of helpers and developed evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions that are used in 55 countries.

"This book offers a rich menu of options that can truly make a difference! Its grounded, thoughtful, evidence-based approach skillfully emphasizes the individual responsibilities and self-care opportunities helpers have while acknowledging the role the workplace environment plays in risk and resiliency factors that influence or mitigate helpers’ stress. I strongly recommend this workbook and trust that if helpers implement its wisdom, they can experience relief from helper stress while increasing both compassion satisfaction and fulfillment too."Lynda Monk, MSW, RSW, CPCC speaker, facilitator, and director of the International Association for Journal Writing"Dr. Steele provides a very useful and accessible toolkit to support helping professionals exposed to trauma through their work. This book allows professionals to engage in and determine the self-care strategies that work best for them and their well-being."Paul Gavin, PhD, programme leader for criminology at the University of the West of England Bristol"It’s refreshing and empowering to see the way this book presents self-care as a strengths-based approach and celebrates what draws people to being helpers. Evidence-based research, real-world experience, a plethora of targeted assessments, and resources make this a multifaceted framework for customizing self-care practices that recognize the unique responses experienced by helpers in the field."Misty Ramos-Saviano, ATR-BC, LPCC-S, ACTP, executive director of PALS for Healing"Dr. Steele provides a clear, practical guide that recognizes the complexities of helper stress. His work provides useful tools and insights that truly support resilience. This is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to care for themselves while caring for others."Amy Priest, MSW, LISW-S, LICDC, past director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Lucas County, Ohio"This is a great resource for helpers! The author has a knack for taking what’s complicated and making it understandable through personal experiences. Insights from his training about self-care, research on self-care and best practices and his experiences with survivors of catastrophic and traumatic events reveal his understanding that helper self-care should never be a ‘one size fits all’ model."Anthony Salvatore, EdD, retired public school administrator (Newtown, Connecticut) and current board member of The Coalition to Support Grieving Students"With real stories, practical advice and actionable techniques, Dr. Steele’s latest book demonstrates that self-care is not just possible but essential, empowering practitioners to maintain resilience in their challenging roles."Barbara Rubel, MA, BCETS, DAAETS, author of But I Didn’t Say Goodbye and coauthor of Living Blue

• Part I: Approaching Self-Care and Stress 1. Approaching Self-Care: What Hasn’t Worked-What Does- Ten Approach Points 2. Approaching Helper Stress: Navigating Its Multidimensional Factors 3. One Universal Reaction: Our Reactions Are Not a Choice; Our Responses Are Part II: The Environment Matters: We Flourish When Environments Meet Our Needs 4. Toxic Cultures and Burnout 5. Flourishing or Toxic? Self-Care Deserving 6. Secondary Trauma, PTSD: The Culture and Well-Being Part III: Compassion and Empathy: When One Is Not Helping Neither Is the Other 7. Satisfying, Fatiguing or Distressing? Part IV: Outcomes: Patterns and Possibilities 8. Interpretations: Selecting Your Care Focus Part V: Determining Your Personal Care Strategy 9. Consider These Self-Care Strategies: Making Personal Selections 10. Accessing Additional Sources for Additional Solutions