Sharise Nance (also known as the Compassion Fatigue Expert) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Compassion Fatigue Specialist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, EMDR Certified Therapist, Adjunct Professor, Workshop Facilitator, Award Winning Entrepreneur and Author.

She is the co-owner and founder of HandinHand Counseling Services, LLC and has over 20 years of experience assisting individuals, couples and families see beyond energy depletion, hopelessness, panic, guilt and feeling overwhelmed and assists them in making a shift to a place of  peace, joy, clarity and satisfaction. Sharise also dedicates her efforts to running Vitamin C Healing, LLC an organization that helps mental health leaders at risk for burnout to redefine work-life balance while efficiently managing the needs of their staff and confidently executing their goals.

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With considerable experience speaking at keynotes, workshops, and seminars for helping professionals, mental health leaders and entrepreneurs across the globe, she strives to equip individuals with the tools to tolerate the high demands of work and life, imposter syndrome as well as manage and prevent compassion fatigue and burnout in order to live happy, fulfilled lives and careers. With her depth of experience of working with a diverse population of  people from all walks of life, Sharise is eager to share all that she’s learned. 

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Most recently, Sharise created the S.W.A.G. Awards: Social Worker Appreciation of Greatness Awards, to honor the “heart work” of local social workers in the Greater Pittsburgh area who often go  unappreciated and unrecognized.  

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She resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband William Nance. 

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What is Compassion Fatigue

The deep physical and emotional exhaustion that causes a pronounced change in the healer's ability to have empathy for their clients, loved ones and colleagues. 

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Social Workers | Mental Health Therapists| Case Workers | School Officials | Caregivers | Health Care Professionals | Police Officers | EMT Workers | Child Protective Service Workers

Symptoms

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People who are experiencing compassion fatigue may notice emotional exhaustion, depression, or even physical reactions like headaches, nausea, chest pain, muscle tension, or irritable bowel syndrome. They may find themselves withdrawing from their friends and family members.

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Treatment

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Practicing self-care -prioritizing sleep, movement and nutrition, connecting with your values, setting healthy boundaries, practicing self-compassion, taking a break from listening to disturbing stories by turning off the news or avoiding drama in social media posts. It can also help to talk about your feelings with trusted friends or even seek professional  counseling if needed.

With high-stress careers and demanding workloads, more and more people suffer from compassion fatigue — symptoms such as anxiety, depression, anger, PTSD and even thoughts of suicide

After working in the social work and mental health profession for over 2 decades, it became clear to me that compassion fatigue was comparable to the common cold. Helping people navigate their psychosocial stressors, mental health conditions, and trauma makes you prone to catching it. Combatting the Common Cold of Helping Professionals is a brief guide that will provide tips, strategies, and resources to help you build an immunity to protect yourself from this common cold of Compassion Fatigue and continue to do the work you love from a full well.