Empathy Archives - Kevin Plummer, PhD https://kevinplummerphd.com/category/empathy/ School Clinical & Consulting Services Mon, 03 Mar 2025 20:19:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://kevinplummerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-KP-SCCS-900-1-75x75.png Empathy Archives - Kevin Plummer, PhD https://kevinplummerphd.com/category/empathy/ 32 32 The Central Challenge https://kevinplummerphd.com/the-central-challenge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-central-challenge Sat, 15 Feb 2025 17:54:36 +0000 https://kevinplummerphd.com/?p=3407 The central challenge for us all, as therapeutic educators, is to discover the child’s truth, to openly acknowledge it, and to keep telling ourselves the child’s truth, even as it challenges our own resilience and even if we are the only ones willing or able to do this. The children who find their way to […]

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]]> The central challenge for us all, as therapeutic educators, is to discover the child’s truth, to openly acknowledge it, and to keep telling ourselves the child’s truth, even as it challenges our own resilience and even if we are the only ones willing or able to do this.

The children who find their way to us for help, children who have been hurt and mistreated by those they’ve had to rely on for care, children who—undiminished by their repeated failed efforts—still fight for what they need, only to bring more attention to the fight and less to what they really need, children who no longer trust—constantly hijacked by phantom threats and imagined rejection, children who are afraid of the world every day, complicated children who have long surpassed the capacity of their parent’s, teacher’s and therapist’s to fully understand them or to help them. These children need to be seen by us for the depth of their distress and the full extent of their ordeal, without minimizing, normalizing, denying, or needing to spare the feelings of those who have tried to help and failed, or those who have not tried as they should have.

Without blaming, accusing, or finding fault with anyone who has been involved, or anyone who is involved right now, we must have the courage and the honesty to face the truth behind the suffering that comes through the school door in the morning. We must truly and fully see these children—not the story that others have imposed on them—and we must convince them that they are fully seen, heard, felt, and understood, that we will endeavor to help them and that we are capable and unafraid and won’t look away.

 

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]]> We are the Therapeutic Team https://kevinplummerphd.com/we-are-the-therapeutic-team/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=we-are-the-therapeutic-team Sat, 15 Feb 2025 17:36:27 +0000 https://kevinplummerphd.com/?p=3399 changing the trajectory of life We know what the children are saying even when they are saying something else, and we know how they are feeling about it well before they recognize it themselves. We are the inventors of what to do when nobody knows what to do, and the doers of what must be […]

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]]> changing the trajectory of life

We know what the children are saying even when they are saying something else, and we know how they are feeling about it well before they recognize it themselves. We are the inventors of what to do when nobody knows what to do, and the doers of what must be done when no one else can do it or no one else wants to do it. We advocate for the kiddos who need us most at a time when their options are most limited. Sometimes we are the only ones who see what is possible, so we lead by example, with quiet strength, boundless creativity, and an unyielding determination. Drawing from deep reserves of our own resilience, we try again, and again, and again, to change the trajectory of life for each young student within the therapeutic classroom community.

You have some precious souls in your room, all trying to be somebody, all struggling with themselves and the world, trying to trust someone and believe in themselves, and with you as their teacher they are in the best possible hands. I appreciate what you do.

 

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]]> Empathy – IEP Goals https://kevinplummerphd.com/empathy-iep-goals/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=empathy-iep-goals Fri, 01 Sep 2023 13:46:36 +0000 http://kevinplummerphd.com/?p=706 Empathy is the capacity to understand, experience and care about the emotions of others. This involves the ability to perceive emotion in others, the capacity to experience an emotion in response to the situation experienced by another person or living thing.

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]]> Empathy is the capacity to understand, experience and care about the emotions of others. This involves the ability to perceive emotion in others, the capacity to experience an emotion in response to the situation experienced by another person or living thing…

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]]> Supporting Trauma-Impacted Students Returning to School https://kevinplummerphd.com/supporting-trauma-impacted-students-returning-to-school/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=supporting-trauma-impacted-students-returning-to-school Sun, 23 Aug 2020 14:39:27 +0000 https://kevinplummerphd.com/?p=3108 It is incumbent upon educators to develop increased trauma sensitivity as they welcome the return of children back to school buildings. When we see students struggling, instead of treating the behavior as misbehavior, we want to compassionately consider what children may have experienced to have caused them to behave or struggle in this way… Direct […]

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]]> It is incumbent upon educators to develop increased trauma sensitivity as they welcome the return of children back to school buildings. When we see students struggling, instead of treating the behavior as misbehavior, we want to compassionately consider what children may have experienced to have caused them to behave or struggle in this way… Direct download
See also:
Pandemic Toolkit and Teacher Materials
Helping Trauma-impacted Students in School
Prepare Yourself for Your Return to School
Teachers of the Pandemic
Reflection on the Pandemic
Understand the Adverse Impact
Mitigate the Adverse Impact
Helping Students Feel More Secure
Supporting Trauma-Impacted Students Returning to School (this page)
Pandemic Trauma in Students Returning to School Buildings
Related Reference Materials

 

 

 

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]]> Compassion Fatigue: Educator and Clinician Resilience Guide https://kevinplummerphd.com/compassion-fatigue-educator-and-clinician-resilience-guide/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=compassion-fatigue-educator-and-clinician-resilience-guide Tue, 11 Aug 2020 15:41:40 +0000 https://kevinplummerphd.com/?p=2987 Working in education (especially in therapeutic programs) will wear you down and wear you out unless you do something about it to ensure that, instead; working in education gives you a strong sense of purpose and fulfillment. The work can be emotional and it can be chronically stressful, so we should ensure that we take […]

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]]> Working in education (especially in therapeutic programs) will wear you down and wear you out unless you do something about it to ensure that, instead; working in education gives you a strong sense of purpose and fulfillment. The work can be emotional and it can be chronically stressful, so we should ensure that we take good care of ourselves. Our psychological and emotional health is…

Related Articles 

Compassion Fatigue: Educator and Clinician Resilience Guide (this page)
Compassion Fatigue and Resilience With Staff in Therapeutic Program
Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue
Risk Factors for Compassion Fatigue
Minimizing Compassion Fatigue
Options for Creating a Resilience Plan: From Protect to Revitalize
Signs of Work Engagement and Compassion Satisfaction

Direct Download: Resilience Guide

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]]> Compassion Fatigue and Resilience With Staff in Therapeutic Program https://kevinplummerphd.com/compassion-fatigue/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=compassion-fatigue Thu, 16 Jul 2020 15:58:14 +0000 https://kevinplummerphd.com/?p=2468 Almost anyone can learn the methods associated with the Brain Based Therapeutic Intervention Program for Children (BBTIPC), but what people underestimate is how much stamina, self-regulation, self-care and self-control it takes to stay therapeutic throughout the day, especially in the presence of severe emotional reactivity and ongoing trauma in children. The program requires staff—all at […]

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]]> Almost anyone can learn the methods associated with the Brain Based Therapeutic Intervention Program for Children (BBTIPC), but what people underestimate is how much stamina, self-regulation, self-care and self-control it takes to stay therapeutic throughout the day, especially in the presence of severe emotional reactivity and ongoing trauma in children. The program requires staff—all at once— to be present, engaged, authentic, mindful, and reflective; to choose words wisely…

Related Articles 

Compassion Fatigue: Educator and Clinician Resilience Guide (primary)
Compassion Fatigue and Resilience With Staff in Therapeutic Program (this page)
Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue
Risk Factors for Compassion Fatigue
Minimizing Compassion Fatigue
Options for Creating a Resilience Plan: From Protect to Revitalize
Signs of Work Engagement and Compassion Satisfaction

Direct PDF Download

 

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]]> Options for Creating a Resilience Plan: From Protect to Revitalize https://kevinplummerphd.com/options-for-creating-resilience-plan-protect-revitalize/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=options-for-creating-resilience-plan-protect-revitalize Thu, 16 Jul 2020 15:00:13 +0000 https://kevinplummerphd.com/?p=2476 For information about how to use this resource and how to create a resilience plan, refer to the Compassion Fatigue Resilience Guide, including the Resilience Plan Worksheet at the end of that guide. Review Step Four,  Managing Compassion Fatigue: Creating a Resilience Plan for guidance on how to create and implement the plan. There are […]

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]]> For information about how to use this resource and how to create a resilience plan, refer to the Compassion Fatigue Resilience Guide, including the Resilience Plan Worksheet at the end of that guide. Review Step Four,  Managing Compassion Fatigue: Creating a Resilience Plan for guidance on how to create and implement the plan.

There are more than 80 strategies in this resource and they are organized into two primary areas followed by two secondary categories: 1) Strategies designed to be protective and preventive of job burnout and compassion fatigue, 2) Strategies to revitalize by interrupting and resetting the stress response, 3) Strategies for Developing a Stress Management Program Outside of Work, and 4) Strategies the School or Organization Can Contribute to Promote Resilience and Revitalization.

Related Articles 

Compassion Fatigue: Educator and Clinician Resilience Guide (primary)
Compassion Fatigue and Resilience With Staff in Therapeutic Program
Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue
Risk Factors for Compassion Fatigue
Minimizing Compassion Fatigue
Signs of Work Engagement and Compassion Satisfaction

Direct pdf Download

 

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]]> Signs and Symptoms of Work Engagement and Compassion Satisfaction https://kevinplummerphd.com/signs-and-symptoms-of-work-engagement-and-compassion-satisfaction/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=signs-and-symptoms-of-work-engagement-and-compassion-satisfaction Thu, 22 Aug 2019 14:01:59 +0000 https://kevinplummerphd.com/?p=2489 Work engagement and compassion satisfaction are protective factors in the prevention of job burnout and compassion fatigue, so we should strive to achieve high levels of job engagement and fulfillment. It is everyone’s professional responsibility to monitor this and to pursue this for themselves, to stay fit for the job and to get help with […]

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]]> Work engagement and compassion satisfaction are protective factors in the prevention of job burnout and compassion fatigue, so we should strive to achieve high levels of job engagement and fulfillment. It is everyone’s professional responsibility to monitor this and to pursue this for themselves, to stay fit for the job and to get help with this if necessary…

Related Articles 

Compassion Fatigue: Educator and Clinician Resilience Guide (primary)
Compassion Fatigue and Resilience With Staff in Therapeutic Program

Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue
Risk Factors for Compassion Fatigue
Minimizing Compassion Fatigue
Options for Creating a Resilience Plan: From Protect to Revitalize
Signs of Work Engagement and Compassion Satisfaction (this page)

Direct pdf download

 

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]]> Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue https://kevinplummerphd.com/signs-and-symptoms-of-compassion-fatigue/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=signs-and-symptoms-of-compassion-fatigue Thu, 22 Aug 2019 13:57:26 +0000 https://kevinplummerphd.com/?p=2483 People who work with trauma-impacted children, emotionally impacted children, and children who are highly emotionally reactive are vulnerable to the development of compassion fatigue, a stress condition with stress responses falling into two broad categories, burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS)… Related Articles  Compassion Fatigue: Educator and Clinician Resilience Guide (primary) Compassion Fatigue and Resilience […]

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]]> People who work with trauma-impacted children, emotionally impacted children, and children who are highly emotionally reactive are vulnerable to the development of compassion fatigue, a stress condition with stress responses falling into two broad categories, burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS)…

Related Articles 

Compassion Fatigue: Educator and Clinician Resilience Guide (primary)
Compassion Fatigue and Resilience With Staff in Therapeutic Program

Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue
Risk Factors for Compassion Fatigue
Minimizing Compassion Fatigue
Options for Creating a Resilience Plan: From Protect to Revitalize
Signs of Work Engagement and Compassion Satisfaction

Direct pdf download

 

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]]> Risk Factors for Compassion Fatigue https://kevinplummerphd.com/risk-factors-for-compassion-fatigue/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=risk-factors-for-compassion-fatigue Thu, 22 Aug 2019 13:14:35 +0000 https://kevinplummerphd.com/?p=2480 The lists within this document are not psychometric measures of risk for compassion fatigue. There is no way to derive a score or quantifiable risk level. It is for awareness only, as some people have adverse work reactions due to one or two risk factors, while others may have several risk factors and no job […]

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]]> The lists within this document are not psychometric measures of risk for compassion fatigue. There is no way to derive a score or quantifiable risk level. It is for awareness only, as some people have adverse work reactions due to one or two risk factors, while others may have several risk factors and no job impact. Use the Risk Factors list to be aware, and use the Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue to determine if you need intervention…

Related Articles 

Compassion Fatigue: Educator and Clinician Resilience Guide (primary)
Compassion Fatigue and Resilience With Staff in Therapeutic Program

Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue
Risk Factors for Compassion Fatigue (this page)
Minimizing Compassion Fatigue
Options for Creating a Resilience Plan: From Protect to Revitalize
Signs of Work Engagement and Compassion Satisfaction

Direct pdf download

 

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]]> Minimizing Compassion Fatigue https://kevinplummerphd.com/minimizing-compassion-fatigue/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=minimizing-compassion-fatigue Thu, 22 Aug 2019 12:55:29 +0000 https://kevinplummerphd.com/?p=2473 Strengths and Protective Factors for Minimizing Compassion Fatigue Compassion fatigue is a stress condition with stress responses falling into two broad categories, burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS). For a thorough review of compassion fatigue, see Compassion Fatigue With Staff in Therapeutic Programs. Everyone who works with trauma-impacted children is vulnerable… Related Articles  Compassion Fatigue: […]

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]]> Strengths and Protective Factors for Minimizing Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue is a stress condition with stress responses falling into two broad categories, burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS). For a thorough review of compassion fatigue, see Compassion Fatigue With Staff in Therapeutic Programs. Everyone who works with trauma-impacted children is vulnerable…

Related Articles 

Compassion Fatigue: Educator and Clinician Resilience Guide (primary)
Compassion Fatigue and Resilience With Staff in Therapeutic Program

Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue
Risk Factors for Compassion Fatigue
Minimizing Compassion Fatigue (this page)
Options for Creating a Resilience Plan: From Protect to Revitalize
Signs of Work Engagement and Compassion Satisfaction

Direct pdf download

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]]> May You Be https://kevinplummerphd.com/may-you-be/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=may-you-be Wed, 01 Aug 2018 16:38:49 +0000 http://kevinplummerphd.com/?p=1680 A Compassion Meditation for Therapeutic Staff May you be thoughtful, patient, generous and supportive. May you inspire hope; may you always imagine the possibilities And may you see each day as full of promise May you be happy May you be healthy May you be safe and secure May you be free from suffering May […]

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]]> A Compassion Meditation for Therapeutic Staff

May you be thoughtful, patient, generous and supportive.
May you inspire hope; may you always imagine the possibilities
And may you see each day as full of promise

May you be happy
May you be healthy
May you be safe and secure
May you be free from suffering

May you see the best and bring out the best in each other
May you feel understood, listened to, respected and appreciated
May you feel valued, worthwhile and proud

May you be well
May you be peaceful
May you live with ease, and free from fear

May you be open, humble, trusting and forgiving
Kind, courageous, compassionate and strong
And may you be resilient in the face of adversity

May you experience joy and share laughter
May you feel the warmth of friendship
May you strive to be kind to yourself and each other

May you believe in each other, advocate for each other, embrace each other’s strengths, share each other’s struggles, pull each other up, lead the way, follow the other’s lead, and be willing to carry more than your share of the load whenever it becomes necessary

May you be well.

 

Save PDF: Compassion Meditation – May You Be

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