3 Hours / 3 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Burnout, Vicarious Trauma, and Compassion Fatigue is presented by Jerrod Brown, Ph.D.

This badge-earning program can be shared digitally on platforms like LinkedIn or your resume and counts towards a certificate. Enroll in this program to earn credit towards the Integrated Behavioral Health Certificate and share your new digital credentials with prospective employers and colleagues.

Compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma are all illnesses experienced by professionals due to the demanding nature of their work. When professionals are constantly pushed to their limits, they may experience symptoms of these illnesses.

Compassion fatigue is a syndrome that is caused by chronic stress and exhaustion. This syndrome can develop after long periods of working excessively hard and feeling overwhelmed. Symptoms of compassion fatigue can include feeling overwhelmed by the number of people needing help, constantly tired, and having difficulty meeting personal needs. Burnout is another condition that can be caused by long hours and excessive stress. This syndrome can lead to decreased motivation, decreased energy, and decreased ability to focus. Vicarious trauma is caused by witnessing or experiencing a harmful or traumatic event. Vicarious trauma can lead to feelings of fear, anger, and sadness. Professionals constantly dealing with traumatic events may be more at risk for developing compassion fatigue.

This program is intended for all mental health professionals and examines these topics' definitions, causes, and consequences. Prevention and intervention strategies are discussed. Empirically based research findings are discussed throughout this program.

Related topics discussed during the course of this training include:

  • Toxic stress
  • Job performance issues
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Fatigue
  • Digestive health issues
  • Conflict
  • Decision-making and problem-solving deficits
  • Executive dysfunction
  • Anxiety and depression

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe burnout, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and other related constructs
  • 2 Describe the symptoms and red flag indicators of burnout, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue
  • 3 Describe the causes and consequences of burnout, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue
  • 4 Describe the relationship between burnout, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and poor professional performance and decision-making
  • 5 Describe empirically based research findings

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health professionals across all career stages, from those just starting out to seasoned clinicians. It is particularly relevant for individuals working in clinical psychology, counseling, social work, and related mental health fields where direct client care is a primary responsibility. The training is applicable to professionals practicing in diverse settings, including community mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, private practices, and correctional facilities.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

  • Practice Setting

    • Clinical psychologists
    • Social workers
    • Counselors (including school, mental health, and substance abuse counselors)
    • Other mental health professionals involved in direct client care

Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD

Jerrod Brown, PhD, is the Treatment Director for Pathways Counseling Center, Inc., the lead developer of an online Master of Arts degree in Human Services with an emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS), and the Editor-in-Chief of Forensic Scholars Today (FST) and the Journal of Special Populations (JSP).

View More Programs from this Presenter
Jerrod Brown, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Burnout, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue

  • Symptoms and red flag indicators

  • Causes and consequences

  • Relationship between burnout, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and poor professional performance and decision-making

  • Empirically based research findings

Earning a Certificate

This is a badge-earning program, which means it will help you earn a certificate that can be showcased on digital platforms like LinkedIn.
View Certificates

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.