The Cost of Caring: Understanding and Addressing Burnout in Professional Caregivers

Professional caregivers are the backbone of our healthcare and human services systems—yet the demands of the role often lead to chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, and burnout. In this two-hour interactive webinar, participants will explore the science of stress and burnout, how it uniquely impacts those in caregiving professions, and evidence-based approaches to support personal well-being and professional sustainability.

Through case examples, self-assessments, and reflective exercises, attendees will learn how to recognize early warning signs, regulate their stress response, and integrate practices that promote resilience, recovery, and a renewed connection to purpose. This session is grounded in trauma-informed principles and designed for anyone in a helping profession seeking practical tools for long-term vitality.

By the end of this recording participants will be able to:

1. Define the key differences between stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue in professional caregiving roles.

2. Explain the impact of chronic stress on brain and body function, including decision-making, emotional regulation, and health.

3. Recognize early warning signs of burnout and identify personal and organizational risk factors.

4. Integrate at least three evidence-informed strategies for regulating stress and promoting resilience (e.g., mindfulness, boundaries, recovery practices).

5. Apply trauma-informed principles—such as safety, choice, and self-compassion—to support their own well-being and model healthier workplace norms.

6. Reflect on their caregiving identity and re-align with a sense of purpose to reduce burnout and increase job satisfaction.

Presented by: Heather Haslem, MS

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