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August 5 @ 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Cost: $5.00
presents:
Caring for the Caregiver:
Using Self-Care to Combat Compassion Fatigue
via Webinar
Date & Time: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 | 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Webinar via Zoom
Cost: $5
This program is funded by a generous grant from M&T Charitable Foundation.
What to Expect
Compassion fatigue is characterized by a gradual decline in compassion over time, resulting from a combination of burnout and secondary traumatic stress due to vicarious traumatization from repeated exposure to traumatic material. This training will provide a comprehensive understanding of compassion fatigue, with a focus on how these issues affect individuals in caregiving or helping professions. Participants will learn to define and differentiate between burnout and compassion fatigue, understand their underlying causes, and identify their unique symptoms. In addition, the training will explore protective factors that can reduce the impact of these challenges and guide participants in developing personalized self-care plans. This training will equip participants with the knowledge and strategies needed to prevent and manage compassion fatigue in both their professional and personal lives.
Objectives
- Define and understand burnout, vicarious/secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue.
- Differentiate between burnout vs. compassion fatigue.
- Utilize assessment tools to understand personal levels of compassion satisfaction as well as compassion fatigue.
- Understand protective factors and develop a plan of self-care.
Facilitator
Lisa Arifer-Polcha has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since April 2026. Prior to that Lisa was a Licensed Social Worker in Pennsylvania since 2004 and earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Temple University that same year. Since receiving her degree, Lisa has worked primarily in the medical field of social work. She served as a hospice social worker for more than seven years and has worked as a medical social worker in dialysis care for over twelve years.
Prior to her medical social work experience, Lisa worked in both direct care and case management roles supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also volunteers at her church in a variety of roles.
In addition to her professional and volunteer work, Lisa provides educational presentations and consultation services in the areas of aging, grief, and mental health.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- Social Work: 1.5 CEUs (Pending Approval)
National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Disclosure: Upon approval, 1.5 CEs will be awarded for completion of this course. NASW has been designated as a pre-approved provider of professional continuing education for social workers (Section 47.36), Marriage and Family Therapist (Section 48.36) and Professional Counselors (Section 49.36) by the PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.
PLEASE NOTE: CEUs are an additional fee of $15 per NASW member and $25 per non-member. Participants requesting social work CEUs will be responsible for paying NASW directly, following the training.
Questions?
Contact Allison Fisher at trainings@penncares.org.
PennCares Cancellation Policy
- PennCares Support Services reserves the right to cancel an event due to low enrollment or other circumstances which would make the event non-viable.
- PennCares reserves the right to substitute course instructors as necessary.
- If PennCares cancels an event, registrants will be offered a full refund.
Postponement: Should circumstances arise that result in the postponement of an event, registrants will have the option to either receive a full refund or transfer registration to the same event at the new, future date.
Substitutions and Transfers: We understand that circumstances may occur to prevent you from attending a training. If you find that you are unable to attend one of PennCares’ trainings, you have several options:
- Send a substitute: Substitutions are accepted as long as a written request is received. Substitutions may be made without penalty provided the original registrant contacts PennCares at trainings@penncares.org to request this change.
- Transfer to another course: Transfers are accepted up to the day of the event as long as a written request is received. In the event the registrant cannot attend a scheduled course for which he or she is enrolled, registration can be transferred to another course.
- Refund of monies: Requests for refunds must be made in writing and received by the training refund deadline stated on the training registration form. (See below for cancellation policy).
Registration Cancellation by Participant
- Unless specifically stated on registration materials, the deadline to request a refund for your registration is 5 business days before the event.
- Registration cancellations requested prior to the deadline will be eligible to receive a refund less a 5% administration fee. *
- Cancellations received less than 5 business days before the event will not be eligible for a refund and will be billed for the total cost.
- Registered no-shows are not eligible for a refund and will be billed the total cost.
- Cancellations will be accepted via e-mail to trainings@penncares.org and must be received by the stated cancellation deadline.
- All refund requests must be made by the attendee/payee.
- Refund requests must include the name of the attendee, the training date, and payment method.
These above policies apply to all PennCares trainings unless otherwise noted in the corresponding event materials. Please read all individual event information thoroughly.