Care for the Carer: The Importance of Cultivating Self-Compassion as a Helping Professional
Description
This reflective, skills-based workshop is grounded in Dr. Paul Gilbert’s Compassion–Focused Therapy (CFT) approach and Dr. Stephen Porges’s Polyvagal Theory (PVT). This workshop invites crisis line workers to turn the same warmth and understanding they offer callers towards themselves so that caring can be more sustainable and less depleting. Through brief teaching, guided reflection and experiential exercises, participants will explore why caring roles are vulnerable to stress, shame and self-criticism. The training also discusses how CFT’s three emotion-regulation systems (threat, drive, soothe) and PVT can be used to help carers make sense of their everyday experiences. At the end of the workshop, 988 workers will have a menu of compassionate self-care practices that can be implemented daily. They will also come away with a deeper understanding of why sustaining their own wellbeing is essential to effectively supporting the callers they serve.
Target Audience: 988 crisis call line staff and other human services professionals
This training is approved for 3 continuing education clock hours for counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers in the state of Ohio.
Deadline for registration is May 5, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Content Level
Beginner
Learning Objectives
After completing this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe the core principles of CFT and PVT and explain their relevance to the emotional challenges of helping roles.
- Integrate compassionate practices to support resilience and sustained well-being in caregiving work.
- Articulate and evaluate how practicing self-compassion influences emotional regulation, reduces the risk of compassion fatigue and enhances the ability to provide calm, empathetic support to those they serve.
Agenda
- 10 a.m. : Moderator introduction
- 10:05 a.m. : Review and discuss learning objectives; outline session goals; connect CFT and PVT to compassion fatigue and emotional sustainability
- 10:10 a.m. : Understanding the “tricky brain”: Overview of Dr. Paul Gilbert’s CFT and its relevance to caregiving roles
- 11:15 a.m. : Break
- 11:30 a.m. : Q&A
- 11:35 a.m. : Applying PVT to self-compassion: Introduction to Dr. Stephen Porges’s PVT and the role of the autonomic nervous system in feelings of safety and connection
- 12:35 p.m. : Integrating self-compassion into daily practice: Linking CFT and PVT principles into sustainable self-care routines
- 1 p.m. : Wrap-up and closing
- 1:05 p.m. : Q&A
- 1:10 p.m. : Moderator conclusion
- 1:15 p.m. : Close
Presented by:
Chris Fraser, MSW, LISW
Owner of Positive Path Counseling
Chris Fraser, MSW, LISW, is the owner of Positive Path Counseling in Dublin, Ohio. Since 1996, Fraser has served a variety of individual clients, couples, children, adolescents and families in both public and private settings. Fraser has a passion for and an expertise in helping children and adults learn compassion–focused therapy skills. His aim is to help children, individuals and families become the best versions of themselves more of the time through teaching compassionate mind skills. Fraser has 28 years of experience and training in family therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and compassion–focused therapy. He works primarily from an authentic pairing of CFT and ACT and has been very fortunate to have trained with the creators of these therapeutic approaches. Fraser speaks on these topics locally, nationally and internationally. He and his wife, Heather Doyle Fraser, published the book, Freedom: How Teens Can Use Mindful Compassion to Thrive in a Chaotic World and Grow a Purpose-driven Life, in 2019. Most importantly, Fraser loves spending time with his wonderful wife and daughter.
Training Completion Requirements
- Participants are required to stay logged in for the Q&A portion of the training for successful completion, as it is part of the educational portion of this training.
- Training completion is based on timed attendance as tracked by Zoom.
- Each participant must complete a training evaluation within TWO (2) business days of the session, by the deadline stated during the training.
- Certificates will be emailed to participants within 7 business days to those who meet training requirements.
- Participants who submit an active and eligible license number issued by the Ohio CSWMFT Board and/or the Ohio CDP Board will be reported to CE Broker within 14 business days.
Accessibility
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. You may request accommodation or inquire about accessibility as part of the Zoom registration process or by emailing our 988 training team at 988trainings@osu.edu.
Each of our live virtual trainings will include live captioning provided by Verbit/Automatic Sync Technologies (AST).
Please contact us at 988trainings@osu.edu should you need further assistance.
Contact Information
Please contact our 988 training team via email at 988trainings@osu.edu with any questions or concerns.
Accreditation
The Ohio State University College of Social Work provides approvals for continuing education for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists that are accepted by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board.