Experiencing Trauma as a Caregiver: Coping with Empathy Fatigue and “Secondary” Trauma – In Person Training

Overview:

Many caregivers exhibit symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from working with people who have experienced trauma themselves or witnessing that trauma as a caregiver.  In addition, it can be very difficult to manage these symptoms while also providing care for others and helping them to cope with their trauma symptoms.  We will take a deeper look at how trauma of someone we care about impacts our own nervous systems, how empathy fatigue (often referred to as compassion fatigue) can make it difficult to feel regulated and provide care and create useful plans and tools to address these symptoms so we can fully engage with the people we are caring for.  This class is ideal for anyone who provides care, whether it’s a family member or a social worker/direct care worker.

This training meets continuing education requirements for social workers as prescribed by the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing Chapter MPSW 19.

  Registration Change: All trainings occurring after May 15, 2026 will be processed through a new online system which will require payment via credit/debit card at the time of registration. We will no longer be issuing invoices for training registrations. If you are a caregiver who is wanting a CLTS plan to cover the registration fee, email Michael Truman at mltruman@wisc.edu to coordinate this process. Do not register here.

Register Here   $45

Registration closes Friday, May 29 at 4:00 PM.

 

About the Presenter:

Ellen Merker, M.S. LPC, founding director of Heart Consulting LLC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in trauma therapy for kids, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities.  She received her Master’s in Rehabilitation Psychology from UW-Madison, and has been working with neurodivergent kids, teens, and adults in various roles for 15 years. Ellen uses neurodivergent affirmative, sex-positive, and trauma-informed approaches in all work.  In addition to trauma therapy, Heart Consulting also works to reduce gendered violence against people with developmental disabilities through education and training.  Ellen also has extensive speaking experience, and has presented at conferences including Wisconsin Human Trafficking Conference, WI Planned Parenthood, National Project Search Conference, Wisconsin Reproductive Health Conference, and the Circles of Life Conference.

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