Caring Safely
Online Program
Caring Safely is a program that goes far beyond self-care.
It will fundamentally change the way you think about being a helping professional. You'll see how to make small changes for significant results with support from the founder of the program and an online community of your peers.
Signs your work is taking a toll on you:
- You have less energy or excitement for your work;
- You go above-and-beyond to help people, because no one else will;
- You think of the worst-case scenarios and over-plan for safety;
- You feel less focused or able to empathize with people;
- You question your ability to do your job well because you can't "shake off" what you see at work;
- You dread starting the workweek or daydream about other jobs.
Unfortunately these are common experiences in helping professions that can lead to illness, relationship problems or a negative quality of life.
Since 2008 (after recovering from my own burnout) I've focused on helping others practice Sustainable Caring through coaching, workshops and online programs.
Sustainable Caring
"The ability to consistently provide compassionate care, with resilience, to the pain and suffering of others."
Caring Safely member feedback
"In my years as a social worker, I’ve worked with a lot of challenging populations and issues such as severe mental illness, domestic violence, chronic illness, and sexual abuse. I’ve had periods of severe compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma to the point where I had thought of leaving the field.
I have gone to many training on compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma during my years as a social worker, and have learned some valuable information, but not until I took the Caring Safely course have I felt that I have the tools to apply to my daily life and work as a clinician. I loved all the modules and worksheets, and in particular I really appreciate having the supportive (...) group to share with others about how we are applying the things we are learning.
I highly recommend this course- I will be using the tools for years to come, as I truly feel I can stay in the field much longer using what I have learned!"
How the Program Works:
Information + Strategies + Support
Program Includes:
- 6 modules with over 34 strategies you can use during work and in your personal life;
- Each module contains training videos, handouts and guided audio practices to teach you the theory and help you implement the strategies;
- 6 weekly live online classes (via zoom) to build off the information you learned in the training videos;
- 2 implementation weeks to catch up with office hours (via zoom) for a chance to ask questions in a 1-1 setting;
- After your course ends, you can join monthly live sessions or office hours for questions and support;
- Access to an amazing community of helping professionals;
- Bonus events may include guest speakers on specific topics or fun online community events to connect with your peers.
For those who are passionate about this topic and want to develop a specialization in it, there is an advanced program available afterwards (more information below).
The Outline
Caring Safely Program
Modules 1-6 are delivered over 8 weeks where you will learn how to:
- Reduce the pains and drains in your workday;
- Start implementing the strategies even if you already feel tired and don't think you can take on anything else;
- Create your own flexi-self-care practice that works for you;
- Prevent or reduce acute stress from exposure to trauma;
- Increase the benefits of being in a compassionate profession (foster vicarious post-traumatic growth and compassion satisfaction;
- Manage the complex dynamics of working in systems that don't have enough resources;
- Develop a long-term plan Sustainable Caring (some of our members have been with us since 2016 and have adapted their plan through parenthood, pandemics and political chaos).
Advanced Program: Supervisor/Manager and Expert Program
Modules 7-12 are delivered over 8 weeks.
Modules 7-9 focus on the Caring Safely® Organizational Health & Safety Framework for Sustainable Caring, teaching you how to implement policies and practices to support employees.
It includes six pillars of Sustainable Caring in the Workplace:
1. Workplace culture
2. Workplace belonging and connections
3. Autonomy
4. Competence and growth
5. Leadership and supervision
6. Collaboration
You are invited to complete an organizational inventory of the six pillars as we review the concepts and subsequent strategies.
Understanding the time-sensitive importance of this work, this program guides you through a process to identify both quick actions that can be taken immediately, along with longer-term comprehensive strategies through all four paths.
Modules 10-12 This content is for professionals who want to develop an expertise in this subject matter and begin teaching others about compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout prevention.
--> Please note that the expert content does not grant credentials to offer services that are regulated in your state/province.
In these modules, you'll:
- Learn how to create your own content (slides/handouts) that are relevant to the people you are teaching (you will not be teaching/licensing the Caring Safely content);
- Get a jumpstart with non-branded templates of slides + handouts (with citations and references) that you can adapt and add your name to.
- See different workshops outline that I have found helpful for 1-hour, half-day and full-day events.
Hear and ask questions about the lessons I've learned since 2008, such as:
- what strategies I avoid;
- how I increase participant engagement and satisfaction;
- what topics/questions can become problematic and how to navigate them;
- how to get started with this specialization and offer presentation/workshops;
- discussing fees and speaking agreements;
- the differences in virtual vs life presentations/workshops.
You can download the full academic outlines in the FAQ section at the bottom of the page.
Previous participants have offered presentations and workshops at professional development conferences, for onboarding new staff members and for different community organizations.
“The structure of it was wonderful. The clear explanation of the concepts of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction that then lead into a vast array of strategies. I found that I was able to easily connect the practice with the theory of it and personalise it to my own experiences. The group has also been excellent.”
"Take it! Now! Don’t wait! It will change your life! I’m so glad I did. The tools I learned (...) to apply to my compassion fatigue and personal needs were so incredibly valuable! This program is helping me find happiness in my life, satisfaction in my work, and it is helping me be a better helping professional."
"We hear about 'burnout' and 'compassion fatigue' all the time. In one ear, out the other, beautiful worksheets get put into a pile as we go back to our normal, even if toxic, routine. Caring Safely goes beyond what is easy to gloss over. It’s real, direct, and highly beneficial."
Delivery Format
Video Training
Each module includes video training of primary concepts and strategies. Additional content and practices are provided in the weekly live sessions (replays available).
personalize it
This is not a cookie cutter program. There are over 34 practices and strategies that you are invited to personalize and integrate into your life.
Connect With Likeminded Peers
Caring Safely members are amazing helpers from around the world who support each other during the struggles and celebrate with each other during the wins!
Train others
Specialize in this subject matter. Become a compassion fatigue expert with advanced training to develop and deliver your own presentations or workshops.
Instructor:
Charlene Richard, B.S.W., M.S.W., RSW
In 2007 I had severe compassion fatigue, nearing burnout. I didn’t know what vicarious trauma was and didn't have strategies to protect myself. I felt raw and exhausted and wanted to hide from everyone.
In 2008 I learned about compassion fatigue and became fascinated with it. Where many in my field would have left, I went in the opposite direction.
I dived into the world of compassion fatigue, reading books, research and taking workshops on compassion fatigue prevention before creating my coaching program and workshops.
I later completed training in Individual Prevention, Clinical Supervision, Psychological Health & Safety for organizational strategies and Adult Teaching & Learning for content development and teaching skills before creating the advanced training program.
The first online program began in 2016 and now I’m excited to offer you the 2025 Caring Safely® Online Program with the latest research and even more strategies to help you navigate these complex times.
Registration Now Open for Winter 2025
Program Begins February 12, 2025
The Schedule
"In just the first few weeks I started noticing that I was able to let the little stressful situations at work roll off, and I noticed myself slowing down and paying more attention to my internal experience while at work. This helped me to be more attuned to myself and also to the needs of my clients."
"The inventory helped me see where my department could make some changes to help staff. It was incredibly helpful to talk with other managers about the issues that come up when addressing these topics with staff. I don’t get this anywhere else."
"Deep thanks for a wonderful session. I feel a sense of renewal and am even more confident about staying in my field. I actually think that this specific course should be a requirement for those of us entering caring professions.
As I’m jumping from one caring profession to another, I feel like I am walking in with a toolkit I didn’t previously have, able to tweak some of my attitudes and behaviours so that I do not burnout again. Thank you for breathing new life into how I approach my work (and therefore my life as a whole)."
Register Here
Registration closes February 11, 2025
Caring Safely (Level 1) Skills Program (6 modules, 8 weeks)
Advanced Program (Level 2) Clinical Supervisor/Manager and Expert Program (12 modules, 16 weeks)
14-day satisfaction guarantee, from the date of registration. If you’re not happy with the content you can request a full refund.
Groups of 5 or more can register for 20% reduced group rate. Please email us at [email protected]
All prices are in US currency and taxes included where applicable.
Level 1: Skills Program
- 34+ strategies, 30+ handouts/worksheets and 6 audio practice downloads
- 8-week online program with 6 live sessions, 4+ office hours session for 1-1 support, plus monthly office hours
- 12+ months access to the Caring Safely® online course with access to a private online community for support and connections
- Test for certificate of completion for up to 18 hours of continuing education
- Bonus workshops (90-day goal setting, collaborative documentation), special topic discussions or events.
Limited spots available.
1 Payment of $497
ENROLL NOWLevel 2: Clinical Supervisor/Manager and Expert Program
Everything in Level 1 plus:
- 8 weeks of online training includes modules 7-12 with 6 live sessions and 4+ office hour sessions for 1-1 support;
- Templates for Clinical Supervision and Learning Contracts;
- Psychological Health & Safety Inventory and Action Plan;
- Hard copy of my book 20 Quick Strategies to Help Patients and Clients Manage Stress;
- Learn how to create your own presentations and workshops with tips on public speaking, managing a crowd for positive engagement and booking events;
- Done for you resources (slides and handouts)
- Test for certificate of completion for 21 hours of CE.
Limited spots available.
1 Payment of $1497
ENROLL NOWFrequently Asked Questions
