Empathic Strain, Secondary Traumatic Stress & Burnout
At Apex Team Training & Consulting we understand the toll that Empathic Strain, Secondary Traumatic Stress & Burnout can have on both individuals and organizations alike. As Chatham Kent and Southwestern Ontario’s premium team training and communication specialists we are pleased to offer your organization help with these hard to talk about issues.
Understanding Emotional Fatigue
In trauma-exposed professions—whether in government, non-profit and charitable organizations, or corporate environments like criminal or family law—emotional fatigue often becomes part of the job. Proudly serving Chatham-Kent and Southwestern Ontario, we serve professionals who witness suffering or hear distressing stories may carry a hidden emotional toll. This training acknowledges that impact and offers a path toward staying well—or finding your way back to wellness—while remaining present and empathic in your work.
Empathic Strain refers to the emotional wear that builds up when we consistently care for others. We will explore the effects of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)—a condition that can mimic PTSD, but stems from indirect exposure to trauma rather than firsthand experience. Those in helping roles often absorb the emotional intensity of their clients’ or communities’ stories. This training invites participants to reflect with one essential question: “What are you like to come home to?”—a reminder that the impact of this work doesn’t stay at work.
Understanding Moral Injury
We also explore the concept of Moral Injury—a form of inner conflict that arises when professionals are forced to act in ways that conflict with their core values. This can occur in systems where resources are stretched thin or where policies prevent practitioners from offering the care or support they know is needed. Moral injury may lead to feelings of guilt, shame, or betrayal, and is a crucial part of understanding the full impact of trauma-exposed work.
Our Approach
To counter these effects, our training offers practical tools to teams in Chatham-Kent and throughout Southwestern Ontario to find grounding in Mutual Support and Debriefing. Mutual Support fosters a workplace culture of awareness and peer care—where team members can safely check in with one another and normalize conversations around emotional health. Debriefing, delivered in a structured and intentional way, gives teams space to process difficult events and experiences together, reducing isolation and building collective resilience.
Based on evidence-informed approaches—including practices shaped by the TEND Academy—this training provides a supportive, skill-building environment for teams navigating emotionally demanding work. Participants leave with a better understanding of how trauma exposure impacts them and their colleagues, and how to sustain empathy without sacrificing their own well-being.