

Compassion fatigue is sometimes called the “cost of caring” and can affect anyone who regularly supports others in times of need. This CPD accredited compassion fatigue course is designed to give you an understanding of the circumstances that can cause compassion fatigue, how it shows up in different professions, and what steps can help reduce its impact.

Certified
Study Group Access
Accredited
Printed and PDF version of course available
10 Modules
Earn reward points
The course starts by unpacking what compassion fatigue is and how it differs from burnout, as well as how to know if you’re dealing with compassion fatigue. You’ll explore how researchers define it, the common signs people report, and why it matters in both personal and professional contexts.
To make the learning relatable, you’ll look at case studies that show how compassion fatigue can develop in different scenarios. This helps you connect theory to real-life situations, without positioning you to diagnose or intervene clinically.
Compassion fatigue doesn’t have a single cause; it develops from a mix of personal, situational, organisational, and lifestyle factors. Throughout this course on compassion fatigue, you’ll gain insight into these influences so you can recognise the contexts where stress and emotional exhaustion are more likely to build up.
Certain professions experience higher risks of compassion fatigue due to the emotional demands of the work. This online compassion fatigue prevention course highlights examples from healthcare, law enforcement, legal services, education, and other caregiving roles. You’ll explore these with awareness in mind, helping you better understand how workplace culture and demands can play a role.
Beyond professions, the course looks at everyday situations that can contribute, such as caregiving responsibilities, exposure to trauma and PTSD stories, and high-pressure environments. This section helps you understand how multiple factors can combine to increase risk.
A key part of this course is learning practical self-care and reflection strategies. You’ll explore:
The ABCs of prevention as an educational model.
Everyday wellbeing practices like mindfulness, that may help reduce stress and anxiety.
Ways to set healthy boundaries and maintain balance.
These are shared for personal awareness and self-care purposes, and not as professional treatment plans.
The final section ties everything together by exploring how compassion fatigue develops over time. You’ll come away with a clearer picture of how awareness, reflection, and proactive self-care can make a difference in preventing overwhelm.
By the end of the course, you’ll receive your diploma certification, a recognised award you can use for CPD or as a first step towards further learning in wellbeing and psychology.

Get instant access to our full library of courses and audio courses, plus entry to our Member Hub, exclusive benefits and member-only discounts.
Sign up today for our lock-in limited price of just £16.00 per month (billed annually)
Subscribe and SaveThe determination and enthusiasm of our students never ceases to impress us and there is nothing better than seeing our graduates go on to succeed in further education, work, business or just life in general!
Connect with us and join our 2.3 million followers on facebook

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and top stories related to mindfulness, health, history and much more.