CRMGTPV X048 - Care for the Carer: The Importance of Cultivating Self-Compassion as a Helping Professional
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. When the workshop concludes, 988 workers will have a menu of compassionate self-care practices that can be implemented daily. They will also leave with a deeper understanding of why sustaining their own wellbeing is essential to effectively supporting the callers they serve.
Delivery Options
This training is constructed as a non-interactive, video-based asynchronous distance learning training.
Time to Completion
Total Asynchronous Time is approximately 2.75 hours.
Training Completion Requirements
- Participants must submit a pre-training survey, complete all coursework requirements, and pass the training post-test with a score of at least 80%. Unlimited attempts are allowed.
- The post-training evaluation survey will be immediately available once the required coursework and post-test are finished, and the evaluation must be completed to receive CE credit.
Technology Requirements
- Reliable internet connection
- Computer, laptop, or tablet capable of accessing online course materials
- Ability to stream video and interactive content
- Recommended browsers: Google Chrome or Firefox
Additional Technology Information
This course uses H5P to provide interactive course content to learners in the form of interactive videos, interactive presentations, and more. If you require assistance in or experience difficulties completing assignments that use H5P, please contact the COM Digital Accessibility Coordinator at DigitalAccessibility@osumc.edu. Accommodation and assistance will be arranged for you as appropriate free from penalty.
What You’ll Learn
- 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, empathic support to those they serve.
What You’ll Earn
- This training is approved for 2.75 CE clock hours for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio.
Social workers completing this training will receive 2.75 clinical continuing education clock hours under ACE.
Additional Information
Development Date: May 2026
Target Audience: 988 crisis call line staff and other human services professionals
Content Level: Beginner
Training Outline
- Connecting CFT and PVT to compassion fatigue and emotional sustainability
- Understanding the “tricky brain”: Overview of Dr. Paul Gilbert’s CFT and its relevance to caregiving roles
- 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
- Integrating self-compassion into daily practice: Linking CFT and PVT principles into sustainable self-care routines
Instructor
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.
Continuing Education Approvals
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.
The Ohio State University College of Social Work, (Provider: 1628), is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The Ohio State College of Social Work maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 4/30/25-4/30/28. Social workers completing this course receive 2.75 clinical continuing education credits.
Certificates & CE Reporting
CE certificates will be available for download in your learner portal within 1 business day after submitting the evaluation survey.
Hours for those with Ohio licenses that are submitted with the evaluation survey will be reported to CE Broker every 14 days (twice per month).
⚠️ Note: You may only complete this training once for CE credit. You may revisit the content, but only one certificate will be issued and credit will only be reported to CE Broker one time.
Cancellations, Refunds, Grievances, Accessibility Requests & Learning
Please visit the Policies section of our website for more information on our processes for cancellations, refunds, grievances, training completions & certificates, participant conduct, and accessibility requests and learning accommodations.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you require an accommodation to participate in this training, please contact CSW Accessibility as early as possible and in advance of the training start date by email at csw-accessibility@osu.edu or call 614-688-1657. Requests received at least 14-days prior to the date you plan to begin a training will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the College will make every effort to meet requests that we receive regardless of lead time.
Contact Us
For questions about the enrollment process, payment options, technology, or training records, please submit an inquiry and our Enrollment Support team will assist you within 24 hours during business days.
If you have any questions, concerns or feedback about the training content or delivery format, please contact the 988 training team at 988trainings@osu.edu. For questions related to the training content, our office will facilitate communication with the training instructor on your behalf and connect you, if applicable. Presenter contact information will be provided within the training for questions, feedback, or comments.
Email: 988trainings@osu.edu
Website: csw.osu.edu/continuing-education/988-lifeline-series