Well@Work

 In this episode of the Well at Work podcast, Dr. Tracy Clemans introduces the practice of self-compassion, a powerful skill to help child-serving and helping professionals care for themselves through difficult times. Dr. Clemans explains that self-compassion has two sides: the "yin" side, which involves comforting, soothing, and validating yourself, and the "yang" side, which involves protecting, providing for, and motivating yourself with kindness. Through the story of Marcus, a therapist experiencing secondary traumatic stress, she illustrates how both sides work together, one helping you sit with difficult feelings and the other helping you take meaningful action to improve your situation. Whether you're feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stretched thin by the demands of your work, this episode offers a practical, research-backed approach that reduces burnout, lowers stress, and builds resilience, with regular practice becoming one of the most powerful tools you have to stay well at work. 

In this episode of the Well at Work podcast, Dr. Holly Huber-Gifford introduces the "Dropping Anchor" grounding skill, a practical technique to help child-serving professionals manage stress and stay present in the moment. Using the metaphor of anchoring in turbulent seas, Dr. Huber-Gifford walks listeners through a brief, step-by-step exercise designed to reduce anxiety and build emotional stability on the job. Whether you're navigating a difficult encounter or simply feeling overwhelmed, this skill offers a simple way to steady yourself, and with regular practice, a more resilient foundation for staying well at work.

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Tracy Clemans PsyD, CSW discusses Skills for Psychological Resilience after Loss. 

Tracy Clemans is the AWARE Project Coordinator and a clinician at the University of Kentucky Center on Trauma and Children. 

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Holly Huber Gifford discusses reflective supervision as a strategy to enhance staff member’s wellbeing.

Holly Huber Gifford, Ph.D. is a post-doctoral scholar at the University of Kentucky Center on Trauma and Children.

Dr. Ginny Sprang discusses strategies for Creating Effective Organizational Change Toward Being Secondary Traumatic Stress Informed

Dr. Ginny Sprang explains the self-regulation strategy PRN and shares how it may reduce unwanted symptoms of stress to boost well-being. 

Dr. Ginny Sprang is a professor of psychiatry in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and is the Executive Director of the University of Kentucky Center on Trauma and Children (CTAC). She is also the principal investigator of the Secondary Traumatic Stress Innovations and Solutions Center at CTAC. 

Stephanie Gusler, Ph.D. talks with us about how supervisors can support their supervisees who may be experiencing secondary traumatic stress. Specific tips are provided to help supervisors become more STS-informed, assess areas of need related to providing STS-informed supervision, and where to access resources. 

Dr. Gusler is an assistant professor and clinician at the University of Kentucky’s Center on Trauma and Children.4

On this episode, Dr. Jessica Eslinger shares with us about how having a healthy peer network can help manage symptoms of secondary traumatic stress and offers tips for how to develop an effective peer network. This podcast is provided through a grant from SAMHSA to the Department of Behavioral Health Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities and the UK Center on Trauma and Children.

Dr. Eslinger is an assistant professor and a clinician at the University of Kentucky’s Center on Trauma and Children.

On this episode, Alex Clark explains how trauma exposure impacts mental and physical health and how peer support, like Resilience Buddies, can mitigate secondary traumatic stress (STS) symptoms. The episode offers practical tips for selecting and working with a Resilience Buddy, including setting goals, maintaining confidentiality, and engaging in self-care activities together.

Alex Clark, MA, MDiv, LMFT is the Project Coordinator of the Secondary Traumatic Stress Innovations and Solutions Center and a clinician at the University of Kentucky Center on Trauma and Children

Dr. Tracy Clemans helps us understand what moral distress is and how it can arise throughout one’s career, especially during times of elevated stress. Symptoms of moral distress are discussed, as well as tips for managing moral distress should it occur. This podcast is provided through a grant from the Department of Behavioral Health Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities and the UK Center on Trauma and Children 

Dr. Tracy Clemans is a psychologist and training specialist at the University of Kentucky’s Center on Trauma and Children.