Healing takes a ‘toll’ and how mental health providers cope matters

Mental health providers are trained to guide others through trauma, yet their own exposure to clients’ suffering can take a significant toll. Studies show that between 40% and 85% of providers experience compassion fatigue or secondary traumatic stress—key signs of reduced professional quality of life. These stressors are often ongoing and layered, and when combined with limited coping tools and a sense that they have little control over their circumstances, the impact can be even greater.