A Call for Self-Compassion in Social Work Education

ABSTRACT

Many social work students approach the end of their formal training unprepared to utilize self-care approaches to prevent burnout. Providing students more comprehensive self-care training can help address this issue. One approach to fostering self-care and addressing stress and burnout in social work students is the attitude and practice of self-compassion (SC; i.e., compassion directed inward). Training in SC can be helpful, as it has been shown to be effective in addressing stress and burnout, as well as enhancing practice. This article explores the benefits of integrating an SC approach within professional social work education. A definition, review of the SC literature, and a conceptual sketch for integrating SC approaches in social work education are presented.

KEYWORDS:

• Burnout
• mindfulness
• self-care
• self-compassion
• social work education

Acknowledgment

The author would like to thank Marion Bogo, Neelu Walia, and Roz Spafford for their abundant encouragement, inspiration, and perceptive feedback and review of this article.