Burnout among mental health professionals in the United States is alarmingly high, affecting the well-being of those tasked with supporting our most vulnerable populations. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 62 studies found that approximately 40% of mental health professionals experience significant emotional exhaustion, 22% suffer from depersonalization, and 19% report low levels of personal accomplishment (O’Connor et al, 2018). The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, with a pooled prevalence of burnout among medical staff, including mental health professionals, at 43.6% (Zhu, et al, 2023). This crisis in well-being directly impacts the quality of care provided to those in need.

Guidance counselors helping children and teens navigate post-pandemic classrooms face greater challenges than ever. Counselors often have heavy caseloads that require balancing administrative tasks, meetings, parental participation, and one-on-one counseling with tight schedules. High school students turn to counselors for college and career guidance and help with managing personal crises. Diversity among the student population demands that counselors have extraordinary cultural sensitivity. On top of that, educators are dealing with a growing number of students who have anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Counselors need help and specialized training.

Indraloka’s “Resilient Counselors Mastery Series,” a six-week program designed to empower public school guidance counselors to build personal resources and resilience to take on the additional challenges of their jobs, launched this summer in partnership with the Scranton School District through the Scranton Area Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence and Community Leadership. The program combines onsite retreats, virtual sessions, and holistic health practices that build resilience, foster wellbeing, and enhance leadership skills. Grounded in cutting-edge research on recovering from vicarious trauma and building resilience, Indraloka’s  Resilient Counselor’s Mastery Series has already demonstrated success, with participants reporting significant gains in their professional and personal well-being through the scientifically validated PROQuol (Professional Quality of Life Indicator—a well-established and validated tool):

• 12.8% increase in Compassion Satisfaction
• 8% reduction in Burnout
• 6% decrease in Compassion Fatigue

“Every day, these dedicated counselors pour their heart and care into guiding our children, and we are proud to stand alongside them in this essential endeavor. The Resilient Counselors Mastery Series is a testament to the deep commitment of the Scranton School District, and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and Community Leadership of the Scranton Area Foundation, to fostering a supportive and trauma-informed environment for our students,” said Indraloka founder Indra Lahiri, PhD. “Their investment in this initiative underscores the critical importance of equipping our guidance counselors with the tools and resilience they need to continue their vital work.”

Although everyone is facing their own set of circumstances, one thing is certain — everyone today is dealing with trauma on some level. Understanding how trauma manifests and how to build resilience to it through trauma-informed practices helps counselors serve students better while taking care of themselves too.

Counselors often give of themselves to their own detriment. It’s part of the personality of those who devote their lives to helping others. But giving from an empty cup can leave counselors critically depleted and cause a host of physical, mental, and emotional stresses. The Resilient Counselors Mastery Series helps counselors create self-care practices that rebuild their internal resources.

To launch the program,  Dr. Lahiri facilitated a five-hour retreat at the sanctuary and introduced participants to trauma-informed care principles and resilience-building techniques. They spent time relaxing with Indraloka’s rescued gentle farm animals and used journaling and interactive activities to promote empathy and relaxation. A qigong session demonstrated slow, mindful movement that helps restore energy and alleviate difficult emotions.

“The animal sanctuary offers a welcoming space to relax and rejuvenate. Though many of us are familiar with the concepts of resiliency, self-care, and trauma-informed practices, Indra presents them in a novel way,  through the lens of animal rescue and care farming,” enthused Elizabeth Hemphill, Supervisor of Mental Health Programs for the Scranton School District. “Meeting the animals and hearing their stories facilitated dialogue about the numerous ways we can care for ourselves and each other. Indra is a thoughtful and engaging presenter. She created the opportunity for us to explore new forms of self-care that we are excited to share with our colleagues and students.”

Indraloka emphasizes a holistic approach to building resilience. Led by Dr. Lahiri, an organizational psychologist who has been studying trauma-informed practices for well over a decade, the program incorporates long-established practices with the latest science on overcoming trauma. The result is participants feel empowered to confidently face challenges while learning to build support systems they can rely on. Instead of feeling depleted by the demands of their jobs, they know they have the tools to deal with difficult situations.

The “Resilient Counselors Mastery Series” is part of Indraloka Connects: Insight to Action, a groundbreaking consulting service designed to foster resilience, inclusion, and trauma-informed excellence in organizations. Indraloka offers employers unique experiences, including access to our sanctuary, team-building workshops with rescued animals, and a six-month leadership mastery program. Our services also include cultural transformation audits, resilient leader roundtables, and the creation of resilience councils to guide lasting, positive change.

In addition to “Indraloka Connects” and the “Resilient Counselors Mastery Series,” Indraloka provides other much-needed help to the community. The NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic at Indraloka offers low-cost veterinary services to income-qualified households and low-cost neutering and spaying to all households. The clinic also offers low-cost veterinary services to other area rescues and shelters that are members of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative.

What started as a one-person sanctuary that primarily rescued horses on a small farm in Bucks County, PA, has turned into a sanctuary that cares for more than 200 animals of 15 different species, with thousands of annual visitors. Indraloka hosts children’s day camps, music, art, and reading programs, public tours and events, and workshops throughout the year. The new mental health care programming will help create a healthier community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Dr. Lahiri is available for interviews.