The Development and Feasibility of a Novel Group Intervention to Support Helping Professionals in Metabolizing Suffering and Engaging Strengths: The CHRYSALIS Program

• Published in: International journal of group psychotherapy 2024-04, Vol.74 (2), p.177-216
• Main Authors: Captari, Laura E., Choe, Elise Ji Young, Crabtree, Sarah A., Sandage, Steven J., Gerstenblith, Judith A., Stein, Laura B., Hydinger, Kristen R., Stavros, George
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Burnout; Burnout, Professional - prevention & control; Caregiving; Chaplains; Clergy; Clinical trials; Efficacy; Feasibility; Feasibility Studies; Female; Group dynamics; Groups; Health Personnel; Helping professionals; Humans; Internet; Intervention; Male; Medical personnel; Mental health; Mental health professionals; Middle Aged; Navigation; Occupational hazards; Occupational health; Psychotherapy, Group - methods; Resilience; Resilience, Psychological; Self care; Spirituality; Vicarious trauma; Well being
• ISSN: 0020-7284; 1943-2836
• DOI: 10.1080/00207284.2024.2329565

This feasibility study reports on the development and initial evaluation of a novel online intervention for helping professionals (HPs; i.e. mental health professionals, chaplains, clergy) designed to (a) address occupational hazards, such as burnout and vicarious traumatization, and (b) promote well-being and flourishing at work. In contrast with competency and self-care focused models, the CHRYSALIS (Catalyzing Helping Professionals' Resilience, VitalitY, Spirituality, Authentic Living, and Inner Strength) intervention centers the self of the provider, explores cultural and spiritual contexts, and attends to systemic challenges. As part of a larger randomized controlled trial evaluating two program formats, the group format entails eight online sessions exploring strengths that can promote well-being, including processing, relational, vitalizing, orienting, and agentic capacities. To pilot test this framework and establish proof of concept, this study analyzed data from 41 HPs who had been randomly assigned to the group condition and completed surveys at four time points. Quantitative results indicated significant reductions in vicarious traumatization and burnout as well as increased well-being and meaning in work. Qualitative results suggest the intervention fostered relational support, cultivated new perspectives, and increased engagement with strengths, positively impacting participants' work and navigation of caregiving systems. Feedback about cohesion and group dynamic challenges in an online format informed further program development. This study provides initial support for the feasibility and efficacy of the group format of the CHRYSALIS intervention as a creative means to address HPs' risk for occupational hazards and promote holistic formation in a relational context.