Trauma, Resilience, and Compassion Fatigue: A Conversation with Dhavy Patel

In this episode of The Clinical Moment, hosts Amy Davis and Casey Baker welcome Dhavy Patel, a temporary licensed mental health counselor at LSI, to discuss the complexities of trauma and its impact on both clients and clinicians. Dhavy shares insights from his recent presentation on compassion fatigue and introduces the use of poetry therapy as a powerful tool for reflection and healing among helping professionals.

The conversation explores common misconceptions about trauma, the ways trauma can manifest in the body and mind, and why responses to traumatic experiences vary widely across individuals. Dhavy discusses practical clinical approaches including somatic awareness, trauma timelines, and person-centered engagement to support clients in understanding their experiences and moving toward healing.

The episode also addresses the emotional toll trauma work can have on clinicians, highlighting the importance of professional support, self-compassion, and recognizing early signs of burnout or dysregulation. Throughout the discussion, Dhavy emphasizes resilience, reminding listeners that healing is possible, even after complex and long-standing trauma, and that progress often begins with small, meaningful steps.

This episode offers valuable insights for clinicians, helping professionals, and anyone navigating their own healing journey.

Link to Dhavy's Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/dhavy-patel-des-moines-ia/1495524