Operationalizing Compassion in the VR Process

Abstract

Literature in recent years has defined a construct of Compassion (e.g., Goetz, Keltner, & Simon-Thomas, 2010), and acknowledged its application to fields of service for patients and clients (e.g., Halifax, 2011). The utility of its components has also been explored recently in the field of rehabilitation counseling, and Compassion training suggested as helpful to promoting effectiveness in the practice (Stuntzner, 2014). In the present discussion, it is suggested that subprocesses of the compassion construct, (a) “witnessing another’s suffering” that (b) “motivates a subsequent (c) desire to help,” are a natural fit for the evaluate-judge-respond (E-J-R) elements within the case management system of public vocational rehabilitation (VR). A view of collective, organizational compassion is also presented, that may be similarly considered a fit for the larger VR mission and case management system. In this larger context, organizational compassion may be seen as supporting compassion’s subprocesses as they function within VR’s operational elements. As parallels are evident, and benefits presented, implications of compassion’s cultivation are suggested for the individual VR counselor, as well as the VR organization as a whole.