On Friday 21st April 2023 The Psychologists Protection Society invited Patricia Allen-Garrett to speak on the topic “Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue – The Cost of Caring”. Patricia Allen-Garrett works as a humanistic and integrative psychotherapist in private practice and incorporates somatic and parts work into her client-work. The practitioner’s empathy and ability to witness are key aspects of not just our professional ability but also of our humanity. However, when we are repeatedly exposed to traumatic stories or seemingly intractable problems, our sense of safety in the world can change, our compassion can become eroded and we can begin to feel a range of responses such as feeling helpless, hopeless, de-skilled, exhausted, confused, etc.