Overview

Caring for others is deeply rewarding, but it can also take its toll. This short, foundational self-paced activity is designed to help health professionals recognise the signs of vicarious trauma and burnout, and develop strategies to sustain themselves in demanding roles.

Across two focused chapters, you’ll explore the importance of self-care, learn how to integrate practical strategies into daily life, and create your own tailored self-care plan. You’ll also gain insight into the impact of vicarious trauma and discover resources that support resilience and reflective practice. Completing this activity will not only enhances your wellbeing, but also strengthen your capacity to provide compassionate, sustainable care to the families you support.

Upon completion, participants receive a CPD-recognised microcredential in Self-care and digital badges to showcase their achievement.

Level of Learning

Foundational. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic.

Target audience

This activity is suitable for health professional including psychologists, psychology students, social workers, general practitioners, occupational therapists, nurses, midwives, allied health practitioners, academics, and human resource professionals.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

Related activities

• Professional certificate in perinatal mental health - Foundational microcredential 8 CPD hours
• Birth trauma (Intermediate) 2 CPD hours
• Perinatal loss & grief (Intermediate) 2 CPD hours

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• recognise the signs of vicarious trauma experienced by perinatal health professionals,
• describe evidence-based self-care strategies that support emotional, cognitive, and physical wellbeing in practice,
• reflect on personal values, boundaries, and habits that influence self-care and professional sustainability, and
• develop a personalised self-care plan that integrates individual needs, workplace realities and ethical responsibilities.

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