10.1 Chapter Learning Objectives and Overview
Learning Objectives
The following learning objectives tell you what is most important in this chapter. Use these statements as a guide to make sure you get the most out of this chapter.
- Describe and compare career options in the overlapping areas of criminal justice and behavioral health.
- Discuss the rewards and challenges associated with work in the helping professions.
- Explain the importance of workplace satisfaction in counteracting workplace fatigue, identifying specific ways to increase well-being.
Key Terms
Look for these important terms in the text in bold. Understanding these terms will help you meet the learning objectives of this chapter. You can find definitions for these terms at the end of the chapter.
- Burnout
- Certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC)
- Compassion fatigue
- Compassion satisfaction
- Correctional officer
- Criminal defense attorney
- Depersonalization
- Forensic psychologist
- Mental health counselor
- Probation officer
- Prosecutor
- Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
- Psychiatrist
- Secondary traumatic stress
- Self-care
- Social worker
- Vicarious resilience
- Vicarious traumatization
- Victim advocate
Chapter Overview
Throughout this textbook, we have discussed the important work done by the criminal justice and behavioral health professionals who serve our focus population: justice-involved people with mental disorders. This chapter takes a closer look at a number of these professional roles, including the requirements for entry and some basics about the work involved. Short videos are linked throughout to give you a chance to hear directly from people who do this work. Perhaps one of the in-demand roles discussed in this chapter will inspire you as you are investigating career options for yourself (figure 10.1).
The careers mentioned in this chapter are impactful and rewarding, which is generally why people choose them. Professionals in these roles want to help others and improve their communities. However, these helping careers also come with challenges, including the potential for the helper to be harmed in the course of their work. This chapter focuses specifically on the potential for mental and emotional harm that can result from regular engagement with people who have been, or currently are, hurt, victimized, or otherwise suffering. Awareness of these job-related risks, and taking proactive steps to counteract them, is important for sustaining effectiveness and satisfaction in your chosen work.
Licenses and Attributions for Chapter Learning Objectives and Overview
Open Content, Original
“Chapter Overview” by Anne Nichol is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Open Content, Shared Previously
Figure 10.1. Photo by Austin Chan is licensed under the Unsplash License.
