Rooted and Rising: Building a Stronger, Healthier Workforce

The Monthly Mindset Column - November 2025

By Melanie Pignotti, LCPC, CAC Chief Executive Officer

Before I became CEO, I spent years in direct service, working with children and families impacted by trauma. I’ve felt the slow erosion of compassion fatigue. I’ve carried the invisible weight of secondary trauma. And I’ve learned, through experience and reflection, that helping professionals need help, too. 

That’s why CAC’s annual Symposium isn’t just another event; it’s a cornerstone of our mission. It’s a space created intentionally for those who show up every day for others: therapists, educators, social workers, nurses, first responders. These professionals are the backbone of our community’s healing, and their well-being directly affects the quality of care they provide. 

We prioritize this Symposium because we know that healthy professionals deliver better mental health, social and community services. When we invest in their resilience, we’re investing in stronger outcomes for children, families and communities. 

Let’s face it: everybody knows somebody who has been affected by child abuse. Whether it’s a friend, a client, a neighbor or a loved one, this issue touches all of us. Helping professionals are often the first to notice, the first to intervene and the first to offer hope. But they can’t do that effectively if they’re overwhelmed, unsupported or running on empty. 

Our Symposium is designed to change that. It’s where we share evidence-based practices, trauma-informed strategies and real-world tools for emotional sustainability. It’s where we talk openly about burnout, boundaries and the importance of recovery. And it’s where we remind each other that healing is a shared journey. 

Here are two prevention strategies we emphasize: 

• Practice intentional self-care and work-life balance. This goes beyond occasional rest; it’s about creating sustainable routines, setting boundaries and honoring your limits so you can continue to serve with clarity and compassion. 

• Prioritize self-awareness. Whether through journaling, supervision or mindfulness, regular check-ins help professionals recognize when they’re nearing burnout and take steps to recalibrate before it’s too late. 

This work is hard. It’s also sacred. And it deserves spaces like our symposium where professionals can recharge, reconnect and recommit to their purpose. 

To every helping professional reading this: thank you. Your work matters. Your well-being matters. And we’re here to support you every step of the way. 

Let’s keep showing up for each other and for the communities we serve. Because when those who heal are cared for, entire communities rise.

Registration for the February 20, 2026, symposium is now open. Register on Eventbrite today! $30/individual or $25/person when three or more team members register together.