Compassion Fatigue
A Restful Retreat for Heart-Centered Helpers
This course is a comprehensive look at a myriad of theories and techniques to use with clients suffering from trauma and addictions. There is both a didactic and an experiential component to this training, allowing for both learning and personal healing. Each camp was chosen for its natural beauty and peaceful surroundings — the perfect setting to rest, reflect, and reconnect with yourself. Between sessions, participants can enjoy swimming, scenic trails, massages, and cozy campfires under the stars. Delicious meals are prepared with care, comfortable hotel-quality rooms await your return, and the welcoming staff bring warmth, humor, and heart to every moment.
When working with addicted and/or traumatized clients leads to a Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder in Providers
Course Description
This course is designed to train, while at the same time heal trauma, addictions, and compassion fatigue in people in the helping professions. We will present a myriad of evidence-based treatment modalities that are useful when working with trauma and
addictions in clients, then offer the modality itself for participants to learn experientially and gain personal healing.
Course Objectives
➥ Learned evidence-based, trauma-informed theories and techniques
➥ Practiced methods that address both client trauma and addiction
➥ Experienced approaches that help alleviate personal compassion fatigue
➥ Gained tools to manage their own addictive compulsions
➥ Experienced some relief from related symptoms
Approved CEUs
➥ 16.25 CEUs Approved in Nebraska for Criminogenic, LADC, L(I)MHP Mental Health and Social Work
➥ 14 CEUs for Iowa Therapists and Social Workers
Our Speakers
Celeste (Heavilin) Penner
MSEd | LMHP
Celeste Heaivilin-Penner has been a psychotherapist since 2000, following 15 years as a mental-health educator and social-service provider. She specializes in trauma and addictions, drawing from her experience as a former Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor.
Betty "Kitty" Johnson
MA | LIMHP | LADC
Betty “Kitty” Johnson has been a licensed psychotherapist in private practice since 1990, specializing in trauma and addiction recovery. She is certified in EMDR (and serves as a Consultant-in-Training) and holds Master’s-Level certification in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (A.R.T.)
Celeste Heaivilin-Penner has been a psychotherapist since 2000, following 15 years as a mental-health educator and social-service provider. She specializes in trauma and addictions, drawing from her experience as a former Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor.
Her background includes roles as:
- Interventionist & Coalition Coordinator for the Central Nebraska Council on Alcoholism and Addictions
- Extension Educator/Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Health Educator at Wellco, Inc. and Community Development Specialist at DHHS
Celeste also has experience as a Social Services Resource Developer and Certified Stress Management Instructor.
Betty “Kitty” Johnson has been a licensed psychotherapist in private practice since 1990, specializing in trauma and addiction recovery. She is certified in EMDR (and serves as a Consultant-in-Training) and holds Master’s-Level certification in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (A.R.T.)
Kitty blends a variety of approaches—including music and art therapy, gestalt, and psychodrama—to meet each client’s unique needs. She also:
- Advocates for Hispanic immigrants and families affected by deportation
- Brought recovery therapy programs into the Buffalo County Jail
- Supervises counseling interns from area colleges
- Presents workshops on Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, Ethics, and Eating Disorders
Kitty is a NAADAC Approved Education Provider. Kitty is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Workshop Details
Dates & Pricing
Nebraska Dates
Thursday-Saturday
April 23rd-25th, 2026
OR
Thursday-Saturday
August 6th-8th, 2026
Iowa Dates
Thursday-Saturday
April 9th-11th, 2026
OR
Thursday-Saturday
August 27th-29th, 2026
Workshop Cost
Early Bird Pricing: $350
Register by February 1, 2026 for Early Bird Pricing
OR
Regular Pricing: $400
Full price after February 1, 2026
Policies
This price does not include room & board or any add-on options.
$50 Cancellation fee after February 1, 2026; No refunds within 2 weeks of the retreat dates.
Workshop Itinerary
10:15 – Sign-in
10:45 – Intros
11:00 – Compassion Fatigue
12:00 – Lunch
12:30 – Compassion Fatigue
1:15 – Inner Child
2:30 – Break
2:45 – Art & Music Therapy
4:00 – Family Sculptures
5:15 – Essential Oils
6:00 – Supper
8:00 – Breakfast
8:30 – Tapping
9:30 – Art & Music Therapy
10:30 – Break
10:45 – Gestalt
11:45 – Close
12:00 – Lunch
1:00 – Art & Music Therapy
2:00 – CBT
2:30 – CBT Relaxation/Mindfulness
3:15 – Break
3:30 – Worksheets
3:45 – Yoga
4:45 – Free Time!
6:00 – Supper
8:00 – Breakfast
8:30 – Brain interventions: EMDR, ART, etc.
9:00 – Spirituality
10:15 – Break
10:30 – Spirituality Cont’d
11:30 – Worksheets, Questions &
Evaluations
11:45 – Certificates & Closing
Venue & Lodging
Nebraska
Camp Comeca
Address:
75670 Road 417
Cozad, NE 69130
Costs:
➥ Meals Only (no overnights): $89/person
Camp Calvin Crest
Address:
2870 Co. Road 13
Fremont, NE 68025
Costs:
➥ Room & Board (Single): 2 Nights + 6 meals: $295/person
➥ Room (Double or Triple Rooms): Meals Not Included: $355 total (divide by 2 or 3+ persons)
➥ Meals (6 Meals): $65/person
➥ Meals Only (no overnights): $65/person
Iowa
Camp Quaker Heights
Address:
22605 V Ave.
Eldora, IA 50627
Costs:
➥ Room (3-Bed): 2 Nights – $150 total (Divide by 2 or 3 persons)
➥ Meals: 6 Meals – $48/person
➥ Bunk House (4 bunk beds): 2 Nights; Meals Not Included – $20/person
➥ Meals (6 Meals): $48/person
➥ Meals Only (no overnights): $48/person
Accreditation & Approved CEUs
Approved CEUs
This program has been approved for the following:
➥ 16.25 CEUs for LADCs in Nebraska
➥ 16.25 Criminogenic hours for Probation in Nebraska
➥ 14 CEUs by the Iowa Board of Certification
➥ Meets the criteria of an approved continuing education program for mental health therapists & social workers in both Iowa and Nebraska, and also psychologists in Iowa.
Accredidation
This program is ADA Compliant & is open to all A&D Counselors who meet program prerequisites.
This course has been approved by Betty “Kitty” Johnson, MA, LIMHP, LADC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #236542, Betty “Kitty” Johnson, MA, LIMHP, LADC is responsible for all aspects of the programming. Any disputes or grievances should be directed to either presenter. If not resolved, direct complaints to the licensing agencies. Ruth Stewart, RN, BSN was Co-Creator of the Compassion Fatigue Workshop.
Register
Ready to join us? Complete the registration form below to reserve your spot. You’ll be able to select your workshop dates, room type, and any meal options directly on the form. Once you’ve selected your options, you’ll have the option to pay online, or mail a check. Full payment must be received in order to secure your spot.