Episode 6: When the Heart Can’t Hold It All: A Conversation with Beverly Kyer on Compassion Fatigue
In this episode of CASAT Conversations, we sit down with Beverly Kyer—best-selling author, clinical social worker, and nationally recognized speaker on compassion fatigue. With more than three decades of experience in trauma recovery and emotional well-being, Beverly has dedicated her life to supporting those who serve others, particularly professionals working in high-stress environments.
Her career spans pediatric oncology, psychiatry, foster care, and veteran support—most notably with Vietnam veterans through the VA in Bronx, New York. She’s also spent years providing guidance as a high school counselor, helping students and staff navigate emotional challenges. After experiencing two serious health crises, Beverly shifted from full-time work to self-employment, using her voice to advocate for awareness and healing around secondary and vicarious trauma.
Today, Beverly educates, coaches, and inspires others to recognize the toll of caregiving and build strategies for sustainable service. Her work emphasizes the importance of boundaries, resilience, and reconnecting with a deeper sense of purpose.
In this episode, Beverly discusses:
- The personal and professional experiences that shaped her path
- Lessons she wishes she had learned earlier in her career
- A career-defining breakthrough that continues to guide her work
- How she cultivated resilience while supporting others through trauma
- What continues to make this work deeply meaningful
- Her advice for those entering the field of mental health and human services
Join us for a powerful conversation on purpose, perseverance, and the vital importance of caring for the caregiver.
Beverly Kyer
Beverly Kyer is a respected trainer, speaker, and coach specializing in compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. She holds a Master’s in Social Work and is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. Her postgraduate credentials span trauma-informed counseling, PTSD, social research, and employee assistance coordination.
Over the course of her career, Beverly has worked with diverse populations—including children in oncology units, individuals navigating psychiatric conditions, veterans, foster youth, and students in urban school systems. Her work with the Veterans Administration and years in foster care and education gave her a unique perspective on the emotional labor required of those in helping roles.
After confronting her own health challenges, Beverly reoriented her career to focus on education and prevention. She now lectures across the country, equipping professionals with the tools to recognize burnout, maintain emotional balance, and stay connected to their “why.”
Beverly lives in Northern California near the Delta and enjoys oil painting, music, movies, and reading. She is the proud mother of two sons and an adopted daughter, all of whom embody the compassion she values so deeply.
This episode features the song “My Tribe” by Ketsa, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
