OAUW Training Opportunities
At Oshkosh Area United Way, we believe strong nonprofits are essential to a strong community. In addition to connecting volunteers and collaborating on key community issues, we offer professional development opportunities to help nonprofit staff, board members, and volunteers grow their skills and capacity. These free trainings are one more way we support the organizations doing vital work across southern Winnebago County—by investing in people, strengthening partnerships, and building a more connected, and resilient community.
Have a burning topic you’d like to discuss? Send your agenda suggestions in advance to amy@oshkoshunitedway.org.
FREE, IN-PERSON TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
Supporting Those Who Support Others
Understanding Vicarious Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, & Sustainable Self-Care
WHEN:
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
8:15 a.m. | Check-In
8:30 a.m. | Session Starts
WHERE:
Oshkosh Area United Way
16 Washington Ave., Oshkosh, WI 54901
Location is subject to change based on registration. Registered participants will be notified of any location updates.
Halie Nabbefeld, Director of Education
and Engagement
Halie Nabbefeld serves as Director of Education and Engagement at Reach Counseling and has a passion for using education and prevention to create safer, more informed communities.
She holds a Master of Science in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.
Heidi Paessler, Clinical Director
Heidi Paessler serves as Clinical Director at Reach Counseling. She holds a
master’s degree in Clinical Mental
Health Counseling from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point.
She is also certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT),
is a Certified Clinical Trauma
Professional (CCTP), and has completed Phase 1 Brainspotting training.
Supporting others through difficult experiences can take a toll on those who help.
Join us and Halie Nabbefeld and Heidi Paessler of Reach Counseling for an engaging, trauma-informed training focused on recognizing vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue—and building practical, sustainable strategies for self-care and self-compassion.
Who Should Attend?
This training is designed for anyone whose roles involve supporting, serving, or working alongside people who may be experiencing trauma or difficult life circumstances.
You do not need to work directly with individuals affected by trauma to benefit. Whether you provide direct support or contribute through another role, this training will offer insight and practical tools to help you care for your own well-being while continuing to show up for and support others.
What You’ll Learn
This interactive training will combine education, reflection, practical application, and opportunities for engagement around two connected areas:
Vicarious Trauma & Compassion Fatigue
Explore how repeated exposure to others’ traumatic experiences can affect people in helping, advocacy, and service-oriented roles.
Participants will learn to:
- Understand vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.
- Recognize physiological, emotional, relational, and performance-related signs.
- Identify early signs that additional support or intervention may be needed.
- Understand how compassion fatigue can affect the people we serve.
Self-Care & Self-Compassion
Explore realistic, sustainable approaches to self-care and how supportive practices can become part of everyday life.
Participants will:
- Explore the role of self-compassion in personal and professional well-being.
- Identify barriers that can interfere with self-care.
- Discover practical strategies to incorporate into everyday routines.
- Use a Self-Care Wheel activity to reflect on balance across different areas of self-care.
You’ll Leave With
By the end of the training, participants will better understand how trauma-related work can affect their personal and professional well-being, become more aware of their own signs and needs, and gain practical strategies for caring for themselves so they can continue supporting others in healthy, sustainable ways.
With the busy holiday season approaching, it’s a timely opportunity to put those strategies into practice right away.
Registration for this free, 90-minute session is required and closes on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. — RSVP early to reserve your spot.
Please feel free to share this with others who may benefit.
Questions? Contact Amy at amy@oshkoshunitedway.org or call (920) 651-3051.
About Reach Counseling:
Reach Counseling works to heal lives and transform communities through trauma-informed services that include prevention education, victim advocacy, counseling, treatment, and community outreach. Their work is grounded in an understanding of trauma and abuse and a commitment to supporting healing for individuals and communities.
About Oshkosh Area United Way:
Oshkosh Area United Way mobilizes people, partnerships, and resources to expand access to Lifelong Learning, Health & Wellness, and Enabling Resources across southern Winnebago County.
By bringing people and organizations together, we help address evolving community needs, fill critical gaps, and create opportunities for every person to reach their full potential.
United is the Way.