Healing the Healers with Compassion – Exclusive Interview with Courtney Lozano

Courtney Lozano, LCSW, owner of Mosaic Wellness Consulting, provides counseling to cancer patients and their families while supporting healthcare professionals navigating burnout.

Courtney earned an MSW from Fordham University and worked in healthcare for more than 15 years, with most of her career dedicated to Oncology. She has provided emotional support to cancer patients while helping families cope with the complexities of caregiving. She developed a wellness program for cancer survivors, which was featured on The Steve Adubato Show, and was grateful to be nominated for the NJBIZ 40 Under 40 award.

Courtney Lozano, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

What inspired you to specialize in supporting mental-health and healthcare professionals through emotional wellness?

After many years working in oncology within a hospital setting, I witnessed the compassionate care and dedication the healthcare team shows to patients and their families throughout the cancer journey. Patients have a comprehensive team dedicated to addressing every aspect of treatment and recovery. Each patient was supported by a nurse navigator who guided them every step of the way, alongside their oncologist, social worker, and dietitian.

Yet when you look at that level of wrap-around care, it’s clear that healthcare professionals could benefit from a parallel level of support as well. I’ve seen firsthand the toll this emotionally demanding work can have on staff who help patients navigate life’s toughest battles and darkest moments. Healthcare professionals give so much of themselves to those they serve, but rarely have the time to process or decompress in between patients. While working in oncology, I developed a workplace wellness initiative focused on employee self-care and well-being, which was well-received by staff. Surprisingly, staff from various departments made it a priority to attend weekly sessions, including a dietitian, a nurse navigator, a billing specialist, a surgical oncologist, a genetics counselor, a social worker, and a marketing manager. At that time, I recognized a gap in support that needed to be filled. This realization inspired me to focus my work on supporting and empowering my fellow professionals.

How would you describe the unique “Mosaic” philosophy that guides your work?

Mosaic Wellness focuses on supporting those who support others through our “Healing the Healers” approach. Those who dedicate their lives to caring for others deserve the same compassionate care in return. Thankfully, mental health is on the radar now more than ever before. Our goal is to help restore balance and connection for healthcare workers and mental health clinicians who give so much of themselves to others. We nurture the well-being of professionals by “caring for the caregiver,” empowering them to sustainably continue their compassionate work.

How we help:

• Staff appreciation events that foster a culture of value and appreciation

• Workplace wellness workshops designed for professional development and emotional health

• Engaging in networking events that foster collaboration and meaningful connections

• 1-on-1 emotional support

The Mosaic Approach brings together compassion, creativity, and connection, helping professionals thrive both personally and professionally. For more information, view services here.

What are the most common burnout or compassion-fatigue issues you see in your clients?

A lot of what I hear comes back to the overall demands of our healthcare system in general. Many professionals feel overworked and understaffed with heavy caseloads, and the expectation to “push through” no matter how depleted they feel. For instance, I’ve had many clients share with me that they are constantly having to pick up extra shifts or are scheduled to be on call more than ever before. This certainly starts to take a toll and impacts their personal and family life. Some college students are already rethinking careers in healthcare because they see the challenges ahead and worry about feeling overwhelmed before they’ve even entered the field. The constant pressure can significantly impact personal and family time, leading to emotional exhaustion, decreased job satisfaction, and difficulty maintaining healthy boundaries between work and home life.

Can you walk us through how your one-on-one support differs from your workplace wellness packages?

Yes, Mosaic Wellness empowers both individuals and organizations to achieve emotional wellness and professional success through workplace wellness workshops and 1:1 support.

Workplace wellness workshops are educational, interactive presentations with a focus on professional development. Each presentation offers concrete takeaways on topics such as stress management and self-care, while helping participants recognize early signs of burnout and compassion fatigue. More information on workshops can be found here.

Individual 1:1 counseling offers professionals a safe space for support and emotional release. Together, we develop a customized support plan to facilitate personal growth and well-being. I create a safe space for professionals to reflect and process the challenging cases or heartbreaking tragedies that often go unspoken in their line of work, while also acknowledging and celebrating victories along the way. We set goals to safeguard work-life balance, set healthy boundaries, and find fulfillment “beyond the 9-5”. We focus on fostering a mindset shift, recognizing that emotional well-being is just as important as physical health. More information on 1:1 support can be found here.

What measurable benefits do clients and organizations typically experience from your interventions?

Work-related stress in healthcare settings doesn't just affect the individual, it can impact overall patient care. Stress and burnout can impact judgment, mood, and problem-solving abilities. Research consistently shows that engaging in wellness practices enhances job satisfaction, supports work-life balance, and promotes professional longevity.

Both the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) emphasize self-care as an ethical responsibility. The Codes of Ethics make it clear: nurses and social workers have a professional responsibility not only to care for the patients they serve, but also to care for themselves. Protecting their own well-being isn’t optional; it’s part of practicing ethically, sustainably, and safely.

When leadership prioritizes wellness, it sends a powerful message of support and compassion. By keeping wellness at the top of the agenda, organizations can empower their teams with the education, tools, and coping skills needed to manage stress, strengthen resilience, and foster a healthier workplace culture with stronger morale.

For example, some hospitals have implemented ‘Code Lavender,’ a program designed to provide emotional support and console the staff following a tragedy or an unexpected negative medical outcome.

In addition, “Schwartz Rounds” is a concept adopted by certain hospitals that offers an alternative to traditional Grand Rounds, focusing on the emotional impact of patient care, rather than the details of a treatment plan. These sessions provide a safe space for both clinical and non-clinical staff to share experiences fostering empathy, connection, well-being, and compassionate care.

How do you tailor your programs for individual practitioners versus larger organizational teams?

Mosaic Wellness provides workshops on key wellness topics, while also partnering with organizations to create tailored sessions that align with their team’s unique challenges and objectives. Presentations review key topics and offer concrete takeaways. Topics include stress management, self-care, finding fulfillment, boundary setting, and work-life balance. Check out workshop examples here.

If healthcare professionals are looking for more individualized support, I recommend 1:1 counseling. Together, we create a customized support plan tailored to their personal goals, while exploring their values and priorities to guide meaningful change.

What are the first signs someone should look out for that indicate they might need your services?

Research shows that early signs of burnout and compassion fatigue often include dreading going to work, increased absenteeism, and emotional withdrawal. You may find yourself thinking, “I don’t even care what happens if I don’t go in today,” or noticing a sense of numbness, disconnection, or reduced empathy toward others. These indicators suggest it may be time to seek support to restore balance and emotional well-being. These signs are a red flag for burnout. Communicating your needs to a supervisor is typically the first step, however, sometimes, working in a toxic environment prompts reflection on values and priorities, leading to the decision to seek a healthier opportunity elsewhere.

How do you help busy professionals embed self-care and stress-management tools into their daily routines?

There are many practical ways to weave self-care into your daily routine. The first step is noticing your stress levels and committing to prioritize your well-being.

Buddy system. Building peer support, through a mentor, trusted colleague, or supportive friend at work, provides a safe outlet for frustration, whether through a venting session or the need for a positive pep talk when needed.

Set boundaries. Only check and respond to work emails during your designated work hours. This helps protect your time and prevents others from taking advantage of your availability. When your shift is over, make it a priority to end your work day and resume responsibilities the next day. Recognize that the workload will still be there waiting for you in the morning. If your plate is already full, practice saying no to additional responsibilities, such as joining a planning committee or leading a new project, when you don’t have the time. Protecting your capacity is a key part of setting healthy boundaries.

Create a worry jar. This is a practical tool that allows you to let go of anxious thoughts and reduce ruination. Write each worry on a sticky note, and place it in the jar. Release your worries by shaking the jar, and imagining the worries dissolving. Or use a mantra that says something like, “it’s out of my mind and into the jar”. At the end of the month, open the jar and read your worries, and you will notice that many of your worries worked themselves out on their own! This is helpful, concrete evidence to prove to your brain that thoughts are not facts, and just because you have a negative thought doesn't mean it will come true. Next time, consider the opposite positive thought as a potential possibility.

Hang up thank you notes. Many helping professionals receive heartfelt notes from patients and families, but those messages often end up tucked away in a drawer. Instead, keep them visible in your workspace. On tough days, those reminders can ground you in your “why.” They help you reconnect with the purpose that brought you into this work in the first place. This helps to refocus your energy, to help you realize the special impact you’re making in patients’ lives.

Have something to look forward to. Plan something big or small. Coffee with a friend, a concert, schedule a date night, or even a weekend getaway. Whether you have a stressful or monotonous week, it makes the days go by quicker with some light at the end of the tunnel.

Recognize your body’s somatic responses to stress. Notice physical sensations such as tense shoulders, back pain, grinding teeth, or an upset stomach. Sometimes we experience pain or tension but don’t realize that it is stress-related. Once identified, plan strategies to address these signs and relieve tension.

Movement Integration: Stand while taking phone calls or consider light stretches while reviewing notes. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, or purposely park your car far away from the entrance. This keeps energy up and reduces fatigue. Pair movement with everyday activities, for example, do 10 squats every time you use the bathroom, or march in place while brushing your teeth!

Deep breathing. This helps the body physically release tension and reduces stress responses like rapid heartbeat or shallow breathing. Use a smartwatch to track your heart rate: First, take note of your current heart rate, then practice a few minutes of deep breathing, and check your heart rate again. Observe how your heart rate decreases as your body relaxes. This proves to ourselves with clear evidence that deep breathing actually helps calm our body down.

What is the most powerful transformation you’ve witnessed in a client after working with you?

One of the most powerful transformations I’ve witnessed was with a client who identified as a “people pleaser,” similar to many helping professionals. She often put her own needs and wants on the back burner to accommodate others, both at work and at home. She stayed at work late, picked up extra shifts, often missing family gatherings and her child’s baseball games. She said “yes” to joining committees and helping with extra projects even when she felt emotionally drained. This people-pleasing mentality was so ingrained in her identity that she didn’t recognize how overextending herself was leading to frustration and resentment.

Through our work together, we focused on assertive communication, boundary setting, self-worth, and self-advocacy in the workplace. Although her communication efforts didn’t lead to the outcome she hoped for with her supervisor, she ultimately chose to leave a toxic work environment for a position where she felt valued, recognized, and appreciated. This shift reflected her personal and professional growth, reclaiming her confidence and prioritizing her own well-being. She began to recognize her value and worth and use her voice. She felt like she was able to be a more present mother for her children, which was the most beautiful part of it all!

This transformation was powerful not only because she found a healthier work environment, but because she broke out of her comfort zone. She recognized her confidence, and value, proving that honoring your boundaries can lead to both personal and professional fulfillment.

For someone reading this who is feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start, what is your invitation or first step to reach out?

As helping professionals, we give so much of ourselves to those we serve, we never take the time to replenish our own energy. Many of us struggle to reach out for support or refuse to accept a helping hand, because we think we can do everything. In certain settings, we move from one patient to the next with little to no time to pause, process, or decompress. The emotional impact of challenging cases often goes unaddressed because we’re overworked and understaffed.

My first recommendation would be to find networking events designed for mental health and healthcare professionals to connect in person. Mosaic Wellness events focus on meeting like-minded professionals in similar fields, creating a catalyst for connection. I have hosted a hike, a cooking class, a mixology class, a charcuterie event, vision boards, puppy yoga, and more! One of the biggest benefits of these unique networking events is the opportunity to form genuine personal connections. While many attendees come to promote their business or share their expertise, what I hear most often is that they value the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals. That’s when I realized there was a gap that needed to be filled, offering a genuine space for bonding, not just for advertising. These events create space for authentic conversation, shared experiences, and meaningful relationships that go beyond business cards and brochures. Many professionals have made authentic connections that blossomed into genuine friendships from these events. Some examples of networking events can be found here.

If professionals are seeking additional emotional support, I would recommend 1:1 counseling where we will design a customized support plan and develop strategies for positive change toward personal and professional fulfillment. Together, we will identify tools to help manage challenges in a way that creates a valuable, supportive experience. More information on 1:1 support can be found here.

Why is it called Mosaic Wellness?

A mosaic design is created by combining tiny pieces of stone and glass to create a larger design. Looking closely, you cannot see what each piece represents or how it plays a part in the overall image. It’s not until you step back that you can see the big picture.

Similarly, life is made up of many small moments and experiences that come together to form a larger whole. Just as each piece of a mosaic is important in creating the final design, each moment and experience in life is important in shaping who we are and the overall story of our lives.

A mosaic takes something fragmented or broken and turns it into something beautiful. In life, we may experience challenges or hardships, but through our struggles, we can develop increased resilience and personal growth to create a positive outcome.

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