How to Support Clients Disclosing Trauma: A Guide for Career Professionals

-By Sharon Graham, Founder and Chair of Career Professionals of Canada.-

As a career professional, you play a pivotal role in supporting individuals who have experienced trauma. Trauma can stem from various life events—such as job loss, workplace harassment, educational challenges, abuse, or personal setbacks—and has a profound impact on living, learning, and working. Integrating Trauma-Informed Care into your practice enables you to provide a safe, validating environment for clients as they navigate their career and life journeys.

Many of the principles of Trauma-Informed Care may already be reflected in your work. For example, when you guide a client through the emotional aftermath of job loss, your empathy and reassurance offer a foundation of hope.

Supporting Clients Across Living, Learning, and Working

Trauma does not occur in isolation—it often impacts multiple aspects of a client’s life, including personal growth, education, and career. Career Professionals of Canada’s Certified Work-Life Strategists understand how past experiences shape their current challenges and aspirations.

• Living: Clients may struggle with self-esteem or trust due to traumatic events in their personal lives. Your empathy can help them rebuild confidence.
• Learning: Educational trauma, such as bullying or discrimination, can leave clients feeling unworthy or incapable of achieving their goals. You can empower them to redefine their potential.
• Working: Trauma from job loss, workplace harassment, or burnout often leaves clients feeling powerless. By focusing on their strengths, you can help them regain a sense of control over their career path.

Understanding the Complexity of Trauma and Disclosure

Trauma is deeply personal, and its effects vary widely from person to person. Whether stemming from childhood abuse, workplace discrimination, or unexpected life events, trauma often carries feelings of shame, self-blame, or mistrust. These emotions can make it challenging for clients to disclose their experiences, even long after the traumatic event.

When clients share their trauma, it reflects a significant act of trust and vulnerability. It is crucial to respond with compassion and without judgment.

Responding with Empathy and Validation

Your response to a client’s disclosure of trauma should prioritize empathy and validation. Here are some strategies:

• Acknowledge Their Experience: “I’m sorry you’ve gone through this. You didn’t deserve it.” Statements like this validate their pain and emphasize that they are not at fault.
• Recognize Their Trust: “Thank you for trusting me with your story.” Acknowledging their courage can help them feel safe and supported.
• Emphasize Their Innocence: “What happened to you is not your fault.” Survivors often internalize blame, and hearing this reassurance is vital.

Avoiding Harmful Responses

While you may naturally feel surprised, upset, or even unsure how to respond, some reactions can unintentionally harm your client’s healing process:

• Avoid Judging Their Actions or Timeline: Questions like, “Why didn’t you do something?” may reinforce feelings of inadequacy or guilt. Instead, focus on their bravery in sharing now.
• Don’t Pressure Forgiveness: Healing from trauma is a personal journey. Statements such as, “You should try to forgive and move on,” can feel dismissive of their pain.

Creating a Trauma-Informed Practice

As a career professional, you are not expected to be a therapist, but you can create a trauma-informed environment that fosters safety and trust:

• Be Fully Present: When a client shares their story, give them your full attention without rushing to provide solutions.
• Validate All Emotions: Trauma can trigger a wide range of emotions, from anger to relief. Reassure clients that whatever they feel is valid.
• Ask How You Can Help: “How can I best support you?” This question respects their autonomy and lets them identify their needs.

Encouraging Professional Support Without Pressure

While you can provide significant emotional support, clients may benefit from speaking with a professional therapist. You might say: “I’m here for you, and I also think speaking with a trauma specialist could provide additional support. Let me know if I can help you find someone.”

This gentle approach respects their autonomy and avoids overwhelming them.

The Certified Work-Life Strategist Advantage

Through your work, you demonstrate that past trauma does not define their future. Instead, with the right support, clients can find resilience, purpose, and success in living, learning, and working. This is the heart of what it means to be a Certified Work-Life Strategist (CWS).

Equip yourself with the skills to navigate trauma-sensitive situations with care. CPC’s comprehensive Certified Work-Life Strategist Course and resources including The Canadian Career Strategist a comprehensive pdf eGuide are designed to deepen your understanding of Trauma-Informed Care while reinforcing your commitment to purposeful kindness and professional excellence.