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Organizational Trauma Therapy

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We’ve all experienced negative experiences in the workplace. Sometimes to cope, we laugh about it, bond with other people who went through the same shit and unknowingly, carry those invisible wounds with us until it shows up in our next workplace. Oftentimes, we aren’t aware of what we’re going through until you leave the job or seek professional help to educate you so you understand what you have been through.


Organizational trauma is a type of trauma that is not discussed or talked enough about. Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in organizational restructuring to include layoffs, terminating employees, a lack of trust and empathy from the leadership team, feeling powerless due to organizational policies, and even at times, disregarding the safety and overall being of employees. 

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What exactly is organizational trauma and how do you know if they have been impacted? When most people think of trauma, the last place they think that trauma may occur would be at their workplace. So, what are some examples of organizational trauma? These can include:


  • Single events such as workplace violence or incident
  • Unexpected death of a colleague
  • Sudden departure of a longtime leader
  • Bullying
  • Sexual harassment
  • Microaggressions
  • Discrimination due to a disability, sexism, race, sexual orientation, and gender
  • Toxic bosses and co-workers


The above are just a few examples but there can be much more. Many times, it’s the small things that are not overt, subtle, and the small comments and actions that make you question yourself if you are just overacting, imagining it, or just too “sensitive.” You ask your coworkers if they noticed receiving the same treatment from your boss or that particular colleague and the response is usually “Oh! That’s just how they are. You just need to get to know them! They’re really nice once you understand them!” Which in turn, makes you doubt yourself and make you believe that you are indeed just too sensitive. When you start questioning yourself, you gaslight yourself, which means you think it’s all in your head. When this happens, you may start to feel alone, isolated, and feel that you can’t voice your opinions and thoughts. Work then becomes a very lonely, isolating place.

Symptoms related to organizational trauma may include: 

  • Emotional distress
  • Changes in behavior
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Changes in appetite
  • Self-isolation
  • Avoiding certain situations, places, or people


Organizational trauma does not only impact your work performance but also impacts your home life. It affects all aspects of your life and it consumes you. Your family and the people closest to you will start to notice the changes in you and observe how you are around them. They used to get the best of you and now they’re getting a shadow of you. You used to believe in yourself, your value, and your self-worth. Due to trauma at your workplace, you no longer believe that you are capable or good enough for yourself or other employers.


I call bullshit on those beliefs! You deserve to heal, believe in yourself, regain your confidence and be the smart badass that you know you are. Let’s work together so you can find your strength, value, and POWER. Schedule a free consultation to start healing from the corporate bullshit.

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