Trauma in the Workplace: Recognising Burnout, Stress & Healthy Boundaries

Work can be a source of purpose and connection, yet for many, trauma in the workplace is an ongoing reality marked by chronic stress and secondary trauma. Healthcare workers, educators, first responders and social‑service professionals often witness suffering and carry heavy caseloads. Even in corporate settings, toxic cultures, unrealistic expectations and lack of support can lead to burnout. Burnout is not just feeling tired; it is a profound depletion of mental and physical energy. In the context of trauma in the workplace, burnout often develops when chronic stress, emotional labour and lack of support go unaddressed. A 2024 meta‑analysis on stress and burnout among healthcare professionals defines burnout as a prolonged response to chronic interpersonal stressors and notes that it is characterised by exhaustion, cynicism and feelings of ineffectiveness [1]. Mismatches between workload and resources, lack of control, insufficient rewards, unfairness and value conflicts contribute to burnout [2].

Understanding Secondary Traumatic Stress and Compassion Fatigue

Professionals who work with trauma survivors may develop secondary traumatic stress (STS). STS occurs when providers absorb the emotional pain of clients and begin to experience symptoms similar to PTSD, intrusive thoughts, emotional numbing and hyperarousal. Over time, STS can lead to compassion fatigue, where the ability to empathize feels depleted. Secondary traumatic stress is a common but often overlooked form of trauma in the workplace, particularly in caregiving and helping professions. The 2025 scoping review “Strengths for Helping Professionals Exposed to Secondary Trauma” identifies protective factors that buffer against STS. Meaning‑making strengths, such as a belief in the purpose of one’s work, regulatory strengths like problem‑solving, mindfulness and reflection, and interpersonal assets like social support from colleagues and supervisors all reduce the impact of secondary trauma[3]. Work environments that offer space to process trauma and provide supportive supervision are likewise protective[4]. Trauma-informed approaches, such as EMDR therapy, can help professionals process distressing experiences without re-traumatisation.

 

Signs of Burnout and Trauma in the Workplace

Burnout and STS may manifest physically and emotionally. Common signs of trauma in the workplace may include:

1. Exhaustion and Sleep Problems: chronic fatigue, insomnia or sleeping too much. Unresolved trauma often shows up as insomnia or nightmares.
2. Increased Cynicism: feeling emotionally detached from work, clients or colleagues; negative or apathetic attitudes about the job.
3. Reduced Efficacy: decreased sense of accomplishment; feeling ineffective, no matter how hard you work.
4. Physical Symptoms: headaches, stomach issues, muscle tension and vulnerability to illnesses. Trauma and chronic stress increase inflammation, which is linked to many health problems.
5. Emotional Numbing or Irritability: difficulty feeling joy or compassion; anger and irritability at minor triggers.

Setting Boundaries and Fostering Resilience

Burnout thrives in environments that normalize overwork. To prevent or heal from burnout and STS, individuals and organisations can:

1. Establish workload boundaries: protect time off, take breaks and avoid checking work emails after hours. Leadership should model healthy boundaries and realistic expectations.
2. Cultivate peer support: regular debriefing sessions with supportive colleagues allow for processing difficult cases and sharing resources. Social support is a powerful protective factor[3].
3. Engage in mindfulness and grounding exercises: mindfulness practices reduce stress hormones and improve emotion regulation. At Elnita Ottey & Associates, clinicians teach grounding techniques like deep breathing and body scans to help staff and clients regulate nervous‑system responses.
4. Seek supervision or therapy: trauma‑informed therapists can provide a safe space to process work‑related stress, identify signs of STS early and develop self‑care plans.
5. Clarify values and purpose: reconnecting with the values that brought you into your profession can reframe challenges. When work aligns with personal values, it is easier to sustain empathy without burning out.

Organisational Strategies for a Trauma‑Informed Workplace

Employers play a crucial role in preventing burnout. Policies and culture must reflect trauma‑informed principles:

• Create safe spaces: designate quiet rooms or reflection spaces where employees can decompress during the day.
• Provide training: teach staff about trauma, STS and burnout; equip managers to recognise signs of distress and support their teams.
• Encourage employee input: involve staff in decisions about workload, workflow and scheduling to increase autonomy and control.
• Offer mental health benefits: ensure access to counselling services, support groups and flexible time off. Normalise using these services.

 

Conclusion

Burnout and secondary trauma are serious occupational hazards, and trauma in the workplace requires both systemic solutions and individual self-care. By recognising the signs early, setting boundaries, fostering supportive relationships and integrating mindfulness and trauma‑informed practices, professionals can continue to do meaningful work without sacrificing their well‑being. At Elnita Ottey & Associates in Monroe, North Carolina, therapists not only provide trauma therapy to clients but also educate organisations on creating healthier, more sustainable workplaces. Addressing trauma in the workplace early allows professionals and organisations to build resilience without sacrificing well-being.

💡 Trauma-informed therapy helps individuals understand how past experiences continue to impact the present. At Elnita Ottey & Associates, we specialize in EMDR therapy and somatic approaches designed to support meaningful, long-term healing.
📍 In-person sessions available in Monroe, NC and the Charlotte Metro area.
🌐 Virtual sessions offered in NC, SC, TN, OK, CO, OR, and VT.
➡️ Learn more at www.elnitaottey.com or find a certified EMDR therapist at emdria.org